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Engine Fire Protection: Powerplant practice questions

Five original questions on engine fire protection, each with the answer, an explanation and an FAA-H-8083-32B page reference.

1. What is the most common engine fire-extinguishing agent still in use?
  1. Carbon dioxide
  2. Halon 1301
  3. Water-glycol
Show answer

B. Halon 1301 It works well, has relatively low toxicity, is noncorrosive and needs no cleanup.

Reference: FAA-H-8083-32B, Ch. 9, p. 9-7

2. What kind of sensitivity does a continuous-loop detector system lack?
  1. Sensitivity to overheat
  2. Rate-of-heat-rise sensitivity
  3. Sensitivity anywhere along the loop
Show answer

B. Rate-of-heat-rise sensitivity Continuous-loop systems are overheat systems that complete a circuit at a set temperature.

Reference: FAA-H-8083-32B, Ch. 9, p. 9-3

3. What is installed in the outlet of an extinguisher discharge valve?
  1. A cartridge (squib) and a frangible disc
  2. A thermal fuse only
  3. A check valve and filter
Show answer

A. A cartridge (squib) and a frangible disc Firing the squib ruptures the disc and releases the agent.

Reference: FAA-H-8083-32B, Ch. 9, p. 9-8

4. Which of these is an example of a spot detector system?
  1. Continuous-loop system
  2. Thermal switch system
  3. Kidde system
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B. Thermal switch system Spot systems use individual sensors; thermocouple and optical systems are other examples.

Reference: FAA-H-8083-32B, Ch. 9, p. 9-2

5. In the Kidde continuous-loop system, what are the two wires embedded in?
  1. An Inconel tube filled with thermistor core material
  2. A rubber hose filled with nitrogen
  3. A copper tube with eutectic salt only
Show answer

A. An Inconel tube filled with thermistor core material The Fenwal system instead uses an Inconel tube packed with eutectic salt and a nickel wire center.

Reference: FAA-H-8083-32B, Ch. 9, p. 9-4

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What does the Powerplant test cover on engine fire protection?

The Aviation Mechanic Powerplant ACS lists engine fire protection as one of its areas. The FAA reference for this material is FAA-H-8083-32B.