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APU Fire Detection and Extinguishing System

Filed Under: Engine Fire Protection Systems

The APU fire protection system is similar in design to engine fire protection systems, but there are some differences. The APU is often operated with no personnel in the flight deck and; the APU fire protection system can operate in an unattended mode on the ground with the engines not running. If there is an APU fire in the unattended mode, the fire extinguisher discharges automatically. The APU operates in the attended mode when at least one engine is running. If there is an APU fire in this mode, the crew discharges the bottle manually. Fire switches are located on the cargo fire/ engine control panel and the service and APU shutdown panel located outside the airplane on the nose landing gear. [Figure 9-28]

Figure 9-28. P40 service and APU shutdown panel.
Figure 9-28. P40 service and APU shutdown panel. [click image to enlarge]
APU Fire Warning

If there is an APU fire, the APU fire detection system gives fire warnings and automatically stops the APU. The APU fire warning light comes on to identify the correct fire switch to use to extinguish the fire. The fire switch solenoid releases the switch so that it can be pulled up. If the APU is running, it stops when the fire switch is pulled. The fire switch isolates the APU from the airplane systems.

Figure 9-29. APU fire extinguishing circuit.
Figure 9-29. APU fire extinguishing circuit. [click image to enlarge]
Fire Bottle Discharge

If the fire warnings do not go away with the switch out, put the switch to the left or right DISCH position. Hold the switch against the discharge stop for one second. This fires the bottle squib and releases the fire extinguishing agent into the APU compartment. Verify that the APU bottle discharge light comes on. [Figure 9-29]

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