Department of Transportation

Excerpts from specifications pertaining to the flammability or smoke developed by certain materials.

William A. Hiering, Charles R. Grisel

Wet and dry runway friction tests were conducted in concrete Runway4R-22L at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, using a Fixed Slip Runway Friction Tester. These tests were conducted to determine if significant friction increases or decreases were generated as a result of transversely grooving the runway surface with 3/8 inch wide, 45 degree, V-shaped grooves, having a 1 3/8 inch pitch. Data analysis indicates that at the test speeds of 50 and especially 60 mi/h, an appreciable increase in overall wet runway friction values due to grooving was obtained for these series of tests. In addition, the treatment of the runway surface by the cutting of uniformly spaced grooves markedly smoothed the resultant wet runway friction values. The chemical removal of rubber from the touchdown area of the 22 end of the ungrooved runway substantially improved the friction values of this end compared to those of the untreated 4 end.

GEC-Macroni Avionics

This document provides guidance for the performance required of Fire Suppression Systems designed to replace the standard practice halon systems currently in use in aircraft Class C cargo bays in the fire conditions herein specified.

C. Giori

A multidisciplinary program is proposed to investigate the combustion and flame resistance of synthetic materials used in aircraft cabins. The physio-chemical properties of these materials and their thermal decomposition products (smoke, toxic vapor) will be studied by combined analytical methods such as thermal analysis and gas chromatography and thermal analysis and simultaneous mass spectrometry. The results will be correlated to the functional groups, structure and physio-chemical parameters of the polymers which are related to the release of smoke and toxic vapors during accidental combustion. This approach will permit the examination of many more materials than would be otherwise possible in a given time period. Improved formulations will be developed and tested under simulated infield conditions and compared to commercially available test materials. IITRI has had continuing programs in combustion and heat resistant materials as well as fire, which will undoubtedly contribute to the success of this project.

Dynatech Corporation

An important field of aircraft safety engineering is the development ad utilization of fire resistant and low smoke producing materials of construction.