A STUDY OF RELIABILITY OF FLIGHT-VEHICLE FIRE-PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Abstract : An analysis was initiated of existing firedetection and extinguishing systems to determine deficiencies from a reliability standpoint, and determine design criteria to insure high reliability for use in flight vehicles. A field survey and data analysis were peormend rported on in Phase I of this contract. Since it was concluded that a lack of systems approach was the main contribution to unreliable equipmen thiporlineates an integrated program for achieving reliable fire protection for a flight vehicle. Fire hazards must be identified during a design and hazard study of the preliminary weapon-system design. Materials characteristics must be assessed and a firehazard index estimated. The risks of using or not using a fire-protection system must be studied. A technique for justifying the use of fire-protection equipment is described, as is a means of optimizing fire-detection characteristics. (Author)