DC-8 STUDY GUIDE

FIRE PROTECTION
INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ...........................................................................................................................................1

TABLE OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................................................................2
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM ................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................................4
FIRE WARNING AND FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS .................................................................................4
GENERAL.........................................................................................................................................................4
FIRE SENSING ELEMENTS AND CONTROL UNIT .......................................................................................4
MASTER AND REPEATER FIRE WARNING LIGHTS AND FIRE BELL.........................................................5
FIRE SHUT-OFF LEVERS ...............................................................................................................................6
FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENT DISCHARGE CONTROL SWITCHES..........................................................7
FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENT LOW PRESSURE INDICATING LIGHTS .....................................................8
FIRE AGENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM ..........................................................................................................8
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WARNING SYSTEM TEST SWITCHES .....................................................8
ENGINE SHORT CIRCUIT INDICATING LIGHTS (70 SERIES ONLY)...........................................................8

10-29-03 Page 1
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: CONTROLS and INDICATORS .............................................................................................................. 3

Figure 2: FIRE WARNING SYSTEM ...................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 3: FIRE SHUT-OFF and AGENT DISCHARGE CONTROLS ..................................................................... 7
Figure 4: FIRE WARNING TEST SWITCHES........................................................................................................ 8
Figure 5: FIRE EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM - SCHEMATIC.................................................................................... 9

Page 2 10-29-03
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

Figure 1: CONTROLS and INDICATORS

10-29-03 Page 3
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION
The Fire Warning System provides visual and aural indications in the cockpit to indicate a fire in any of the
engines and nacelles, and provides visual (and aural warning on combi aircraft) indication of smoke in the Main
Cabin/Cargo area, and lower belly compartments. The fixed fire extinguisher system provides fire extinguishing
for the engines and nacelles. on the combi aircraft there is a fixed fire extinguishing system for the lower belly
compartments.

FIRE WARNING AND FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

GENERAL
The fixed fire extinguisher system consists of two separate sub-systems, one in each wing leading edge
between the pylons, controlled by levers and switches in the fire extinguishing system control panel located in
the cockpit ceiling aft of the overhead switch panel. Sub-systems in the wings each consist of engine fire
detectors, two fire extinguishing agent containers, and deployment lines. Each container includes two
electrically discharged explosive cartridge outlet valves to enable direction of fire extinguishing agent flow from
either or both containers to either engine on the corresponding wing. The engine fire warning system consists
of continuous-element fire detectors in the burner and accessory sections of each engine, fire detector control
boxes, two fire warning lights, short circuit lights (70 Series only), a fire bell, and system test switches in the
cockpit.

FIRE SENSING ELEMENTS AND CONTROL UNIT

Three fire sensing elements are installed in each engine compartment, one located below the engine, one
forward, and one aft of the fireseal below the pylon apron. The three sections are interconnected to form a
continuous loop. The element consists of a center conductor wire, embedded coaxially in a metal tube.
Densely compacted thermistor material surrounds the wire. As a protection against mechanical damage, the
element is contained in a larger perforated tube and held concentric by spacers. Each loop is connected to a
115 volt AC powered control unit which continuously supplies power to and monitors the corresponding
continuous loop. The capacitance of the sensing element will change with prevailing temperature. When a
critical temperature is reached, the control unit will initiate a fire warning. The 60 Series detection electrical
power sources are AC Buses Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively for each engine. The 70 Series fire detection
electrical power sources are DC No. 4 (Engines Nos. 3 and 4) and DC No. 1 (Engines Nos. 1 and 2).

On 70 Series aircraft, the fire detection system includes a discriminator unit which differentiates between an
overheat condition and an electrical short. When the discriminator detects a short circuit, the fire detection
system is deactivated, and no fire detection is available on that engine.

NOTE: A discriminating unit is not installed on the 60 Series. A false fire warning will occur if a short is
detected in the fire detecting elements.

Page 4 10-29-03
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

Figure 2: FIRE WARNING SYSTEM

10-29-03 Page 5
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

MASTER AND REPEATER FIRE WARNING LIGHTS AND FIRE BELL

In the event a fire detector senses a fire, the MASTER FIRE warning light and repeater FIRE warning light
illuminate, the fire bell rings, and fire warning lights illuminate in the Fire Shutoff Lever handle or handle
corresponding to the engine in which the fire is detected. The master fire warning system is reset by pressing
the lens cap of the MASTER FIRE warning light. This action extinguishes the MASTER FIRE and repeater
FIRE warning lights, silences the fire bell, and rearms the system to indicate a fire warning from another source.
The fire shut-off lever fire warning lights remain illuminated as long as the engine fire detector senses a fire.
The pilot's MASTER FIRE warning light is located on the left side of the glareshield. The red light contains two
lamps, and a reset switch actuated by pressing the lens cap. The Flight Engineer's repeater FIRE warning red
light, located on the control panel, is connected in parallel with the MASTER FIRE warning light. The Fire Bell is
located in the left console. On the 70 Series, the electrical power source for the lights and the bell is DC Bus
No. 4. On the 60 Series, the electrical power source for the lights is DC Bus No. 1, and the bell is DC Bus No.
4.

FIRE SHUT-OFF LEVERS

The fire extinguishing system control panel contains four Fire Shutoff Levers, one for each engine. Four
selector positions are available on each Fire Shutoff Lever: NORMAL (full up and aft), WHITE DOT, FUEL, AIR,
& HYD OFF (mid position), and SELECT AGENT (full down and forward). In the event a detector senses a fire
in an engine, the two red warning lights in the corresponding Fire Shutoff Lever illuminate, as well as the
MASTER FIRE and repeater FIRE warning lights, and the Fire Bell sounds. When a Fire Shutoff Lever is
moved through its full downward and forward travel, the following sequence of events occurs. As the lever is
moved past approximately 23 degrees from NORMAL (aft edge of lever at white dot on quadrant), the lever
operates an electrical switch which controls the following:

DC-8-70 DC-8-60

Generator Field Relay (Tripped) Generator Field Relay (Tripped)

Bleed Air Shutoff Valve (Closed) Pneumatic Regulator (Closed)
Thrust Reverse Hydraulic Shutoff Valve Pneumatic High Pressure Bleed
(Closed) Valve (Closed)

NOTE: The field of the corresponding generator is opened to disable the generator. The Generator is
not disconnected mechanically using the Fire Shutoff Lever.

As lever movement is continued through the FUEL. AIR, & HYD OFF position, the Fuel, Pneumatic, and
Hydraulic Shutoff Valves are closed by the two-way cable system (Hydraulic Shutoff on inboard engines only).
As lever movement is continued to the SELECT AGENT position, the corresponding transparent guard door is
opened to provide access to the fire extinguishing agent discharge control switch.

CAUTION: WHEN AN ENGINE IS SHUTDOWN DUE TO AN ENGINE FIRE, DO NOT ATTEMPT

TO RESTART THE ENGINE OR TO RESTORE FUEL, HYDRAULIC OR PNEUMATIC
SYSTEMS OR GENERATOR TO SERVICE BY MOVING FIRE SHUTOFF LEVER TO
NORMAL POSITION.

Page 6 10-29-03
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

Figure 3: FIRE SHUT-OFF and AGENT DISCHARGE CONTROLS

FIRE-EXTINGUISHING AGENT DISCHARGE CONTROL SWITCHES

Four agent discharge control switches, placarded ENG 1, ENG 2, ENG 3, and ENG 4, are located aft of the fire
shut-off levers behind separate, transparent guard doors. When a fire shut-off lever is moved to the SELECT
AGENT position, the corresponding door opens to provide access to the discharge control switch for the
corresponding wing and engine. When the discharge control switch is placed at INBOARD AGENT or
OUTBOARD AGENT position, the corresponding fire extinguishing agent container outlet valve explosive
cartridge is fired and the fire-extinguishing agent is discharged into the corresponding engine. Each fire
extinguishing agent container holds 10.0 pounds of bromotrifluoromethane (CF3Br) supercharged with nitrogen
to 600 psi. Complete discharge of a container occurs in approximately three seconds. When container
pressure decreases below the preset level of the low-pressure warning switch, or the container is discharged
completely, both AGENT LOW PRESS lights for the corresponding inboard or outboard container are
illuminated. If necessary, the second fire extinguishing agent container can be discharged into the same engine
on the wing by placing the discharge control switch in the opposite position. The second container can be
discharged into the other engine on that wing when the applicable Fire Shutoff Lever is moved to the SELECT
AGENT position and the applicable discharge control switch is placed in the proper position to discharge the
remaining fire extinguishing agent container. The Fire Extinguishing Agent Discharge Control Switches receive
DC power from the Battery Bus.

10-29-03 Page 7
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENT LOW PRESSURE INDICATING LIGHTS

The agent discharge control panel contains eight, AGENT LOW PRESS amber lights, two for each fire
extinguishing agent container. When the lens cap of a light is pressed, a continuity check is made through the
corresponding container outlet valve cartridge firing circuit. If circuit continuity is normal, the AGENT LOW
PRESS lamps illuminate in the light pressed, and extinguish when the lens cap is released. The AGENT LOW
PRESS lights also are connected to the low pressure warning switches of the fire extinguishing agent
containers. If container pressure is below normal (250-275 psig), or if the container has been discharged, the
two AGENT LOW PRESS lights illuminate for the corresponding inboard or outboard container on that wing.
The Fire Extinguishing Agent Low Pressure Indicating lights receive DC power from the Battery Bus.

FIRE AGENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

The distribution lines are arranged in such a manner that either bottle can be discharged to either engine on the
corresponding side, or both bottles to a single engine. In the nacelle, the agent is dispersed through four outlets
which simultaneously flood the engine accessory section, fan section and engine core section. The outlets
direct the agent out and down, to sweep around the engine, in the space between the engine and accessory
compartment doors. Each engine cowling (60 Series), features an access panel for application of fire
extinguishing agent from a ground fire extinguisher.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WARNING SYSTEM TEST SWITCHES

The fire warning system is provided with test circuits controlled by engine compartment fire warning test
switches on the Flight Engineer's control panel. The switches, placarded 1 through 4 corresponding to engine
numbers, are spring-loaded to the OFF position. The DC-8-70 Series has two test positions - FIRE WARNING
and ENG SHORT CIRCUIT test. When the switches are held in the fire warning (DOWN) positions, circuits are
completed to turn ON the MASTER FIRE and repeater FIRE warning lights and the fire warning light in the
corresponding fire shutoff lever, and to operate the fire bell. Master fire warning system reset operation is
checked when the MASTER FIRE warning lights lens cap is pressed while the test switch is held in the DOWN
position. The MASTER FIRE and repeater FIRE warning lights and the fire bell are turned OFF. The fire
warning lights in the fire shutoff lever handle will remain illuminated until the test switch is released.

When the switches are held in the SHORT (UP) position, circuits are completed to turn on the corresponding
ENG SHORT CIRCUIT indicating light. This tests the light, the fault detector circuits, continuity of the sense
wire in all three detector elements, as well as the airplane wiring involved.

NOTE: An engine fire detection system cannot detect a fire while indicating a short circuit.

The Fire Warning Test Switches on the DC-8-60 Series are two-position switches. To test the system, the
switches can be held in the momentary UP position. The warning indications are the same as in the DC-8-70
Series.

NOTE: The short discriminating circuit is not installed in the 60 Series.

Figure 4: FIRE WARNING TEST SWITCHES

Page 8 10-29-03
 AIR TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL
DC-8 TRAINING
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM

ENGINE SHORT CIRCUIT INDICATING LIGHTS (70 SERIES ONLY)

Four amber, dimmable, press-to-test Fire Warning System ENG SHORT CIRCUIT indicating lights are on the
Flight Engineer's control panel. The lights will illuminate when a short circuit to ground is detected in the
sensing elements in the corresponding engine or when the corresponding Fire Warning System Test switch is
placed in the SHORT position.

Figure 5: FIRE EXTINGUISHER SYSTEM - SCHEMATIC

10-29-03 Page 9
INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK