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July 20, 2005

Katherine K. Martin
Glenn Research Center
(216)433-2406
katherine.martin@grc.nasa.gov

Elvia H. Thompson
Headquarters, Washington
(202)358-1696
RELEASE: 05-026

NEW NASA DESIGN CONCEPT SMOKES OUT FALSE ALARMS

NASA researchers have successfully tested a new generation of fire


detectors that could significantly reduce the rate of false alarms in
the cargo and baggage compartments of commercial airliners.

The new sensor-based system was developed at NASA's Glenn Research


Center, Cleveland. It reads a more complete fire signature, and is so
sensitive it may reduce false alarm rates to zero.

Most detectors sense smoke particles. They can be fooled by dust and
other tiny airborne particles found in non-passenger aircraft
compartments, which lead to false alarms. The team at Glenn used
MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) expertise to come up with a new
multi-sensor approach.

"We looked for increased concentrations of combustion gases along with


the smoke," said Gary Hunter, a Sensors and Electronics Branch
aerospace engineer. "The multi-sensor package compares various gas
concentrations and smoke particle sizes to those values
characteristic of an actual fire. The result is a system that works
to effectively recognize the presence of fire while screening out
false alarms."

The MEMS sensor system includes miniaturized carbon monoxide and


carbon dioxide sensors, a smoke particle detector and integrated
software. These compact arrays can be placed in multiple locations
throughout the aircraft's cargo and baggage compartments. The
on-board processor evaluates the response of the complete sensor
system and indicates whether there is a fire.

Fire alarms signal pilots to initiate emergency procedures. A Federal


Aviation Administration (FAA) survey of airline maintenance reports
has estimated that 100 - 200 false alarms occur for every actual
fire. In-flight fires are rare, but there is no way for flight crews
to verify sensor readings to know for sure a fire has started in a
remote compartment. So every alarm must be taken seriously. This
means using extinguishing equipment, declaring emergency priority
over other air traffic and landing as soon as possible.

Glenn researchers teamed with colleagues from Case Western Reserve


University, The Ohio State University, Columbus, and Makel
Engineering, Inc., Chico, Calif., in collaboration with the FAA.

Tests conducted at the FAA Cargo Compartment Fire Testing Facility in


Atlantic City, NJ, successfully demonstrated the miniaturized,
combined chemical and particle sensors approach. NASA's multi-sensor
package had a zero false alarm rate when exposed to conditions that
would normally cause cargo compartment detectors to false alarm.
Further testing alongside conventional smoke detectors in FAA's
Boeing 707 under-floor cargo bay showed the system detected fire as
well as conventional smoke detectors.

Before the new system can be installed on airplanes, the sensors,


software packaging and interface, long-term durability and drift
effects need to be improved and certified by the FAA.

NASA's Aviation Safety and Security Program sponsored the research as


part of a joint NASA-FAA program. Industrial Research and Development
Magazine recognized the effort as one of 100 best technical research
and development achievements of the year.

False alarms are also a concern in International Space Station


operations and during space exploration missions, so NASA is sharing
this research with spacecraft developers.

More information about NASA's Aviation Safety and Security Program can
be found at: http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/avsp/accident.htm

-end-

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