he aviation and aerospace industries are full of fire hazards, one of them being the structures in which aircraft and spacecraft are stored: aircraft hangars.
Aircraft hangars are some of the most challenging structures to design for effective fire protection. Fortunately, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has established a standard for them with some best practices to follow. Read on to learn more about aircraft hangar fire hazards and NFPA 409.
Aircraft hangars pose significant fire risks for multiple reasons, some of which are:
For the reasons listed above, fire safety experts have long warned of the risks associated with aircraft hangars. All structures must comply with certain building codes and fire protection regulations, but aircraft hangars have their own set of stricter rules in NFPA 409.
NFPA 409 is the National Fire Protection Agency’s Standard on Aircraft Hangars. According to the NFPA, it “helps safeguard life and property through requirements for the proper construction and fire protection of aircraft hangars used for aircraft storage, maintenance, or related activities.”
While the NFPA does not technically have rulemaking authority on its own, its guidance is widely accepted as an industry standard. Many state and local governments base their legislation on NFPA standards.
NFPA 409 lists fire protection requirements for aircraft hangars based on four classifications.
Group I aircraft hangars are required to have at least one of the following features and/or operating conditions:
Group II aircraft hangars must have both of these features:
Group III aircraft hangars must be either a row hangar with various units, an open-bay hangar that can store multiple aircraft, or a freestanding unit for one aircraft. It must also have both of these features:
Group IV aircraft hangars must be a structure built with membrane-covered, rigid steel framing. They must have an aircraft bay larger than Group III aircraft hangars.
Once you’ve determined which group your aircraft hangar is in, you can determine the specific fire protection requirements it needs to meet. Group IV aircraft hangars are generally subject to the least strict requirements, while Group I aircraft hangars are subject to the strictest requirements.
Back in 2021, the NFPA approved some modifications to NFPA 409. These modifications were released in the newest edition of NFPA 409, published in 2022.
The biggest change was that the NFPA removed requirements for foam fire suppression systems in Group II aircraft hangars. This change came from multiple risk-analysis studies, which showed that Group II aircraft hangars didn’t require the ultra-strong firefighting foam systems they were prescribed.
Now, users can use their own judgment to determine the best fire suppression system for their Group II aircraft hangars — with discretion, of course. An authority having jurisdiction still needs to approve their choice.
This is a long-awaited change for many aircraft hangar users because firefighting foam had always been a pricy, messy solution. If their facility doesn’t require it anymore, they can switch to a better-suited method, like a water-based sprinkler and drain system.
Besides the exemption of Group II aircraft hangars from foam requirements, there are a few other important NFPA 409 changes to be aware of.
More information on these changes can be found within NFPA 409, linked here.
The fire protection industry is undergoing a massive shift to fluorine-free foam concentrates. While that shift is worth it for many companies in terms of safety, it can be a costly one to undertake. Understanding the changes to NFPA 409 may provide some facilties with an alternate solution to the costly replacement of foam concentrate, when applicable and safe.
Want to know more about NFPA 409 and how these changes may affect your aircraft hangar’s fire protection plan? Vanguard Fire & Security Systems can help. We’ll inform you of the latest information regarding NFPA 409 and evaluate your aircraft hangar for compliance.
Give us a call at (800) 444-8719 or contact us online today.
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