Business Aviation Services Editor

Curt Epstein

With the window for industry comments on the revisions to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 409 Standard on Aircraft Hangars&nbsp;due to close today, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has submitted its proposed changes to the organization.

 


NATA has been vocal in its opposition to the mandatory requirement for foam fire suppression systems, establishing an <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nofoam">online petition</a> and commissioning a <a href="https://www.nata.aero/assets/Site_18/files/NFPA%20409/UMD%20Report%2011-12.pdf">research study</a> from the University of Maryland’s department of fire protection engineering.

 


"The recent report from the University of Maryland confirms what our industry has known for years:&nbsp;that foam fire suppression systems are not necessary for most hangars,[are]&nbsp;incredibly burdensome, and end up being a costly solution in search of a problem,” said Tim Obitts, NATA’s COO. “The data shows that the risk of a fuel fire in a business aviation hangar is virtually nonexistent, while the risk of a foam system inadvertently discharging and damaging aircraft and the environment is incredibly high, amounting to 137 false discharges since 2004.”

 


In its comments, NATA suggests several changes such as the creation of a new category of hangar for hazardous operations, including doping, hot work, in-hangar fuel transfers, and spray finishing, which would require foam systems.

 


The NFPA 409 Technical Committee on Airport Facilities will meet early next year to review the comments. The next revision to the standard is slated for publication in 2021.

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