Assessing the fire risk for a historic Hangar

Abstract

NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) is evaluating options of reuse of its historic Hangar 1. As a part of this evaluation, a qualitative fire risk assessment study was performed to evaluate the potential threat of combustion of the historic hangar. The study focused on the fire risk trade-off of either installing or not installing a Special Hazard Fire Suppression System in the Hangar 1 deck areas.The assessment methodology was useful in discussing the important issues among various groups within the Center. Once the methodology was deemed acceptable, the results were assessed. The results showed that the risk remained in the same risk category, whether Hangar 1 does or does not have a Special Hazard Fire Suppression System. Note that the methodology assessed the risk to Hangar 1 and not the risk to an aircraft in the hangar. If one had a high value aircraft, the aircraft risk analysis could potentially show a different result.The assessed risk results were then communicated to management and other stakeholders.

A probabilistic analysis of non-military hangar fire protection systems

“…Others, such as the risk of inadvertent discharge of the HEF system, are a multiple of the risk of fire, according to the writings of Milke et al 2 Basic risk values are based on the writings of Fewtrell et al, 14 Frank et al, 15 Malm and Patterson, 16 and Datta and Morrison. 17 Recall that the performance-based design approach is based on the recommendations of the USAF Sundown Policy for Foam Fire Suppression Systems. 18 In the policy, the USAF makes the case that the risk of accidental foam discharges is too high, and the policy directs the USAF to discontinue the use of HEFs in most hangar installations.…”

“…Others, such as the risk of inadvertent discharge of the HEF system, are a multiple of the risk of fire, according to the writings of Milke et al 2 Basic risk values are based on the writings of Fewtrell et al, 14 Frank et al, 15 Malm and Patterson, 16 and Datta and Morrison. 17…”