Jul 23 2013
Research became a reality when UPS placed an industry-first order for 1,821 fire-resistant shipping containers. The implementation of these unit load devices (ULDs) represents a milestone in aviation history, offering unprecedented protection from intense fires. Delivery of the new containers will begin this September and is expected to be complete by early 2014.
“These containers are a game changer, both for UPS and the industry as a whole,” said UPS Chief Operating Officer David Abney. “They represent a quantum leap forward in safety, an area where UPS places the highest emphasis.”
“Fire onboard an aircraft has long been a top concern for the National Transportation Safety Board,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “We commend UPS for implementing this real-world solution that addresses our recommendations.”
The containers are built with a revolutionary new panel material, MACROLite, a fiber-reinforced plastic composite similar to the material used in ballistic body armor. Burn testing conducted by UPS and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and observed by the NTSB, has shown that a ULD with MACROLite panels can contain a fire with a peak temperature of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four hours. That time frame would give a flight crew ample time to land safely in the event of an in-flight fire.
“We have tested these containers in the laboratory and in live operations. They will enhance safety and increase durability, and they are lighter, which will reduce fuel burn and supports our ongoing sustainability efforts,” said UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols.
The new containers are the most visible in a series of fire safety enhancements recommended by the UPS-Independent Pilots Association Safety Task Force. Working through that group, UPS has also implemented the following safety enhancements:
- Fire containment covers for cargo pallets: UPS has purchased 575 of the covers, which can contain a 1,200-degreefire for four hours.
- Quick donning, full-face oxygen masks for pilots: UPS is installing these masks, which can be put on with one hand in three seconds, throughout its air fleet by the end of 2014.
- The Emergency Vision Assurance System (EVAS) for pilots: UPS has completed installation of this inflatable cockpit vision system on our 747-400 fleet. The system enables pilots to see their instruments and out of the front window when smoke is present.
“Fire safety is an industry-wide matter,” said Captain Houston Mills, UPS Airlines Director of Safety. “We are proud to devise solutions that will set a new standard in transportation all over the world.”
For more information on UPS fire safety advancements, watch the video from David Abney at: pressroom.ups.com/.
Source: http://www.ups.com/