Which type of detectors are typically found in aircraft hangars?

• A. Smoke
• B. Flame
• C. Heat
• D. CO

Answer: (B)

In aircraft hangars, the main hazard is fuel fires, so detecting a flame as early as possible is crucial. Flame detectors are designed to sense the radiation emitted by flames, often in the ultraviolet or infrared range, which allows them to identify a fire quickly even before a lot of smoke builds up. This makes them especially effective in the large, open spaces of hangars where smoke from other sources or dust can trigger nuisance alarms, and where rapid suppression is essential to prevent a fuel fire from growing.

Smoke detectors rely on detecting smoke particles, which can be delayed in such a big, ventilated space and may be less reliable for a fast-moving Hydrocarbon fire. Heat detectors require a noticeable temperature rise and therefore respond slower to a flame. CO detectors sense combustion gases but don’t indicate fire presence as promptly as flame detectors in a fuel-fire scenario. So, flame detectors are the best fit for aircraft hangars to provide fast, reliable detection of actual flame.