Abstract: A fire in an enclosed space in an aircraft is, for example, visually detected early since smoke generated by a beginning fire is initially permitted to escape from the enclosed space. The enclosed space is, for example, an overhead luggage bin or a goods container holding food or freight. The smoke can pass through a flow passage either in the form of a gap or a leak between a lid and walls, or between a door and a door frame, or between walls and other walls joined together. Intumescent material is installed along the gaps or leaks and expands into the gaps or leaks when the fire has generated a temperature sufficient for causing the expansion of the intumescent material. Preferably a guide surface assures that the intumescent material expands into the gaps and leaks and cannot expand away from gaps and leaks.

Abstract: Fire that has started in an enclosed space in an aircraft is smothered by closing or at least partly closing any air flow inlet and any air flow outlet of the enclosed space in response to a temperature rise caused by a fire in the enclosed space such as a toilet or crew quarters, galley cabinets, or the like. For this purpose fireproof, intumescent material is installed next to and along any apertures or openings in the enclosed space. When the temperature in the enclosed space exceeds the expansion temperature of the fireproof intumescent material the material expands into these apertures, thereby sealing or at least partly sealing these apertures, whereby air and thus oxygen access to the fire is reduced or even prevented, thereby smothering the fire. Preferably a guide surface guides the expanding intumescent material into the apertures or openings at least when the expansion starts.

Abstract: Thermally reactive elements of an intumescent material that expands when heated above a trigger temperature are arranged in an enclosed space, e.g a freight compartment of an aircraft. An optical sensor in the enclosed space has a field of view encompassing the elements. An evolving fire heats one of the elements above the trigger temperature so the intumescent material expands. This expansion of the element is sensed by the optical sensor, for an early detection of the fire at temperatures substantially below 300° C. With the elements arranged in a predefined pattern, the location of the fire can be determined based on the element(s) that has/have expanded. The intumescent material may be an adhesive tape adhered onto the ceiling of the freight compartment. Light sources or optical targets arranged along lines of sight behind the elements enhance the unambiguous recognition of the thermally expanded condition of a respective element.

Abstract: The proper function of a smoke detector of an enclosed space, such as a toilet or freight space or crew quarters in an aircraft, is monitored by at least two air pressure sensors which are so positioned that these air pressure sensors can measure an air pressure differential in the air flow into the smoke detector. If a pressure differential is detected the differential is evaluated in a central processing unit which produces a respective signal that indicates that the air flow and thus the smoke flow into the smoke detector is obstructed, whereby the smoke detector cannot function properly. This signal is visibly or audibly indicated.

Abstract: The proper function of a smoke detector of an enclosed space, such as a toilet or freight space or crew quarters in an aircraft, is monitored by at least two air pressure sensors which are so positioned that these air pressure sensors can measure an air pressure differential in the air flow into the smoke detector. If a pressure differential is detected the differential is evaluated in a central processing unit which produces a respective signal that indicates that the air flow and thus the smoke flow into the smoke detector is obstructed, whereby the smoke detector cannot function properly. This signal is visibly or audibly indicated.

Abstract: Fire that has started in an enclosed space in an aircraft is smothered by closing or at least partly closing any air flow inlet and any air flow outlet of the enclosed space in response to a temperature rise caused by a fire in the enclosed space such as a toilet or crew quarters, galley cabinets, or the like. For this purpose fireproof, intumescent material is installed next to and along any apertures or openings in the enclosed space. When the temperature in the enclosed space exceeds the expansion temperature of the fireproof intumescent material the material expands into these apertures, thereby sealing or at least partly sealing these apertures, whereby air and thus oxygen access to the fire is reduced or even prevented, thereby smothering the fire. Preferably a guide surface guides the expanding intumescent material into the apertures or openings at least when the expansion starts.

Abstract: A fire in an enclosed space in an aircraft is, for example, visually detected early since smoke generated by a beginning fire is initially permitted to escape from the enclosed space. The enclosed space is, for example, an overhead luggage bin or a goods container holding food or freight. The smoke can pass through a flow passage either in the form of a gap or a leak between a lid and walls, or between a door and a door frame, or between walls and other walls joined together. Intumescent material is installed along the gaps or leaks and expands into the gaps or leaks when the fire has generated a temperature sufficient for causing the expansion of the intumescent material. Preferably a guide surface assures that the intumescent material expands into the gaps and leaks and cannot expand away from gaps and leaks.

Abstract: Thermally reactive elements of an intumescent material that expands when heated above a trigger temperature are arranged in an enclosed space, e.g a freight compartment of an aircraft. An optical sensor in the enclosed space has a field of view encompassing the elements. An evolving fire heats one of the elements above the trigger temperature so the intumescent material expands. This expansion of the element is sensed by the optical sensor, for an early detection of the fire at temperatures substantially below 300° C. With the elements arranged in a predefined pattern, the location of the fire can be determined based on the element(s) that has/have expanded. The intumescent material may be an adhesive tape adhered onto the ceiling of the freight compartment. Light sources or optical targets arranged along lines of sight behind the elements enhance the unambiguous recognition of the thermally expanded condition of a respective element.