Abstract: A carpet installation for use with a frangible panel to assist in the disintegration and breakup of the panel permitting ventilation through an aircraft floor. The carpet installation utilizes positioning and hold-down tiles to reduce adhesive contact with the frangible panel and isolators to limit the support for the panel and increase the shear forces on the panel during breakup of the panel.

Abstract: The upper floor of a multi-deck pressurized aircraft having frangible floor panels sealing the floor during normal flight conditions yet rupturable under a predetermined environmental condition such as when a relatively high pressure differential exists between the upper cabin and lower cargo compartments. This may occur, for example, when the cargo compartment is depressurized by inflight explosion or collision. Differential pressure activates the panel destruction apparatus which strikes the frangible floor panels in such manner as to cause them to disintegrate or crumble into small pieces. Typical panels may be chemically strengthened glass, ceramics, etc.