MANCHESTER AIRPORT DISASTER—1985

On 22 August 1985, 131 passengers and six crew boarded a British Airtours Boeing 717-236 twin jet at Manchester Airport for a charter flight to Corfu, Greece.

Just after 7.00 am, the aircraft began its take-off run on runway 24. Thirty-two seconds into the run, the crew heard a loud bang. The captain ordered ‘STOP’, closed throttles and selected reverse thrust on both engines, while the first officer applied the wheel brakes. The flight deck fire alarm operated, and air traffic control spotted fire on number one engine, suggesting that passengers be evacuated from the starboard (right) side.

Number one engine (a Pratt & Whitney JT8D-15) had suffered an explosive rupture of the combustor chamber casing, which punctured the fuel tank access panel and allowed fuel (kerosine) to pour out of the leftwing tank and immediately ignite. The aircraft turned off the runway onto a taxiway link and the evacuation began.

Unfortunately, by turning this way, the prevailing wind hit its port side, effectively blowing the flames into the fuselage. Smoke and flames soon engulfed the rear of the aircraft, leading to panic in the cabin.

The right forward exit door could not be fully opened due to obstruction by the emergency slide cover, so the purser opened the left forward exit door, inflated the slide, and commenced evacuation. He managed to open the right forward door and commenced evacuation there also. All the while, acrid smoke spread forward from the rear of the cabin. Difficulties were encountered at the overwing exits. The left side was blocked by smoke and flames, while the passenger seated at the right overwing exit had difficulty understanding how to open the hatch (at that time, there was no requirement for exit-door passengers to be briefed before take-off on how to do so).

Significantly, this exit was the first exit available to the 76 passengers seated behind or close to it, and the nearest exit for 100 passengers.

The aircraft orientation with respect to the prevailing wind, combined with delays in evacuation, led to fire penetrating the cabin while passengers were still onboard. It rapidly penetrated the left side of the rear fuselage, and the tail section of the aircraft sank to the ground. It destroyed most of the cabin furnishings, large areas of the fuselage crown, and the cabin floor above the rear freight hold. Toxic smoke from burning materials such as seats and fittings filled the cabin, resulting in the deaths of 58 passengers and two crew.

This disaster, described as ‘a defining moment in the history of civil aviation’, brought about industry-wide changes to the seating layout near emergency exits. It also led to the use of fire-resistant seat covers, floor lighting, fire-resistant wall and ceiling panels and more fire extinguishers, as well as clearer evacuation procedures. Under today’s rules, an aircraft on fire will always attempt to stop on the runway itself, rather than turning off onto a taxiway link, ensuring quicker evacuation of passengers.

Australian standards update

CE-030 Maritime structures

AS 4997 Guidelines for the design of maritime structures is being drafted by the Committee.

EL-031 Alarm and electronic security systems

Public comment on the open supervised device protocol (OSDP) in AS/NZS IEC 60839.11.5 Alarm and electronic security systems, Part 11.5: Electronic access control systems closed on 3 February 2023.

FP-002 Fire detection, warning, control, and intercom systems

The Committee is drafting AS 4428.17 Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems Control and indicating equipment, Part 17: Fire services key and AS 7240.2 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, Part 2: Fire detection control and indicating equipment (ISO 7240-2:2017, MOD).

FP-004 Automatic fire sprinkler installations

Progress continues on drafting the revision of AS 2118.6 Automatic fire sprinkler systems, Part 6: Combined sprinkler and hydrant systems in multistorey buildings

FP-018 Fire safety

Work continues on the revisions of AS 1530.1 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 1: Combustibility test for materials and AS 1530.4 Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures, Part 4: Fire-resistance tests for elements of construction.

FP-020 Construction in bushfire-prone areas

Work continues on the new handbook for Maintenance of construction in bushfire-prone areas (SA HB 208).

ME-002 Gas cylinders

Revisions of AS 2030.1 Gas cylinders, Part 1: General requirements and AS 2030.5 Gas cylinders, Part 5: Filling, inspection and testing of refillable cylinders are being drafted.

FPA Australia is advised about standards by our Technical Advisory Committees. Members interested in contributing can find out more at www.fpaa.com.au/ advocacy-technical/technical-advisorycommittees.aspx

FPA Australia’s technical documents can be found at www.fpaa.com.au/advocacytechnical/ technical-documents.aspx.

A Lithium Battery Special Interest Group (LB/SIG) has been established, and its first meeting was held in late January. Meetings of the LB/SIG will be held prior to TAC meetings so representatives from each committee can provide an update.

TAC dates for 2023 have been set for meetings in March, July, and November, including for the National Technical Advisory Committee.

Below are the current statuses of these committees:

National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC)

The NTAC meeting was held on Tuesday 6 December 2022. Key topics discussed at this meeting included:

◆ rules for the operation of TACs and SIGs

◆ a review of the inter-relationships between TACs, SIGs, ARGs and state committees

◆ a 2023 review of TAC chairs, deputy chairs and FPAA standards representatives

◆ a summary and review of NCC issues and local state legislation issues

◆ a summary and status of standards under each TAC.

TAC/1 – Maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment

The Committee met on Thursday 3 November via Zoom web conference.

FPA Australia set up an AS 1851 issues register that included a significant number of comments by TAC/1. This was distributed to all other committees for input.

Based on the responses to the AS 1851 issues register, a project proposal for AS 1851 was submitted to Standards Australia on 14 October.

TAC/2 – Fire detection and alarm systems

The Committee met on Wednesday 2 November via Zoom web conference.

A key focus for the committee was setting up several issues registers to collate items for relevant standard revisions. In 2023, these registers will be used to guide work programs for any working groups formed.

Significant progress has been made on the Technical Advisory Note on Building Occupant Warning Systems, which will be published in the next few months.

Another topic of discussion was IP30 access level ratings as described in AS 7240.2-2018.

TAC/3/7 – Portable and mobile equipment

The Committee met on Thursday 8 December. The Committee progressed work with the revisions of AS 1841 and AS 1850, in preparation for a revision of AS 2444. There were also significant discussions about lithium fire extinguishers and the FPAA document TAN-09 V1 Portable Fire Extinguishers: Lithium Batteries.

TAC/4/8/9 – Fire sprinkler and hydrant systems, tanks, and fixed fire pumps

The Committee met on Tuesday 22 November.

Significant work continued with two working groups, covering the spacing of sprinkler heads in concealed spaces and the hydrostatic testing of hydrant systems. Both working groups will prepare technical documents on these topics.

Pre-action systems in AS 2118.1-2017 and the test provisions of AS 2419.1 were also discussed.

TAC/11/22 – Special hazards fire protection systems

The Committee met on Tuesday 29 November.

No actions have been assigned to this TAC at present, but updates were provided on FP-011 and FP-022.

A working group was formed to review the current FPAA technical document IB-06 V3 Selection and use of firefighting foams to update references to relevant recent reports and publications.

The TAC expressed interest in holding a future webinar or information session on AS 5062.

TAC/17 – Emergency planning

A meeting of TAC/17 and a workshop on the AS 3745 issues register was held on Tuesday 8 November.

IB-11 V2 Evacuation diagrams and IB-XX R.A.C.E. Emergency response procedures are now ready for publication.

The Committee met on Tuesday 15 November.

Significant work continued with the working group on cavity barriers, which will lead to a technical document/National Construction Code guide to cavity barriers.

The TAC expressed an interest in developing passive fire systems training. Feedback was sought on splitting the AS 1905.1 proposal into a simple editorial clause change part (clause 5.1) and a consultation part (inclusion of fire bolts).

It was agreed that the fire door working group would reconvene in 2023.

Returning to Sydney on 3–5 May 2023, Fire Australia 2023 will build upon last year’s successful event with an array of interesting speakers and topics, the leading suppliers in the industry, and plenty of opportunities to mingle and network with your peers.

Thirty-five topics will be presented across three stages at ICC Sydney, covering the breadth of fire protection and prompting discussion about how to keep people, property, and the environment safe from fire.

In addition, our world-class Tradeshow will showcase the best products and solutions that the fire sector has to offer and give you insights from the distributors about how they can help you.

Mark the dates in your diaries, because you won’t want to miss this Fire Australia. Visit www.fireaustralia.com.au for more information.

FPA Australia runs a variety of seminars and technical webinars for the fire protection industry covering a wide range of areas: wet systems, dry systems, passive fire, mechanical fire protection, special hazards, and bushfire and emergency planning. Recent topics have been baseline data, insurance, defects, and bushfire design, and we’ve got further seminars in the pipleline covering mechanical smoke control, detection systems, and sprinklers. Presented by leading experts, these events provide all the information you need about fire safety topics. They are also an opportunity to pick up continuing professional development points.

For a full list of upcoming events, visit www.fpaa.com.au/events.

Fire practitioners are busy people who cannot always make time to attend a live event. For this reason, FPA Australia has made its recorded webinars available through a new online portal, FPA+. This user-friendly website allows members and non-members alike to purchase our content and catch up on any events they have missed, earning continuing professional development points in the process. Free FPA Australia webinars, covering popular topics such as the requirements of the Fire Protection Accreditation Scheme, can also be accessed through the portal.

FPA+ is a great way to access technical content in your own time and at your own leisure, without having to interrupt your work day. You can find it at www.fpaaplus.com.au.

Those interested in correctly assessing Bushfire Attack Levels and determining the construction requirements that apply can attend the following short courses:

Melbourne: 22–26 May, 21–25 August, 20–24 November

Perth: 13–17 March, 24–28 July, 6–10 November

Brisbane: TBA

NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL

AFAC invites its members and the public to attend the National Memorial Service in Canberra on 12 May 2023, to pay respects to fire and emergency service personnel who have died in the line of duty.

An AFAC Memorial Medallion will be presented to bereaved families, and the service will also acknowledge names added to the Memorial Wall, which recognises those who have died in the line of duty since records began.

The event will take place at the National Emergency Service Memorial on Rond Terrace, at the southern end of ANZAC Parade in Parkes, ACT. The memorial service will also be livestreamed via AFAC YouTube.

Find out more at www.afac.com.au/memorial.

With an increase in emergencies, we are seeing a corresponding increase in the number of reviews, inquiries, and royal commissions about these emergencies. How do we prioritise learning from the lessons identified, while balancing the implementation and monitoring of recommendations? How do we close the loop and truly learn and understand the underlying drivers of innovations and the challenges experienced? Are we truly learning the lessons?

These are the challenges facing lesson management practitioners and the wider emergency management community, and will be explored in the 2023 Lessons Management Forum to be held in Canberra on 27–28 June 2023.

The theme of this hybrid (online and in-person) event is ‘Closing the loop: the challenges of change’.

The Lessons Management Forum is co-hosted by AFAC and the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience. Find out more at www.aidr.org.au/events/33726

Australasia’s most comprehensive emergency management conference and exhibition returns to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 22–25 August 2023. This year, AFAC23 powered by INTERSCHUTZ looks to the future to explore the theme ‘Creating a sustainable future: the challenges and opportunities’.

The multi-award-winning conference will include the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference, and the Women in Firefighting Australasia Conference, while in the expansive exhibition space, exhibitors will showcase the latest in equipment and services.

AFAC23 is supported by host agencies Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

More information is available at www.afacconference.com.au.