NFPA Removes Bizav Hangar Foam Requirement | Aviation International News

NFPA Removes Bizav Hangar Foam Requirement

The National Fire Protection Association’s revision of its 409 Standard on Aircraft Hangars removes the mandate for foam fire systems in Group 2 hangars.

With the 2022 revision to NFPA's Standard on Aircraft Hangars easing the requirements for hangar fire foam systems in Group 2 hangars, costly accidental discharge events such as this could become a less frequent occurrence in the business aviation industry.

By Curt Epstein • Business Aviation Services Editor

November 1, 2021

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has removed the requirement for foam fire systems in Group 2 hangars under its just-published 409 Standard on Aircraft Hangars—a change long anticipated by the business aviation industry. Group 2 hangars include those with door heights of 28 feet or less and a single hangar bay less than 40,000 sq ft. While NFPA has no rulemaking authority on its own, its guidance is generally accepted as an industry standard and referenced by state and local governments when approving hangar construction.

This measure had been championed by hangar-keepers and NATA, which pointed out the inefficacy of the systems. Despite their propensity for costly accidental discharges, the systems virtually never encountered the types of situations they were originally designed to safeguard against.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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