Safran Wins Crystal Cabin Award for Fire Resistant Container

Safran Cabin has won a Crystal Cabin Award in the health and safety category for its newly developed Fire Resistant Container; the first-of-its-kind to contain fire that involves lithium batteries, also known as Class D fires.

As passengers become more reliant to portable electronic devices, lithium-ion batteries are commonly found and have become a prominent item to travel with or to be shipped in volumes as air cargo. If damaged, a Lithium-ion battery can self-ignite, overheat, and evolve into an uncontrollable fire.

Lithium-ion battery fires are unique because it releases a flammable vapor, which essentially produces its own fuel. This type of fire cannot be extinguished simply; it has to stop by itself, a long process requiring immense efforts to contain. This is an issue for passenger baggage and air cargo; a problem targeting both passenger airlines and air freighters.

Equipped with a combination of high-temperature resistant panels and unique door fabric, the Fire Resistant Container is designed to withstand fire for up to 6 hours, which is the longest time an airplane can be away from an airport at any given time during the flight. In the event of a fire mid-flight, it gives airlines sufficient time to safely land, while lowering the risks and ensuring the safety of the people and the aircraft.

Headquartered in California, USA, Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation, defense and space markets. Safran Cabin designs, certifies, manufactures and supports innovative aircraft cabin interiors, equipment and systems