Hypoxic air venting

Hypoxic air venting is an active fire protection measure that replaces the air within a protected space with inert air that has reduced oxygen concentration. The different concentrations of the components of air are slightly altered; typically, five percent of the oxygen content can be substituted by nitrogen. Although hypoxic air is safe to breathe for most people ^[1], it prevents fire ignition^[2] in many materials. Hypoxic air units can be fitted into air conditioning plants or mobile units that can be located in or at rooms to be protected.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration has now proposed regulation to retrofit hypoxic ventilation in all commercial airplanes.

External links

• Hypoxic Air Venting for Protection of Heritage

References

1. ^ [1], Short-term exposure to hypoxia for work and leisure activities in health and disease: which level of hypoxia is safe? Burtscher M, Mairer K, Wille M, Gatterer H, Ruedl G, Faulhaber M, Sumann G.
2. ^ [2] Brooks, J. Aircraft Cargo Fire Suppression Using Low Pressure Dual Fluid Water Mist and Hypoxic Air. NIST SP 984-2; NIST Special Publication 984-2;