General

A. The APU fire detection system provides fire detection in the auxiliary power unit (APU). Fire
detection is provided by shrouded sensing elements mounted on the APU (Fig. 1). The
detection system is an electrical, heat-sensing system that responds to a general overheat
condition or a localized fire condition by activating warning lights, an alarm bell and a remote
horn, and shutting down the APU.
B. Fire detection elements are installed in two areas of the APU, the Engine area and the
exhaust area. On all aircraft there is one sensing element installed on the engine.
(1) WA N4502W THRU N4530W, N4569N;
One sensing element is installed on the APU upper shroud in the exhaust area.
(2) WA ALL EXCEPT N4502W THRU N4530W, N4569N; Two sensing elements are installed
on the heat shield and muffler assembly.
C. The APU fire detection system consists of the fire protection system module, engine and
APU fire detection accessory unit, APU remote control panel, alarm bell, remote horn, master
fire warning lights and sensing elements. The APU fire detection system sensor (thermistor
type) is enclosed in a shrouded sensing element which is connected to the transistorized
Engine and APU fire detection accessory unit. The control module contains the APU detector
control card and associated wiring to the APU. For engine coverage, refer to AMM 26-11-0,
Engine Fire Detection System. The APU detector control card monitors the electrical resistance
of the APU sensor. The control card circuit discriminates between an overheat condition or a
short circuit. The fire warning lights, alarm bell (and remote horn if the aircraft is on the ground),
will actuate when a temperature rise causes the sensor element resistance to drop to the design
value corresponding to the alarm temperature. The APU DET inoperative light, on the fire
protection module, will come on when a short is sensed in the detection circuit.
D. The APU fire detection system can be tested in flight or on the ground by operation of the fire
test switch on the fire protection module (Fig. 2). The fire test switch circuit checks continuity
through the system by electrically simulating a fire condition on the APU. This energizes APU
fire warning horn and light in the right wheel well, the alarm bel1 in the aural warning devices
box in the control cabin, the fire warning lights on P7, and APU fire handle lights on the fire
protection module, or causes the APU detector inoperative light to come on.

2 . Fire Protection System Module Components

A. The fire protection system module components described in the following paragraphs will be
only those associated with the APU fire detection system. The fire protection system module is
located on control stand aft electronic panel P8. For further information on the fire protection
system module, refer to AMM 26-00-0, Fire Protection
B. APU Detector Inoperative Light
(1) An amber detector inoperative light, mounted on the front panel, provides an indication of a
short circuit in the APU fire detection system. A short circuit on the sensors will cause the
steady illumination of the APU detector inoperative light. The light is also connected to the
master dim/test system (Ref AMM Chapter 33).
C. Warning Light
(1) A red fire warning light in the APU fire switch handle provides APU area fire warning. The
APU fire warning light is connected to the APU detector control card. A fire or overheat
condition in the APU shroud will cause steady illumination of the warning light (Fig. 2). The fire
warning light consists of several bulbs covered by a red translucent plastic lens cap in the fire
switch handle.
D. Test Switch
(1) The fire test switch has three positions: INOP/OVHT-off-FIRE. The switch is spring-loaded to
the off position. The switch permits testing of the APU fire detection system by checking sensor
continuity and simulating a fire condition when positioned to FIRE. When in the INOP/OVHT
position, the APU sensor is grounded, and the inoperative light will come on (Fig. 2).
E. Bell Cutout Switch
(1) A pushbutton switch is provided for alarm bell control. Pushing the switch provides 28 volts
dc to the aural warning and master fire warning light control section in the fire detection
accessory unit. The control circuits then silence the bell and turn off the master fire warning
lights on P7.
3 . Engine and APU Fire Detection Accessory Unit
A. The engine and APU fire detection accessory unit (control module) components described in
the following paragraphs will be only those associated with the APU fire detection system. The
engine and APU fire detection accessory unit is located on electronic equipment rack E3. For
further information on the engine and APU fire detection accessory unit, refer to AMM 26-10-0,
Fire Detection.
B. APU Detector Control Card
(1) The control card contains the fire detection and short circuit discrimination circuitry
necessary to continuously monitor the resistance of the sensing element and/or wiring and to
trigger a fire warning or short circuit indication. The control card resistance trip level is fixed
during assembly of the card and does not require or permit adjustment. The sensor is
connected in series with the control card to form a closed circuit sensing loop. A zener diode
regulator in each control card protects the circuit from input voltage transients.
(2) Each control card consists of two resistance monitoring circuits, a fire warning circuit set to
trip at a resistance corresponding to a desired alarm temperature and a short circuit detector
circuit which can differentiate between a sensing loop resistance drop caused by a mechanical
short or by heat (fire).
C. Aural Warning and Master Fire Warning Lights Control Section

(1) The aural warning and master fire warning lights control section provides control of the alarm
bell on the aural warning devices box, the remote horn mounted in the main wheel well, the fire
warning light on the remote APU control panel, the master fire warning lights on lightshield
module P7 and APU shutdown (Fig. 2).
(2) When an alarm condition occurs in the APU, the APU control card will cause a warning
signal. The warning signal will supply 28 volts dc to the fire warning lights in the APU fire switch
handle on the fire protection module, unlock a solenoid holding the fire switch handle, and
energizes a relay in the control section. The energized relay will supply 28 volts dc to the
following: to the APU automatic shutdown circuits, turn on the bell control transistor to the
remote horn and light flasher unit which controls the flasher relay supplying a pulsating output
for the remote horn and light and supplies a ground for the master fire warning lights. The
transistor supplies a ground to the alarm bell circuit, thus causing the bell to ring. The flasher
relay will pull in and relax, thus causing a pulsating output of the remote horn and light. When
either the bell cutout switch, APU remote horn cutout switch, or a master fire warning light is
pushed, a positive trigger signal is supplied at the gate of two silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR)
in the control section. One SCR will conduct, removing the bias from the transistor in the bell
circuit. The transistor will stop conducting and de-energize the bell and the master fire warning
lights. The other SCR will conduct, providing a steady ground circuit to the flashing relay. The
relay will remain energized, disconnect the horn circuit and cause steady remote fire light
illumination on the remote APU control panel. The SCR will continue to conduct until the alarm
condition clears. If the alarm condition clears before the bell cutout switch is pushed, the control
relay will relax, remove power from the control section and return the control section to itsv
normal state. However, the fire handle lights cannot be de-energized as long as a fire signal
exists on the selected sensing loop.
4 . Remote APU Control Panel Components
A. The remote APU fire control panel components described in the following paragraphs will be
only those associated with the APU fire detection system. The remote APU control panel (P28)
is located on the aft bulkhead, right side, in the main wheel well (AMM 26-00-0, Remote APU
Fire Panel).
B. APU Horn Cutout Switch
(1) The horn cutout switch can be used to turn off the master fire warning lights and cut off the
fire warning horn or bell from a ground control point. The horn and bell can also be cut off by
pushing the bell cutout switch on fire protection system module P8-1 or pushing one of the
master fire warning lights on lightshield module P7.
C. Fire Warning Light

(1) A fire condition in the APU will cause pulsating illumination of the fire warning light. The
warning light is controlled through the aural warning and master fire warning lights control
section (Fig. 2). When a bell or horn cutout switch is pushed, the light remains on until the fire
warning signal is gone.
(2) 5 Alarm Bell
D. The alarm bell warns of fire or overheat conditions in the APU or Engine with a steady
ringing. The bell is controlled by the aural warning and master fire warning lights control section
of the engine and APU fire detection accessory unit (Fig. 2). The alarm bell is located in the
aural warning devices box (Ref AMM Chapter 31, Aural Warning and Call Devices).
5 . Remote Horn
A. The remote horn (loudspeaker) warns of fire or overheat conditions in the APU. The remote
horn is located in the right main wheel well adjacent to the APU control panel. Audio tones for
the horn are generated by a multivibrator circuit (in miscellaneous switching module) which is
turned on and off by the aural warning and master fire warning lights control section of the
engine and APU fire detection accessory unit. The horn will operate only when the aircraft is on
the ground.
6 . Master Fire Warning Lights
A. The master fire warning lights are located on lightshield module P7. The lightshield is located
in a direct line of sight for both the captain and first officer. When a fire or overheat condition
occurs, the fire warning lights will alert the crew to the type of problem that exists.
B. The master fire warning light will alert the crew of a fire or overheat condition in the APU. The
master fire warning lights are controlled by aural warning and master fire warning lights control
section of the engine and APU fire detection accessory unit (Fig. 2).
A fire warning light is located on either side of the lightshield for the captain and first officer.
Either light may be pushed for bell or remote horn cutout and turning off the lights. The lights
are also used by the engine fire detection system.
7 . Sensing Elements
A. A sensing element provides fire detection inside the APU shroud. The element is mounted on
the APU. The sensing element is shrouded and attached by quick-release clamps. The sensing
element consists of one sensor mounted in a loop within a perforated metal tube.

B. The sensor is a thermistor device, which has a resistance inversely proportional to

temperature, that is, as the sensor temperature is raised by heating, its resistance lowers. The
sensor is composed of two wires embedded in a thermistor material, which is incased in a
heavy Wall inconel tube for high strength at elevated temperatures. The electrical connector at
each end of the sensor is completely insulated by ceramic insulators. The sensor is completely
shrouded in a 1/2-inch diameter perforated stainless steel tube or armor between the electrical
connectors. The shroud (armor) protects the sensor from common hazards such as breakage
due to vibration, abrasion of sensor against airplane structure and damage from maintenance
activity in the area. The sensors are supported away from the sides of the armor by teflón
impregnated asbestos bushings at approximately 2 1/2-inch intervals. The tubing provides
sufficient clearance for the sensor, to protect it from objects striking and denting the armor,
while also providing a structurally rigid support for the sensors.
C. The resistance of sensor is a logarithmic average function and varies inversely with its
length, the increments of length being essentially resistances in parallel. For a given installation,
the heating of less than a full length on a sensor will require it to be heated to a higher
temperature for the resistance to decrease to the alarm point. This characteristic permits the
system to integrate the varying temperaturas throughout the installation rather than sensing only
the highest local temperature. One wire of the sensor is grounded to the outside case of the
sensor. The other wire receives power from the detector control unit. The system is thus
continuously monitoring the resistance between the "hot" wire and ground through the sensor
case or through the other wire which is grounded to case (Fig. 1).
8 . Operation
A. Normal Operation
(1) Normal fire detection is automatic when power is applied to the aircraft and the fire detection
and aural warning circuit breakers are closed.
(2) If a fire or overheat condition occurs in the APU area, the sensor is subjected to a
temperature rise. The temperature rise will cause the resistance value of the sensor to
decrease. At a predetermined resistance value corresponding to the alarm temperature, the
APU detector control card will trigger a fire warning signal. The signal will activate the circuit
which cause the fire bell and warning horn to sound, unlock the APU fire switch, the fire warning
lights to illuminate and the APU to shut down. The fire warning horn will sound only if the
airplane is on the ground. When the fire warning lights are illuminated, a fire is assumed and
should be extinguished. Refer to 26-22-0, APU fire Extinguishing System. When the fire is
extinguished, the temperature and sensor resistance value should return to normal. The fire
signal will be removed and
(3) The fire warning indicating components will turn off. The alarm bell and remote horn may be
silenced at any time when the bell cutout switch, APU remote horn cutout switch or either
master fire warning light lens caps are momentarily pressed.