General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Practice Exam

What type of fire protection does the APU have?

1. Manual activation only

2. Automatic activation only

3. Both manual and automatic activation

4. No fire protection

The correct answer is: Both manual and automatic activation

The correct answer indicates that the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is equipped with both manual and automatic fire protection systems. This is important because the dual approach enhances safety; the automatic system can detect fires and initiate suppression without human intervention, while the manual system allows crew members to activate fire protection measures in case of a perceived emergency. This redundancy is crucial as it ensures the effectiveness of fire suppression under various conditions, including scenarios where immediate crew action might be needed. Safeguarding the APU is especially important, as it provides electrical power and pneumatic energy to the aircraft while on the ground and can pose fire risks if not properly managed. Fire protection for the APU typically includes specific designs for heat detection and extinguishing agents, ensuring that both automated and manual measures are readily available to handle potential fire incidents effectively.