Research to examine air quality in aircraft cabins

Citation

(2001), "Research to examine air quality in aircraft cabins", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773cab.011

Research to examine air quality in aircraft cabins

Research to examine air quality in aircraft cabins

Keywords: BRE, Cabins, Health and safety

BRE informs us that it is to co-ordinate a three-year research project involving 15 organisations from seven European countries working to address issues related to cabin air quality in commercial passenger aircraft. The group, known as the Cabinair consortium, consists of partners from leading European organisations representing the whole aerospace supply chain. The research activity of Cabinair is funded by the European Commission under the Key Action "new perspectives in aeronautics" of the 5th European Union Framework programme.

There are currently only limited standards governing the quality of cabin air. In addition, a number of inquiries, including the recent report of the UK's House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, have raised awareness of health and comfort associated with air travel.

Cabinair will address the establishment of a cabin air quality standard in commercial passenger aircraft and will seek to contribute further to the health and comfort of both passengers and crew. Specific objectives of the project are:

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  To establish the current air quality in aircraft through measurements during commercial passenger flights in generic aircraft types representing the commercial passenger fleet.

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  Through these measurements, to produce comprehensive information on the relationship of cabin air quality with the performance of the environmental control systems (ECS), filtration systems, the distribution of air in the cabin, and energy consumption and external environmental impact as it relates to fuel burn.

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  To provide innovative designs and technical solutions in the areas of the ECS, the filtration system, and the cabin air distribution and control system.

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  To optimise cabin air quality and at the same time reduce external environmental impact from fuel emissions.

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  To develop performance specification for the components and propose a draft European prestandard (ENV) which is both technically feasible and economically justifiable and will address the particular needs of the European Union.

The issues to be covered and the objectives to be addressed require a European-wide consortium approach since no single group or country has all the skills, resources or potential for ensuring the far-reaching impact necessary. Therefore, the Cabinair consortium will address these diverse and far-ranging issues by including representation from all the relevant aviation sector groups and specialist groups from other sectors where the required expertise is available.

Details available from: BRE. Tel: +44 (0)1 923 664302; Fax: +44 (0)1 923 664606; Web site: www.bre.co.uk