Fire Safety

Fire Risk Assessment and Planning

  • Assess fire risk by reviewing:
    • Calfire Red Flag Warning
    • Air Quality Index (AQI)
    • Vegetation levels and condition
      • Avoid operating above areas that are not viewable to monitor for fires started by a crashed UAS.
  • Equipment to bring:
    • Fire Extinguisher (ABC) for regular small fires
    • Fire Extinguisher (D), or bucket of sand for LiPo fires
    • Shovel (optional)
    • Single-Use Fire Blankets (optional)
  • Planning for the worst case:
    • Ensure that emergency communication systems are always available during flight operations.
    • Ensure that all flight crew members can describe the flight operation location and how to get to the site to emergency personnel
    • Ensure that all PPE is appropriate for the operation

Battery Fire

  • Secure the site.
  • Remove any other potential fire fuel or other fire hazards.
  • Use a Class ABC fire extinguisher to extinguish and control any secondary fires.
  • Use a Class D fire extinguisher or a bucket of sand to extinguish the fire at the battery itself.
  • Avoid using water - if no other option, submerge the entire battery in water.
  • If you are unable to extinguish the fire:
    • Call emergency services
    • Stop all fire suppression efforts and begin minimizing potential damage by clearing the area and removing other potential fire hazards
  • DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR SAFETY

In-Flight or Post-Flight Fire

  • Maintain visual contact with UAS
  • Communicate the situation to the Flight Crew
  • Verify
    • Check state of UAS (Status/Flight Mode)
    • Check UAS location/altitude
    • Check transmitter/tablet status and control links
  • Take Actions
    • Ground Crew – Alert and clear flight area, prepare safety equipment
    • Visual Observer – Be prepared to call emergency services
    • RPIC – Immediately terminate flight
  • Issues
    • If UAS sparks a ground fire:
      • Secure site and attempt to extinguish the fire with Ground Crew
    • If unable to extinguish fire:
      • Call emergency services
      • Stop all fire suppression efforts and begin minimizing potential damage by clearing the area and removing other potential fire hazards
    • DO NOT COMPROMISE YOUR SAFETY
  • Post-Incident
    • Document incident
    • Contact campus designated local authority or systemwide designated UAS authority