November/December 2023 - 14

READERS CHOICE
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Ignitable Liquid Drainage Floor
Assembly (ILDFA)
By Walker Jaroch
Engine Cowling Mats for
The first Ignitable Liquid Drainage
Floor Assembly (ILDFA) was installed
in 2020 for the U.S. Navy.
" Offshore helicopter platforms were
somewhat the genesis of the idea.
There are some designs out there that
have a perforation in the top deck to
drain away rain and potential fuel spills.
This inspired us to take the approach of
using a hollow floor to drain away fuel
in case of a spill, instead of waiting until
there is a fuel fire and then reacting to it
with foam-based fire suppression system, "
said Sam Bowen, director of business
development for Safespill.
The ILDFA is designed for commercial
and military hangars and Bowen
said it's the best fire suppression system
available, as per building codes like
NFPA 409 2022 and FM Datasheet 7-93.
" It is 100 percent environmentally
safe and it significantly reduces downtime
for cleanup in the hangar when
a fuel spill has occurred. The system
basically cleans a fuel spill up automatically, "
he continued.
According to Bowen, drip pans will
be a thing of the past, as the ILDFA
relieves some of the pressure to avoid
fuel spills or clean up spills instantly
during MRO activities. Additionally, aircraft
can be washed inside the hangar.
The system has a lifespan of 50
years and comes with 10 years of warranty,
which includes inspection and
maintenance.
Multiple military bases have been
using the ILDFA since 2020, and the
first commercial MRO hangars are
slated to have it installed in 2024.
Bowen said they have over a dozen
projects in various phases from design
to near completion.
" Any of our clients that have dealt
with AFFF or High Expansion Foam
accidental discharges, instantly love
our product. Another benefit of ILDFA
over foam is rooted in life safety.
As recent as August 2022, a hangar
operator was stuck in a hangar while
a foam system activated accidentally.
Tragically he died while 8 of the first
responders had to go to the hospital
after they went in to try and save him.
The health and environmental risk of
PFAS in the AFFF and High Expansion
Foam are eliminated by ILDFA. The fact
that end users can basically spill anywhere
on the floor and it is cleaned up
automatically is a huge selling point, "
said Bowen.
Steel Blue Boots
PLANESAFE AVIATION
PRODUCTS, LLC
The Argyle Zip: EH is a 6-inch men's derby
style, lace-up ankle boot with an industrial-grade
side zip. The Argyle Zip: EH safety
boot participates in the American Diabetes
Association (ADA) Better Choices for Life
program and is suitable for those with ultrasensitive
feet, needing additional comfort
and protection.
www.aviationpros.com/21284222
Gulfstream Large Cabin Model
TRISOFT AIRCRAFT COVERS
Engine Cowling mats are designed to lay
inside the cowling when open to prevent
damage to the cowling and provide a padded
surface for technicians while working
on the engine. Trisoft Aircraft Covers offers
mats for all the Large Cabin Gulfstream
Models form GIV-G650 including G500
and G600.
www.aviationpros.com/53028396
14 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
http://www.aviationpros.com/53028396 http://www.aviationpros.com/21284222
November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2023
