EVALUATING SENSITIVITY REQUIREMENTS OF EXPLOSIVE VAPOR DETECTOR SYSTEMS

The sensitivity requirements for bomb chemosensors in air transportation facilities depend in part on the extent of vapor attenuation that occurs between the point where bomb-characteristic vapors escape from the bomb enclosure and the site of the chemosensor. The magnituded of this attenuation parameter for various possible bomb locations were explored using Freon 12 as the bomb vapor simulator and a halogen leak detector. The facilities tested included: the passenger cabin, luggage space, and the lavatories of DC-8's and 707's with the aircraft parked and while the aircraft were taxied. Also, tested were the cabin of the 747, a mobile lounge, a passenger jetway and check-in counter, a baggage conveyor and baggage containers. The exact location of the chemosensor in the DC-8, 707 and mobile lounge was not found to be critical and the detection should be possible in 10 minutes or less. In the 747, chemosensing will be needed in several locations. The jetway appears to be a preferable location for passenger walk-by screening. Chemosensing of bombs in baggage or on conveyor belts requires elimination of major drafts and may present a response speed problem. Baggage loading containers present no special problem. The above assessments apply to detectors of reasonable sensitivity. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  IIT Research Institute

  10 West 35th Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60616
• Authors:
  • Dravnicks, A
  • Brabets, R
  • Stanley, T A
• Publication Date: 1972-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 77 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft cabins; Airport terminals; Airports; Aviation safety; Baggage; Bombs; Cargo compartments; Chemical analysis; Detectors; Explosives; Explosives detectors; Gas detectors; Passenger aircraft; Sabotage; Vapors
• Identifier Terms: Boeing 707 aircraft; Boeing 747 aircraft; McDonnell Douglas aircraft; McDonnell Douglas DC-8
• Old TRIS Terms: Baggage compartments; Explosive gases
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Finance; Security and Emergencies; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00181899
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FAA-RD-72-23 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FA72WA-2703
• Files: NTIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 31 1979 12:00AM