Ashtrays on A380s

[Must...Fly!]

It all depends how sensitive the detectors are - the smoke alarms don't go off at home if you smoke inside. Believe it or not the prison system has a smoke alarm in every prison cell, and 90%+ of prisoners smoke - they don't go off over night when they are puffing away, especially the doubles.

Flying JQ on Valentines' Day - will have a sneaky durrie in the loo and report back when I get home in March.

Enjoy the knock on the door, the ridiculous embarrassment, AFP visit and hopefully a stern lecture.

Some people...............

 

[Berlin]

Flying JQ on Valentines' Day - will have a sneaky durrie in the loo and report back when I get home in March.

I cannot believe you just said that :shock:

 

[stewiejp]

... ok, I'll try to talk the missus into it then

 

[JohnPhelan]

And when the smoke detectors activate, 200 litres of foul smelling water, laced with blue dye is pumped through tiny jets at the rate of 400 us gallons per minute and instantly smother smokers and the offending article.

Quite seriously, I do think that there should be automatic extinguishers in aircraft toilets - when smoke is detected, retardant foam should be automatically deployed. There's no technical reason that couldn't work; the only issue would be that the toilet would then need to be thoroughly cleaned inflight after the foam deployment, so that other pax could continue to use it during that flight.

 

[anat0l]

Enjoy the knock on the door, the ridiculous embarrassment, AFP visit and hopefully a stern lecture.

Some people...............

You do realise that even if he is caught and met by the AFP (big, big if), he will most likely get the boring lecture then let off without charge?

In fact, I think milehighclub said in the FA thread that the first offence (if minor) is usually just a warning, with possible confiscation of lighter and smokes. So our ethically-errant friend here - who I believe is more just winding up than being serious - would need to have terrorist or malicious intent before anything serious is considered against him.

Quite seriously, I do think that there should be automatic extinguishers in aircraft toilets - when smoke is detected, retardant foam should be automatically deployed. There's no technical reason that couldn't work; the only issue would be that the toilet would then need to be thoroughly cleaned inflight after the foam deployment, so that other pax could continue to use it during that flight.

Nice idea... would the foam pumped into the toilet be a problem viz. suffocation? Also, despite being rather unwitting or unlucky, I've heard that the smoke detectors can be set off by other gases, e.g. spray deodorant or hair spray.

 

[under the radar]

i hope that people realize that posting 'information' on a public website/forum enables others to the gather information on them.. (whether they be jokes or not)

 

[dfcatch]

You do realise that even if he is caught and met by the AFP (big, big if), he will most likely get the boring lecture then let off without charge?

In fact, I think milehighclub said in the FA thread that the first offence (if minor) is usually just a warning, with possible confiscation of lighter and smokes. So our ethically-errant friend here - who I believe is more just winding up than being serious - would need to have terrorist or malicious intent before anything serious is considered against him.



Nice idea... would the foam pumped into the toilet be a problem viz. suffocation? Also, despite being rather unwitting or unlucky, I've heard that the smoke detectors can be set off by other gases, e.g. spray deodorant or hair spray.

There are readily available commercial foam suppression products that will extinguish a fire but yet allow humans to continue breathing.

Used in industrial applications.

 

[Mal Ware]

Can't exactly just duck outside onto the wing for five minutes, can you? :shock: Probably the only place on the plane one could possibly smoke without the crew and ten passengers gang tackling you to the floor.*

* Might not be the case in China.

A little bit dramatic don't you think? Unless he/she is intent on causing harm to other people or the aircraft they would just be told to put it out and be dealt with upon arrival.

 

[serfty]

Errrrrm... "Valentine's Day" ... back in March?

.... surely most of realize that stewiejp was likely "taking the mickey" ... or otherwise enforcing a point with an effort at humor!

 

[JessicaTam]

A few points to cover:

The fire extinguishers in planes are of the BCF yellow type. These were banned in AU and around the world in 1989 due to the detrimental effect they have on the ozone layer. Aircraft, submarines and a few other locations are still permitted to use them because they are incredibly effective. They extinguish and do not leave a residue that could short out electrical equipment. So there are no foam extinguishers on planes because they are liquid based, and could do more damage than the fire.

Prisons have smoke detectors that are generally located outside of the cells in order to allow inmates to smoke. A heavy smoker in a closed cell would trip a detectors in the same room.

I can't remember the last time I saw an ashtray cut-out in an airline seat.

I too have wondered why there are still ashtrays on new planes in the toilets and I like medhead's explanation.

Please don't joke about a sneaky ciggie on a flight without at least a couple of smilies. That's what they are for - to indicate humour where the text does not imply it.

 

[Major]

i hope that people realize that posting 'information' on a public website/forum enables others to the gather information on them.. (whether they be jokes or not)

It's already been noted in his file

 

[stewiejp]

A few points to cover:
Prisons have smoke detectors that are generally located outside of the cells in order to allow inmates to smoke. A heavy smoker in a closed cell would trip a detectors in the same room.
<snip>

I too have wondered why there are still ashtrays on new planes in the toilets and I like medhead's explanation.

Please don't joke about a sneaky ciggie on a flight without at least a couple of smilies. That's what they are for - to indicate humour where the text does not imply it.

Yeah guess I should have used a - sorry... plenty of ashtrays still on planes though.

Re prisons - the smoke detectors most definitely are inside the cells, generally behind a vent to prevent tampering by the prisoners. No use outside the cells as the alarm would be raised too late in the case of a cell fire after lockdown. They don't go off with 1 or 2 smokers inside the cell, most of the time.

Would love a peek of my file...

 

[JessicaTam]

Yeah guess I should have used a - sorry... plenty of ashtrays still on planes though.

Re prisons - the smoke detectors most definitely are inside the cells, generally behind a vent to prevent tampering by the prisoners. No use outside the cells as the alarm would be raised too late in the case of a cell fire after lockdown. They don't go off with 1 or 2 smokers inside the cell, most of the time.

Would love a peek of my file...

No worries, I am not familiar with too many prisons hence the 'generally' in my post. Happy to be corrected.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Finally a definitive answer.

Why The Ashtrays On Planes

 

[ash.1111]

I'm not sure about the A380, but the 737 has automatic fire extinguishers in the loo bins. Smoke alarms are fitted to each loo roof as well. They will cause an intermitting chime through the cabin and a light will illuminate above the respective toilet door.

 

[whatmeworry]

Has anybody ever heard a smoke alarm go off in one of the toilet whilst on board?

 

[jb747]

Has anybody ever heard a smoke alarm go off in one of the toilet whilst on board?

There are automatic fire extinguishers in the toilet rubbish bins, not in the toilets themselves. BCF is anoxic and firing one in a confined space is quite dangerous. Gassing someone for smoking is perhaps further than even I would go.

The smoke detectors are not 'alleged'. They exist and will pick up smoke and other gases, notably hair spray. There isn't a local alarm per se....it's not like you have at home. In the 380 a 'triple tone' goes off in the aircraft, and all of the flight attendant panels light up with the information. The offending toilet area is also indicated externally, and on the area maps. And just to add to the fun, it sets off the master cautions and ECAMs in the coughpit. So if I catch you, I'll have you keel hauled.....

 

[JessicaTam]

Kell-hauled on an A380! Good thing I don't smoke.

 

[docjames]

Keel hauled at 38,000ft doesn't seem like a severe enough punishment.

How about clean the engines at cruise?

 

[chrisb]

Has anybody ever heard a smoke alarm go off in one of the toilet whilst on board?

I've seen the response from a bulkhead seat behind the toilets. FA's hurriedly coming from everywhere and the guy who came out of the toilet swearing it must have been the person before him. Ahuh.