New system keeps Incirlik AB 'fired up' and ready

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Caleb Pierce
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The 39th Civil Engineer Squadron along with Vinnell, Brown and Root contractors, tested a new and improved fire suppressant system in a hangar at Incirlik AB, helping maintain Forward, Ready, Now mission capabilities.

The new system is one of three which are already in use. The system is unique in that the fire alarm system, mass notification system and a fire sprinkler system operate with both foam and water. This is used not only to prevent major damage, but stop the fire as soon as the system acknowledges the signal.

"The system includes three systems that are explosion proof or fire proof," said Sait Sevgenay, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron project inspector. "The system has strobes and audio warnings. The strobes are white - if you are [color] blind - and red for the visual if you can't hear, and the audio so you can hear it if you can't see the strobes. This will help protect all occupants."

The purpose of the fire alarm and the mass notification system is to alert hangar occupants, the Fire Department and the Fire Alarm Shop of any possible fire in a timely manner. An audio and visual notification will be sent to the recipients in the event of a fire.

The foam system is used in the hangar in case any chemicals are in the zone, while water is used in the offices.

Performing the test is a requirement to be in compliance with safety and fire regulations and is critical in getting the safest system for personnel.

"Without the proper functioning of a foam suppression system, firefighting will be increasingly difficult due to the spread of the fire in the absence of a fully operational fire suppression system," said Ali Ozyesil, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire prevention.

The new system replaced an older and out-of-date system that was not up to code. With the replacement and the system functional, the hangar is now ready for aircraft maintenance under safer conditions.

"The system is important because it will protect our maintainers and critical Air Force assets in case there's a fire in the hangar," said Lt. Col. David Holz, 39th Maintenance Squadron commander. "The system will also help the hangar be ready to conduct aircraft maintenance whenever it is needed."