How it works

Having a fire in the cabin is what you might call a less-than-desirable flight event.

To try and preclude this from happening, aircraft designers employ a device between the engine and the cabin called a firewall. Usually made of steel, the aptly named firewall is a simple barrier designed to keep a fire in the engine compartment long enough for the pilot to make an emergency landing. FAA regulations require the material to hold out a 2,000-degree blaze for 15 minutes.

Although a perfectly shaped piece of impenetrable steel would be the preferred implement, certain items must pass through the firewall. This speaks to the firewall’s other purpose, which is as a good mounting source for everything from the steel engine mount to hose fittings. Since the pilot must control some of these devices, a few things pass through the firewall. This may include throttle cables, environmental systems, and wiring for fuel totalizer probes (precise digital fuel gauges). Each item that passes through the firewall is sealed off with a fireproof grommet or fireproof putty. All this ensures you’ll get the 15 minutes you need to get on the ground safely.