EASA SIB 2021-14: Hand-operated Fire Extinguishers — Removal from Service

What to do

Aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance organizations should identify if affected umlaut Engineering GmbH HAFEX fire extinguishers are installed or held in inventory, inspect them according to the vendor's instructions, and remove any inoperable units from service. They should also consult design approval holders for guidance on operating or storing aircraft and extinguishers in high-temperature environments. Reporting occurrences to EASA and performing risk assessments is recommended. No corrective actions currently exist to return inoperable extinguishers to service.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2021-14 is an airworthiness bulletin addressing the removal from service of certain umlaut Engineering GmbH (formerly P3 Engineering GmbH) HAFEX (Halon-free) hand-operated fire extinguishers. These extinguishers, part numbers P3APP003010A, P3APP003010B, and P3APP003010C, are installed on various Airbus aeroplanes including A318, A319, A320, A321, A330, A340, A350, and A380, ATR 72 aeroplanes, and multiple helicopter models from Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and WSK PZL-Świdnik. The bulletin raises awareness of a potential inoperability issue under high temperature conditions affecting fire extinguishing capability.

What changed

EASA SIB 2021-14 introduces information about a safety concern where the spindle in the fire extinguisher head may dislodge after prolonged exposure to temperatures above 65 °C, rendering the extinguisher inoperable without any visible indication. The bulletin references umlaut Engineering GmbH's Vendor Service Bulletin P3VSB000003, which provides inspection and removal instructions for affected extinguishers. Additionally, EASA is issuing an Airworthiness Directive for aircraft known to have these extinguishers installed.

Why it matters

This issue is critical for aviation professionals because inoperable fire extinguishers could fail to suppress fires in the cabin or cockpit, posing serious safety risks to aircraft and occupants. Operators, maintenance organizations, and manufacturers must ensure affected extinguishers are identified and removed from service to maintain compliance and safety. The lack of visible signs of failure means thorough inspection is essential to detect the problem.