Escape slide activation

When Air China contacted them for two reusable escape slide simulation systems, for use on Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainers (CEET), EDM turned to Thorite to provide compressed air technology to activate and control the emergency training equipment.

The requirement was for a fast-acting, low pressure (10bar) escape slide inflation system, which for the Boeing 737, comprised of a 1,000 litre vertical air receiver, pipework, actuated ball valves and a Thorite-designed and built 2-switch control panel. The Airbus A330 deploys a much larger slide, requiring a 4,000 litre horizontal air receiver, pipework, actuated ball valves and a 4-switch control panel. 

This specialist equipment enabled both aircraft's escape slides to be inflated to 1.9psi in around 7 seconds, with this pressure being controlled and maintained by very accurate electronic pressure switches. Thorite also designed and built an additional 4-switch panel for the A330, to activate a fire extinguisher simulation system.