Calibration module and remote test sequence unit

A remote test sequence unit for coordinating operations of a fire extinguisher monitoring system with a flight operation of an aircraft to determine a first optimal testing time period for discharging a fire suppression agent, the remote test sequence unit configured to

• receive a first start-sequence input during the flight operation for starting a first sequence of operations of the remote test sequence unit and the fire extinguisher monitoring system;
• and
• perform the first sequence of operations when the first start-sequence input is received, including
• automatically setting a standby indicator to a standby-on state until the first optimal testing time period has been reached,
• automatically drawing an airflow at an altitude of the flight operation through each of the plurality of detectors,
• automatically taring out, using a processor, previous readings of each of the plurality of detectors to determine a measurement baseline for each of the plurality of detectors, and
• automatically setting the standby indicator to a standby-off state and a discharge-readiness indicator to a discharge-on state when the first optimal testing time period has been reached, wherein the processor is configured to generate concentration data in substantially real time corresponding to a plurality of concentration amounts of the fire suppression agent at a plurality of detection locations in the aircraft, respectively, over a time period.

A method of calibrating and dynamically controlling a testing operation of a fire extinguisher monitoring system of an aircraft, the method comprising:

• drawing an ambient airflow through each of a plurality of detectors;
• providing a processor for taring out ambient airflow characteristics to determine a measurement baseline for each of the plurality of detectors;
• providing a closed-loop flow unit that includes a first closed-loop container with a known volume and fluidly connected to a plurality of detection locations using a plurality of channels, the plurality of detection locations being monitored by a plurality of detectors, respectively;
• providing a first calibration container having a first mixture of at least a fire suppression agent with a first concentration amount and an airflow-simulating fluid for simulating an on-flight airflow, the first calibration container configured to be fluidly connected to the closed-loop flow unit via a pneumatic unit;
• directing, using the pneumatic unit, the first mixture from the first calibration container into the closed-loop container;
• simulating, using the closed-loop flow unit, an on-flight discharge of the fire suppression agent by drawing, using a vacuum source, the first mixture in the closed-loop container through each of the plurality of detection locations;
• generating, using the processor, concentration data in substantially real time, the concentration data indicating a concentration amount of the fire suppression agent at each of the plurality of detection locations over a first time period;
• and
• adjusting a flow of the fire suppression agent within the closed-loop flow unit based on the concentration data.