ARFF guys- Questions for you...

[CALFFBOU]

Whats the differance between "JP 4 or 5" and "Jet A" fuel?

[Dickey]

Former ARFF Chief here....maybe I can help.

Jet A, JP4, and JP5 are all basically the same thing.

JP (Jet Propellant) is the military version of Jet A or Jet B and are usually a blend 50/50 kerosene/gasoline originally designed for use on aircraft carriers. The flash point is much higher to make it safer upon ships. There are different blends depending upon what aircraft it is going into or climate in the world it will be used. There is JP1, JP4, JP5, JP6, JP7, JP8, JPTS(high altitude). They are pretty close to each other with different addatives, detergents, efficiency, etc. Generally, the older the engine, the less fussy it is as to what it consumes. JP8 is actually the standard fuel for most military aircraft. JP4 is basically the military equivalent of Jet A. JP5 also has an anti-corrosive additive for use at sea. However, the U-2 spyplane needed JPTS(Thermal Stability) for high altitude and the stability of the mixture otherwise the regular fuel would have heated up and burned inside the aircraft. That would ruin your day!

Jet A is your run of the mill civilian jet fuel. This is the standard jef fuel you would find at any airport. Jet B has a higher flash point and higher freezing point to be used in colder climates, making it just a bit more volatile than Jet A.

Jet A = JP4 or 5

Then there is Aviation fuel, or commonly called AVGAS which is basically 100 octaine Low Lead (100LL). This is more dangerous than regular unleaded gas. Used for small piston engines like Piper Cubs and Cessnas.


is that clear as mud??

[dave johnson]

For the firefighter...there is no difference.

For the pilot, chemist, and whoever pays for the stuff...it makes a difference.

[len1582]

I've wondered that myself too. Actually your explaination is pretty good.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Jet A, JP1, JP4, JP5, JP6, JP7, JP8, JPTS, 100 LL.. they all burn bright orangey red and produce copius amounts of thick black smoke!

[CALFFBOU]

Thanks Dicky! I always thought they werethe same, but just had to ask.

Finally some knowledge shared here vs. babble about helmets and sirens.

Thanks!

[Dickey]

Thanks Dicky! I always thought they werethe same, but just had to ask.

Finally some knowledge shared here vs. babble about helmets and sirens.

Thanks!

But see you have to wear two hoods and stop at every green light to get there!



And yes, from our point of view, they all burn the same and we would fight them all the same. Now it's different for E85 or polar solvents but I will save that for another class...