Final answer:
The fire protection system on an aircraft is divided into fire/overheat detection and fire extinguishing subsystems, with detection systems alerting the crew to hazards and extinguishing systems handling fire suppression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fire protection system on an aircraft is typically divided into two separate subsystems: fire/overheat detection and fire extinguishing. The fire/overheat detection system is designed to identify and alert the crew of any fire-related hazards or abnormal temperature increases that could indicate a fire risk. On the other hand, the fire extinguishing system comprises equipment and agents used to extinguish fires once detected, which may include handheld extinguishers, fixed systems with nozzles directed at critical areas, and fire suppression agents like Halon or its modern, environmentally friendly alternatives.