16.2 Fire Suppression

The habitable volume of the Galaxy class starship is constructed of materials conforming to SFRA-standard 528.1 (b) for inflammability in nitrogen-oxygen atmospheres. All shipboard equipment, furnishings, and personal effects onboard must conform to SFRA 528.5(c-f). The Chief Engineer is responsible for the observance of these policies by all departments and personnel.

Fire detection sensors are incorporated into the environmental monitoring sensors located throughout the habitable volume of the spacecraft. These sensors scan for changes in air temperature or ionization, and are also programmed to detect airborne particles or gases characteristic of combustion byproducts. Crew members can also signal the presence of a fire by use of personal communicator or comm panel.

In the event of fire, monitoring sensors would immediately notify Ops as well as Security. In the case of a relatively small fire, a containment forcefield would be generated around the burning area by the ship's computer. This field seals the fire off from the atmospheric oxygen supply, causing most fires to be rapidly extinguished. In the event of such an occurrence, crew personnel should remain at least two meters from the fire to avoid unnecessary exposure to either fire hazards or the forcefield.

To avoid spontaneous re-ignition of an extinguished fire, the computer will maintain containment field until the combustible material has cooled to below the ignition point.

Larger fires may require the activation of section isolation doors and forcefields to limit the possible spread of the fire. In such cases, extinguishing fields can be supplemented with handheld fire extinguishers and firefighting gear located in strategically placed corridor storage modules.

In extreme emergencies, isolated sections of the habitable volume can be vented to the vacuum of space. Since this procedure would be fatal to any crew member in those sections, such venting cannot be performed until the areas have been evacuated. The only exceptions to this protocol are if the Commanding Officer certifies that the fire poses an imminent danger to the entire spacecraft and crew.

The idea of forcefields being used to extinguish shipboard fires was devised by writer Melinda Snodgrass in her episode "Up the Long Ladder." It was not only logical in terms of the ship's technology, but made for a pretty funny scene.