Evaluating the Effectiveness of Portable Fire Extinguishers on Stored Energy Fires: International Space Station Self Contained Oxygen Generators

Many sources of fuel are present aboard current spacecraft, with one being an especially hazardous source of stored energy: the self-contained oxygen generator. Self-contained oxygen generators are currently used aboard vessels that are typically isolated from any significant means of resupplying breathable air to passengers in the event of a loss of atmosphere, as is the case in airplanes, submarines, and spacecraft. Self-contained oxygen generators are particularly hazardous forms of fire sources, as they supply the fire with oxygen and as a result are able to sustain combustion despite extinguishment efforts. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are currently used aboard international spacecraft as a means of fire mitigation. Currently NASA is developing a fine water mist portable fire extinguisher for future use on international spacecraft. Due to a previous fire incident aboard the International Space Station (ISS) involving oxygen generators, it is of special interest to understand how a fire extinguisher performs against a similar event. Testing was performed simulating the ISS oxygen generator fire incident, and portable fire extinguishers were evaluated.