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The Columbus fire suppression procedure is based on a centralized CO2 distribution system which injects the CO2 stored in a tank into the volume where the fire has to be extinguished. The fire is detected in each volume by means of the so-called REP (Rack Essential Package), which contains a fan and the smoke sensor. In order to assess the Fire Detection and Suppression design concept and to identify possible critical areas, Alenia Spazio - with the support of Flowsolve UK, and on behalf of EUROCOLUMBUS - has performed an analysis using a Computational Fluido-Dynamic (CFD) tool. The rack containing the water pump assembly and other electronic equipment has been chosen for the study. As far as the Fire Detection is concerned, the simulation intends to predict the flow field established in the rack by the ventilation system and the transport of smoke by this velocity field from a supposed point source.

The Mini Pressurised Logistic Module (MPLM) includes an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), whose general purpose is to guarantee a comfortable environment for the Crew. In particular, among the functions of the ECLSS, there is the provision of a correct ventilation in the habitable area of the Module and an air flow adequate to support fire detection in powered zones. These tasks are carried out by an air ventilation system mainly composed of a fan, eight cabin diffusers and a ducting system. In addition, the ECLSS furnishes, through a dedicated distribution system, the capability to suppress fire by release of the Carbon Dioxide contained in a portable fire extinguisher.