ISS Emer Ops - CLDP.pdf

ISS Emergency Operations

11/19/2024 John Euker / NE4

What are Emergencies?

Emergency situations that have the potential to quickly become life threatening to the crew and possibly the long-term viability of ISS operations.

– Rapid Depress

– Fire

– Ammonia Leak

– Hazardous Release (other than Ammonia)

Emergencies & Hazard Reports

• There are no Hazard Reports that cover emergencies or the emergency procedures.

• All emergency hardware and procedures are above and beyond the hazard controls.

• Emergency equipment is used after all the normal hazard controls have failed.

• Depress – MMOD shielding, multiple seals on penetrations & interfaces

• Fire – Fire triangle – Controls on cabin O2 concentration, flammable materials, & ignition sources

• Ammonia – IFHX heat exchanger design

• Hazardous Release – Material selection, levels of containment, handling procedures

Crew Priorities During Emergencies

1. Safe the crew

– Don PPE, if required

– Retreat, if possible, towards the crewmembers’ return vehicle

2. Establish Safe Haven

– Establish location that can provide a safe, breathable atmosphere, access to emergency equipment, and communications

3. Communicate with the ground and each other

– Contact both MCC-H and MCC-M

– Establish contact with the other crews (if separated)

4. Safe the ISS

– Place the ISS in a safe configuration to maintain as much functionality as possible

Emer Equipment – Breathing

• Portable Breathing Apparatus (PBA)

– Provides breathable oxygen from oxygen bottles

• PBA components

– Quick-Don Mask Assembly (QDMA) -

Mask & hose

– Reducer/Cylinder Assembly (RCA) - Bottle w/regulator assembly

• Delivers pressurized oxygen to crewmember

– Primary response mask for all Emergencies

– Usable for a minimum of 15 minutes

– Located in all USOS segments with extras located in Node 2 and FGB

– QDMA can be plugged in to ISS O2 system with extension hose

• Emergency Air Supply (EAS)

– Provides emergency breathing air in USCV in response to an ammonia leak

• EAS components

– NORS Recharge Tank Assembly (RTA) – NORS bottle filled with Nitrox

– Regulator/Manifold Assembly(RMA) – Regulator assembly that has 4 quick disconnects to allow QDMAs to connect to EAS

– Flight Support Equipment (FSE) (not pictured) – structure to mount the EAS to the USCV

» Allows EAS to return in USCV after an ammonia response

– Provides breathing air for minimum 60 minutes for 4 crewmembers while ammonia scrubber cleans USCV environment

– 1 EAS will be stowed in each USCV while docked

• EAS will be returned to ISS prior to nominal USCV departure

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Emer Equipment - Fire Extinguishers

• USOS Fire Extinguishers (PFE)

– Water Mist (Red cover)

• Used for open cabin fires

• Does not require crewmember to don PPE for use

– CO2 (Orange cover)

• Carbon dioxide gas fire extinguisher

• Has 2 attachable nozzles

– 1 for rack fire ports

– 1 for cabin use

• Primarily used for rack fires using the fire port nozzle

– Can be used for open cabin fires (but is not the preferred option)

• Requires crewmember to wear PBA to prevent asphyxiation

– At least one PFE is located in each USOS module

Emer Equipment – Depress Tools

• Manometer ([МВ] –

Мановакуумметр)

– Russian-provided, portable, analog pressure gauge

– Used in depress scenarios to determine/monitor cabin pressure and determine the amount of time the crew can remain on station (Tres)

– Stored in SM and modules with crewed-vehicle docking ports

• Hatch Depress Indicator (HDI)

– Determines which side of a hatch is leaking

• Reduces need to close hatches

– Designed to deflect towards leaking module

– Very similar to automotive sun shade

• HDI is collapsed and stored in an identical fashion to a sun shade (orange bag)

– 3 sizes

• USOS hatch size – stowed in Node 2

• USCV hatch sizes – stowed in each USCV

Emer Equipment – Ammonia Filters

• US Ammonia Filter

– Fan with removable filter media to remove ammonia from USCV

• 4 parts to assembly

– Sorbent bed

– Fan & electronics assembly

– Multi-use bracket

– Power cable

– Designed to reduce USCV ammonia concentration from 12,600 ppm to 30 ppm in under 30 minutes

– Fan assembly and power cord are installed in the USCV and connected to power within 24 hours of arrival

• Allows for quick activation in an ammonia event

• Sorbent bed is stored in USCV is a sealed bag and is installed if needed

General Emergency Response

• Crews are instructed to: WARN – GATHER – WORK

– WARN Tell fellow crewmates what is happening

– GATHER Meet at a safe location

– WORK Execute procedures

• Crews regularly reviews emergency procedures

• Crews are trained to communicate with MCC-H/M and each other throughout any emergency response

Depress Automated ISS Response

– USCVs are commanded to “wakeup” from quiescent mode

– All IMVs are closed

– All cabin fans are deactivated

– All overboard vent valves are closed

– O2 & N2 supply valves are closed

– ECLSS systems are deactivated or powered off

Crew Response

– Check return vehicle

– Identify leaking volume

– Locate and repair leak

Notes:

1. Always keep crew on the return vehicle side of a closed hatch because pressure difference quickly make impossible to re-open.

2. When there is less than 10 minutes before pressure drops to 9.5 psia, crew isolates leaking volume or retreats to return vehicle.

Fire Crew Memorized Response

1. Burning odor detected or RS Smoke alarms annunciate – Take air sample readings

2. On confirmed air sample readings or USOS fire alarm

3. Remove local power (if able)

4. Use fire extinguisher on open cabin fires

5. Retreat toward return vehicle and close, but do not latch hatches

6. Sample air to verify safety of retreat location

Notes:

1. Crew splits into teams when fighting fires:

– Response team to observer/fight fire

– Safe haven team to use the PCS for detection and disconnecting power.

2. Crew dons protective masks under the following conditions

– Air sample readings above pre-defined limits

– Crew in smoke or near flames

– Crew experiencing smoke inhalation symptoms

– Before discharging a CO2 PFE

3. Crews only discharge 1 PFE. If fire continues, retreat and isolate the module

Ammonia Leak

• Crew Memorized Response

1. Don breathing mask

2. Activate ATM alarm (if not already activated)

3. Retreat to return vehicles

4. Close USOS Hatches

5. If contaminated with ammonia, remove clothes and leave in PMA

6. Close next hatch toward return vehicle

7. Secure long-term breathing protection

• Soyuz – If on PBA, don & purge Emer Respirator

• USCV – Connect to Emergency Air Supply

Hazardous Release

• Crew Initial Response

1. Notify crewmembers and MCC of release

2. Treat any medical situations related to release

3. Crewmembers not involved in cleanup should go to a safe location

4. If released substance is gaseous or uncontainable liquid or solid, then activate alarm to prevent spread

5. Identify substance using available onboard data sources or labeling