How does a galley ventilator wash down system prevent ductwork fires?

The galley ventilator wash down system is designed to enhance fire safety in ductwork by employing a multifaceted approach. The method involves the activation of a water spray system within the ductwork during a fire emergency. This water spray cools heated surfaces and helps to suppress flames, effectively preventing the spread of fire through the duct system.

Additionally, closing the fire damper is crucial because it helps to contain the fire within a specific area, stopping it from spreading further within the ductwork. The function of turning off the exhaust CO2 agent is important as it allows the water spray to operate effectively without interference from other suppression methods that could complicate the firefighting effort.

This comprehensive approach—combining cooling, containment, and the proper management of suppression agents—ensures a greater likelihood of preventing ductwork fires, making this option the most effective in the context of fire safety.

Given this understanding, other choices like activating smoke detectors or relying on increased duct airflow would not significantly address the risk of duct fires. Similarly, while chemical agents have their own place in fire suppression, the specific combination of measures in the wash down system offers a direct method to cool and suppress fires specifically within galley ductwork.