franchise-star-trek-tng-technical-manual1

iT.ll.Mlii iiiirm 1'iirninil nunNUUH5.9 EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES 5.10 CATASTROPHIC EMERGENCY PROCEDURESOperational safety in running the warp propulsion system(WPS) is strictly observed. Limits in power levels and runningtimes at overloaded levels could be easily reached and exceeded.The system is protected by computer intervention,part of the overall homeostasis process. Starfleet humanfactorsexperts designed the operational WPS software tomake "overprotective" decisions in the matter of the health ofthe warp engine. Command overrides are possible at reducedaction levels.The intent was not to create human-computer conflicts;rather, command personnel are trained to use the softwareroutines to their best effect for maximum starship endurance.Emergency shutdowns are commanded by the computerwhen pressure and thermal limits threaten the safety of thecrew. The normal shutdown of the WPS involves valving offthe plasma to the warp field coils, closing off the reactantinjectors, and venting the remaining gases overboard. Theimpulse propulsion system (IPS) would continue providingship power. In one shutdown scenario, the injectors would beclosed off and the plasma vented simultaneously, the systemachieving a cold condition within ten minutes. High externalforces, either from celestial objects or combat damage, willcause the computer to perform risk assessments for "safe"overload periods before commanding a system throttlebackor shutdown.Under certain stress conditions, the WPS may sustainvarious degrees of damage, usually from external sources,and much of this may be repaired to bring the systems backto flight status. Complete, irreparable, and rapid failure of oneor more WPS components, however, constitutes a catastrophicfailure. Standard procedures for dealing with majorvehicle damage apply to WPS destruction and include but arenot limited to safing any systems that could pose furtherdanger to the ship, assessing WPS damage and collateraldamage to ship structures and systems, and sealing off hullbreaches and other interior areas that are no longer habitable.Fuel and power supplies are automatically valved off atpoints upstream from the affected systems, according tocomputer and crew damage control assessments. Wherefeasible, crews will enter damaged areas in pressure suits toassure that damaged systems are rendered totally inert, andperform repairs on related systems as necessary. If the WPSis damaged in combat, crews can augment their normalpressure suits with additional flexible multilayer armor forprotection against unpredictable energy releases. Engineeringpersonnel may elect to delay effecting system inerting untilthe ship can avoid further danger. Exact repair actionsdealing with damaged WPS hardware will depend on thespecifics of the situation.nmnri•rfo&.222'f1'{itr2>«L•wsnnuu5.9.1 Emergency annular containment field for use in WPS breach emergencies