Airlock
The silo’s original cleaning airlock now stands open toward what Peter believes is the outside ramp.
Story so far
The Airlock lies beyond the holding cell, on the opposite side of the sheriff’s office from the cafeteria. Its steel bench serves cleaners being fitted with suits, and its viewing glass lets observers watch preparations. Pressurized argon is pumped inside before the outer doors open partway; outward-flowing gas is meant to hold back outside toxins. Plastic curtains covering the pipes burn during the subsequent cleansing fires. A narrow concrete ramp leads toward the surface.
Juliette passed through these gas and fire cycles, and later became trapped with another cleaner when the nozzles ignited. The door reopened after the flames stopped. For her later expedition, clear plastic and crude sensors were installed, and recharging the argon delayed preparations for her return. The gas and flame cycles are automated, with a second burn following work in the Inner Airlock. Now the original passage stands open all the way to what Peter Billings thinks is the outside ramp.
Appearance
A yellow steel entrance with triple-paned viewing glass, a single steel bench, and brightly colored pipes under plastic coverings. A narrow concrete ramp leads outward.
Role
The original passage between the silo and the surface, equipped for suit preparation and automated gas and flame cycles.
Relationships
Sources — 27 recorded facts, by chapter
- The silo’s airlock is on the other side of Holston’s office from the cafeteria.
- The airlock has a single steel bench used while fitting cleaners with their suits.
- The airlock has a small porthole through which Holston watched Allison prepare for cleaning.
- The airlock has a large yellow door at the end of the hall past the holding cell.
- Argon is loaded into flushing chambers during preparations for Allison’s cleaning.
- The airlock is filled with pressurized argon before its outside doors open.
- Sacrificial plastic curtains line the airlock and are incinerated during a cleaning.
- The outer airlock doors open only partway to minimize incoming air.
- Cleansing fires burn inside the airlock after its outer doors close behind Holston.
- A narrow concrete ramp leads upward from the airlock to the surface.
- The airlock contains brightly colored pipes protruding from the walls and ceiling under plastic shrouds.
- Argon is pumped into the airlock while Juliette waits inside.
- Increasing pressure tightens the airlock’s plastic coverings against the pipes.
- The airlock has a yellow steel entrance and triple-paned viewing glass.
- The IT technician warns Juliette that fires will follow the argon blast and she must leave quickly.
- Pumping argon into the airlock creates pressure that temporarily keeps outside toxins at bay.
- The airlock doors open only partway to keep toxins back while forcing argon outward.
- The airlock releases argon when silo eighteen’s outer doors open.
- The airlock seals Juliette and the cleaner inside as the fire nozzles ignite.
- The airlock door opens again after the flames stop.
- Clear plastic sheets line the airlock walls for Juliette’s outing.
- Pressurized gas flows outward when the airlock opens to prevent outside air from entering.
- Recharging the argon delays preparation of the airlock for Juliette’s return.
- Crude sensors have been installed in the airlock for the mission.
- The airlock gas and flame cycles are automated.
- A second flame cycle burns through the original airlock after Juliette and the attendants finish in the inner lock.
- The original airlock is open all the way to what Peter thinks is the outside ramp.