What happens to the lavatory fire extinguisher when exposed to temperatures above 180°F?

The lavatory fire extinguisher is specifically designed to be sensitive to high temperatures for safety reasons. When it is exposed to temperatures above 180°F, the extinguisher is designed to discharge its contents automatically. This mechanism ensures that any potential fire in the lavatory can be addressed immediately without waiting for manual intervention.

Discharging into the trash chute is a feature that helps prevent the spread of fire by allowing the extinguishing agent to enter a designated space that minimizes danger to passengers and crew. The purpose of this design is to manage potential high-risk situations in an effective manner.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of the lavatory fire extinguisher. For instance, becoming inactive would not serve any protective purpose in a fire situation. Triggering an alarm is not the function of the extinguisher; alarms are managed by different systems within the aircraft. Lastly, releasing a smoke suppressing agent is not the design function of these fire extinguishers, as their primary role is to prevent the spread of flames.