The Strategy Behind a CO2 Fire Suppression System

Whether it's safeguarding your home or protecting the vital assets of your thriving business, fire suppression systems are the unsung heroes that stand between catastrophe and safety when a fire is detected. 

Often, domestic homeowners or residential businesses will wait until a fire emergency happens before acting on the danger it presents, instead of removing the chance of it happening before an outburst occurs.

Therefore, here, we delve into the intricacies of CO2-based fire suppression, whether it’ll suit your application, and outline the integral role it plays in modern fire protection.

What is a CO2 Fire Suppression System?

In short, a CO2 fire suppression system is an automatic extinguisher that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to extinguish a fire by removing the oxygen and heat of a flame. Although the system has a primary focus on displacing the oxygen element of the fire triangle, it also comes out cool, attacking the heat element too. 

C02 systems are optimal for removing class A, B, and C fires with their two different types of systems. Their first one is a total flooding system that discharges gas across an entire perimeter, protecting the full enclosure volume, and the other is a C02 local application system that provides a more streamlined process in a single area in one protected area. 

CO2 is a colourless, odourless fire suppression agent that is classified as a gaseous fire suppression system, which essentially means they are clean agent systems.

The Strategy of How a CO2 Fire Suppression System Works

In regards to how a CO2 fire suppression system works, it will first detect the fire using a heat detector and then immediately release carbon dioxide into the area, displacing the oxygen in seconds within a minute of discharge. 

The strategy behind this is due to the fact that fire needs oxygen to continue to burn and spread. Additionally, it also needs to maintain its heat to be effective. Yet, with a carbon dioxide fire suppression system, it attacks both elements of this fire triangle, leaving the fire no option but to disintegrate.

The great thing about these fire fighting systems is that, due to both aspects of the fire being attacked, there is no way of anything going wrong upon release, whether that be stopping the combustion via reducing oxygen levels or cooling the fire.

Key Features of a CO2 Fire Suppression System

Now that you understand the strategy of this inert gas and how it disposes of a fire, we believe it is important for you to understand some of the key features and benefits that you’ll notice, whether or not you fall under a company that needs a CO2 fire extinguishing system.

• It is the most flexible fire extinguishing system 
• Zero global warming potential (GWP) or ozone depletion potential (ODP) and little atmospheric lifetime
• It leaves no residue or water damage
• It will be automatically released and act quickly to suppress the flames
• It has a high success rate, meaning there is little chance of re-ignition
• It is an electrically non-conductive gas

The Different Applications For CO2 Fire Suppression Systems

CO2 systems were one of the first fire-extinguishing systems to appear successful in the 1960s. The benefit of these life safety devices is that they’re suitable for lots of applications because they have been tried and tested across multiple sectors. 

However, there are still certain applications that they thrive in after years of testing, so let’s dive into their most optimal placements:

Electronic Equipment

Due to the fact that CO2 fire extinguishers extinguish flames by displacing oxygen, there isn’t a lasting drenching effect in the aftermath of the fire like some chemical agents and water systems. Therefore, because no drenching effect or residue is left behind, your sensitive electronic equipment will still be able to function.

CO2 requires no cleanup, meaning your business can get up and running as soon as possible after you and your staff re-enter the building. This means that everything from data rooms, IT rooms, generator rooms, and many more will be safely protected with a carbon dioxide system.

Machinery

Similar to electronic equipment, machines in large industrial companies need power to run, which usually falls under electricity. If a fire were to break out and a traditional fire sprinkler system were deployed, your equipment would most likely never work again and, in the worst-case scenario, cause more life-threatening issues by exploding. 

On the other hand, if you were to install an automatic CO2 extinguisher after expert room integrity testing and advice on which type would suit you, it would reduce the oxygen levels before the combustion could affect your working environment.

Common applications where you’ll find such machinery are industrial, agricultural, and many other manufacturing workplaces.

What is a Disadvantage of CO2 Fire Suppression?

In regards to what is a disadvantage of CO2 fire suppression, there is one that stands out quite clearly, and in short, it is that it can be dangerous to humans. Due to humans only being safe at CO2 levels below 7.5% and the average fire needing 34% CO2 levels to work effectively, being in the range of this fire suppression for prolonged periods will cause serious harm.

However, with updated technology, a lot of them have pneumatic sirens that will warn people about the release of CO2 into the atmosphere, meaning they can evacuate the building before it can affect their health.

Bottom Line

Although the carbon dioxide levels are a risk that CO2 fire suppression systems present, if they’re kept under control and people are notified to evacuate, the benefits, such as versatility, protection, fast suppression, etc., will all work together to keep you, your friends, and staff members safe.

If you’re wondering whether your room or building qualifies for this type of fire protection system, MEP Fire has received positive feedback on a national scale, allowing us to provide fire safety to people around the country. Alas, get in touch with our team if you have any quandaries about fire suppression installation, and we’ll be more than happy to help you!