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Carbon Dioxide Fire
Suppression Systems

 

CO2 For Computers
(by John Dunham)

 

Why Carbon Dioxide
(CO2) Fire Suppression
Systems (by Norb
Makowka. Dec., 1994)

 

NFPA

 

 

 

Where there is a critical need to protect equipment or processes within your facility, in areas that are not occupied by people, Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing Systems are the most cost effective choice.

Choose From The Following Manufacturers :

co2-logo_r2_c4.gif (5165 bytes)


Some of the features that make CO2 fire extinguishing systems appealing are that they are:
  • Electrically non-conductive
  • Fast acting
  • Creates no residue
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Cost effective
    •

Some typical applications for CO2 Fire Suppression Systems are:

flammable liquid storage areas printing presses coating machines
telecommunications equipment quench tanks mixing operations
turbine generators chemical processing equipment rolling mills
industrial ovens test cells paint spray booths
dust collectors large commercial fryers paint lockers
food processing equipment tape storage enclosures engine compartments
switchgear rooms marine applications computer room sub-floors


Delivery of CO2 Fire Suppression:

There are two basic methods utilized to deliver carbon dioxide to a fire; total flooding systems and local application systems.

Total flooding concentrations used to extinguish fires will not support human life. There are a number of other fire extinguishing "clean" agents that provide many of the same benefits as CO2 fire suppression that are approved for use in occupied areas.

Local application CO2 systems are the most widely used of the two types of systems previously described. Many potential fire hazards are inherently non-enclosable and thus lend themselves to local application CO2 systems. This method is not effective, however, for extinguishing deep-seated fires. 

Types of CO2 Systems:

NFPA 12 recognizes two types of CO2 systems. The most widely installed CO2 systems are high pressure. The second type of CO2 system is low pressure. The main difference between the two systems is the way in which the CO2 is stored.

High Pressure CO2 Systems: These systems utilize spun steel pressure cylinders assemblies to house the CO2 gas. The cylinders are meant to be kept at room temperature with the internal pressure in the cylinder varying depending on the ambient temperature of the space in which the cylinders are stored. BFPE International can provide systems with cylinder sizes of 25 lbs., 50 lbs., 75 lbs., and 100 lbs. depending on the size of the hazard to be protected. (Kidde and Fike product pages)
FSSA - Fire Suppression Systems Association



Article - FSSA
Carbon Dioxide in Fire
Suppression Systems
A detailed paper on
carbon dioxide as an
extinguishing agent
written by NAFED
Technical Director Norb
Makowka, Why Carbon
Dioxide in Fire
Suppression Systems?

 

 

 

 

 


Low Pressure CO2 Systems: These systems utilize a low pressure storage unit that is refrigerated with a typical CO2 storage temperature of 0 degrees F. BFPE International can provide low pressure CO2 storage units from 350 lbs. to 60 tons. (link to Ansul).

What type of CO2 system is right for your fire protection application?

When it is determined by a fire protection specialist (Contact BFPE) that CO2 is the correct choice to protect a given hazard there are a number of other considerations to be made concerning whether high pressure CO2 or low pressure CO2 is appropriate.

High Pressure CO2 Systems:

Pro

Con

Ideal for covering small hazards with individual cylinders throughout a facility. Protecting multiple hazards within a facility with a single cylinder bank can be limited by design complexities. (ex -. the relationship between the location of the hazards to be protected and the CO2 cylinder bank.)
   
  When using for local applications up to 40% additional agent is required
   
  Simultaneous discharge into separate hazards requires added controls and/or storage capacity when utilizing high pressure CO2 systems.
 
  When utilizing high pressure hose-reel systems they must be recharged and serviced if they have been used (just like a fire extinguishers).

Low Pressure CO2 Systems:

Pro

Con

Can protect many average to large size hazards in a facility, as well as include a hose-reel system from a single storage unit Impractical to protect many small hazards throughout a facility
   
Can cover hazards at distances of up to 500’ or more from the storage unit.  
   
Almost all of the CO2 in the storage container can be utilized for local application fire fighting  
   
Multiple agent discharge into the same or different hazard area is available without any manual manipulation, switch over, or time loss.  
   
It is possible to design for simultaneous discharge into several hazards with a low pressure system  
   
Hose-reel systems are particularly effective with low pressure CO2 . They can be used without requiring recharge of the storage unit fire protection.  

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