Fire extinguishers come with different gases required for different purposes. Some gases reduce the heat and some reduce the oxygen content in the fire. CO2-based fire extinguishers control the oxygen content. Scientifically any fire outbreak has three elements that cause to continue the fire. The three elements are heat, oxygen and the fuel source. If any of the three is removed from the scene then the fire can be stopped. CO2-based fire extinguishers are designed for Class B and Class C fires. There are different types of fire outbreaks depending on the different causes or the elements present there. In that case, CO2 fire extinguishers can be used for Class B and Class C fires.
How do CO2 Based Fire Extinguishers work?
CO2 in contact with Oxygen makes an odourless, non-reactive gas. It will further react with any other element until its bond is there. CO2 removes oxygen from the fire and because of the cool nature of CO2 it also reduces the heat present in the fire. Both these factors help to control the fire quickly. CO2 fire extinguishers do not work in all kinds of fire outbreaks. It is only applicable for class C & B fire outbreaks. Depending on the location where you want to place the fire extinguisher you should choose the primary element in the extinguisher.
Places where CO2 Based Fire Extinguishers are required
Since CO2-based fire extinguishers can only be used in fire outbreaks caused by a flammable liquid or electrical damage then you can keep these extinguishers in some limited places which are mentioned below.
- Laboratories- Since science labs usually contain a lot of acids, and other chemicals which are flammable having a CO2 fire extinguisher will be a good option.
- Mechanical Rooms- In such rooms, electronic devices and circuits are present, since CO2 fire extinguishers are perfect for electronics you should keep one in the mechanical rooms.
- Storage rooms for flammable liquids- Some warehouses store flammable liquids in such cases having a CO2 fire extinguisher is always helpful.
- The kitchen – A kitchen generally has a lot of flammable liquids and gases; it also has electric points which can easily catch fire. That is why having a CO2 fire extinguisher is always beneficial.
Benefits of Using a CO2 fire extinguisher
A CO2 fire extinguisher is not ideal for Class A fire outbreaks but class B and C fire outbreaks can be easily controlled with it. Here are some of the most important benefits of using a CO2 fire extinguisher.
- CO2 cools down the fire. Since CO2 gas is cool it can quickly cool down the fire and sometimes it also showers ice.
- CO2 fire extinguishers spray CO2 gas at high pressure which reacts with the oxygen present in the fire and then the oxygen presence in the fire is reduced and stopped the fire.
- If a flammable liquid is causing the fire the CO2 will freeze the flammable surface immediately and that will stop the fire.
You can always choose CO2 fire extinguishers for electronics and flammable liquid-based fire outbreak.
