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CARBON DIOXIDE (Co2)

• Clean and odourless, capable of penetrating all areas of the risk very quickly.
• No residue to clean up after the fire.
• Electrically non conductive.
• Zero Ozone Depletion Potentia

Carbon Dioxide is a well-established medium for extinguishing fires in areas where people are not normally present, or where they are, interlocked so that they are made inoperative, when people are in the area.

Stored in high-pressure cylinders as a liquid, in the event of a fire, the Co2 is transported via a network of pipes, to discharge nozzles situated in the risk area, where it is allowed to expand into a gas.

It is electrically non-conductive, and is therefore an ideal extinguishing agent for Sub Stations, Electrical Switch Rooms, un-manned IT centres and computer facilities. It is also ideal for inflammable goods stores, filter units, food processing, kitchen hoods, engine test cells and other industrial type enclosed spaces where it is necessary for a “gas” to permeate throughout the protected space.

Co2 extinguishes the fire by starving it of Oxygen, cooling the fire and heat absorption. Co2 systems have been in existence for over 50 years having been first developed to fight fires in ship’s holds and engine rooms.

The percentage of Co2 used is calculated, dependent on the type of risk and systems can be operated either electrically or manually dependant on system design.

Within a computer facility for example, it would be normal practice for AFS to design a system utilising early warning smoke detection, taking into consideration the air conditioning air flow direction and the general building design. The smoke detectors would be connected to a purpose made Fire Extinguishing Control Panel, complete with internal power supplies and standby batteries that would power the system in the event of a power cut. The control panel has other facilities that include alarm sounder outputs and remote signalling for connection to a central system, or another building.

Systems can also be designed to operate from other forms of fire detection including Air Aspirating Systems, Heat detectors and Flame Detectors.

In the event that the fire detection system operated, a time delay can be provided within the control panel prior to actual discharge. The Co2 system will be equipped with an electrical device such as a solenoid or protractor that will operate the pilot cylinder which will then release gas under pressure to the cylinder valves, to open them and thereby commence the discharge into the area being protected.