Carbon Dioxide Suppression Systems

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless, and chemically inert gas that is both readily available and electrically non-conductive. It extinguishes fire primarily by lowering the level of oxygen that supports combustion in a protected area. This mechanism of fire suppression makes CO2 suppression systems highly effective, requiring minimal clean-up, but should be used in normally unoccupied hazard locations or otherwise avoided by personnel when discharged. CO2 suppression systems may utilize the gas through a total flooding approach but carbon dioxide is also the only gaseous agent that may be utilized through local application. Carbon dioxide may be stored in either high pressure spun steel cylinders (HPCO2 suppression systems) or low pressure light wall refrigerated tanks (LPCO2 suppression systems).

 

Description

 

 

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless, and chemically inert gas that is both readily available and electrically non-conductive. It extinguishes fire primarily by lowering the level of oxygen that supports combustion in a protected area. This mechanism of fire suppression makes CO2 suppression systems highly effective, requiring minimal clean-up, but should be used in normally unoccupied hazard locations or otherwise avoided by personnel when discharged. CO2 suppression systems may utilize the gas through a total flooding approach but carbon dioxide is also the only gaseous agent that may be utilized through local application. Carbon dioxide may be stored in either high pressure spun steel cylinders (HPCO2 suppression systems) or low pressure light wall refrigerated tanks (LPCO2 suppression systems).

NOTE: Both HPCO2 and LPCO2 systems are equally effective at fighting fires.  Neither one is better than the other in terms of extinguishment.

 

Typical areas of fire protection

  • Flammable liquid storage
  • Transformers
  • Rotating electrical equipment
  • Power generation
  • Metal processing facilities
  • Printing industry
  • Paint mix
  • Machining facilities

HPCO2 Advantages

HPCO2 system have several advantages over LPCO2 systems.

  • Less expensive for smaller systems
  • Stored in US-DOT compliant High spun cylinders.
  • Cylinders come in 3 different sizes
  • Easy to install
  • Readily Available
  • Fewer Components
 
Nominal
Cylinder Size
Empty
Weight
Full
Weight
Height
Width
lb
kg
lb
kg
lb
kg
in
mm
in
mm
50
22.7
96
43.5
146
66.2
55.6
1412
8.5
216
75
34.0
160
72.6
235
106.6
61.1
1552
9.2
234
100
45.4
210
95.3
310
140.6
62.6
1590
10.4
264

 

LPCO2 Advantages

LPCO2 system have several advantages over HPCO2 systems.

  • Do not require hydrostatic testing
  • Continuous monitoring of the liquid level and tank pressure; the liquid level gauge provides standard alarm outputs or an optional 4-20mA output(HPCO2 cylinders must be removed from service semi-annually to be weighed)
  • Require 40% less floor space and less floor loading than HPCO2 systems
  • Multi-shot capabilities without any switch over to a reserve
  • Hazards may be added to an existing LPCO2 system at anytime
  • LPCO2 Storage Units can be refilled while remaining in service; HPCO2 cylinders must be uninstalled, sent out to a refill location, and replaced
  • Lower material cost when systems require more than 4000 lbs (1814kg) of carbon dioxide (40 or more 100 lb (45 kg) HPCO2 cylinders)
  • For critical installations, dual refrigeration options are available for LPCO2 Storage Units
  • LPCO2 systems are 30% more efficient than HPCO2 systems at local application
  • LPCO2 systems have lower overall maintenance costs than HPCO2 systems
Low Pressure CO2
Nominal
Tank
Capacity
Empty
Weight
ID
(Inches)
Tank
Allignment
Nominal
Voltage1
lbs
kgs
1.25 ton
3025
1372
42
Horizontal
120V-1P-60Hz
2.75 ton
4,950
2,245
42
Horizontal
120V-1P-60Hz
4 ton
7,250
3,289
54
Horizontal
120V-1P-60Hz
6 ton
9,000
4,082
54
Horizontal
460V-3P-60Hz
8 ton
10,750
4,876
54
Horizontal
460V-3P-60Hz
10 ton
12,500
5,670
54
Horizontal
460V-3P-60Hz
12 ton
14,000
6,350
54
Horizontal
460V-3P-60Hz
17 ton
20,000
9,072
78
Horizontal
460V-3P-60Hz
24 ton
26,800
12,156
78
Horizontal
460V-3P-60Hz
31 ton
33,650
15,263
78
Horizontal
460V-3P-60Hz
38 ton
40,500
18,370
78
Horizontal
460V-3P-60Hz
6 ton
10,000
4,536
54
Vertical
460V-3P-60Hz
14 ton
16,000
7,257
78
Vertical
460V-3P-60Hz
30 ton
30,500
13,835
78
Vertical
460V-3P-60Hz
50 ton
40,000
18,144
78
Vertical
460V-3P-60Hz

1Other voltages available upon request

The following datasheets offer more information on the specific carbon dioxide fire suppression systems available from Janus Fire Systems.