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

¹Other voltages available upon request

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