Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Fire Suppression

Powerful. Proven. For Industrial Hazard Protection.

Why CO₂ Fire Suppression?

Carbon dioxide extinguishes fire by rapidly displacing oxygen and reducing the heat of combustion. It is highly effective and economical for industrial hazards.

⚠ Important: CO₂ is life-threatening in occupied spaces; it is intended for normally unoccupied or unstaffed hazard areas with strict safety interlocks (NFPA 12 / Civil Defense).

Typical Applications

Generator & engine enclosures, turbines
Power transformers & switchgear (normally unoccupied)
Industrial manufacturing & process equipment
Marine engine rooms & cargo holds
Paint spray booths, dip tanks, chemical hazards

System Configurations

CO₂ systems are engineered to match hazard type and safety requirements:

Total Flooding: fill the whole room volume to design concentration
Local Application: discharge directly onto machinery or specific hazards
Modular / Central Banks: single zone or multi-zone with selector valves

CO₂ Storage: High-Pressure vs Low-Pressure

Aspect	High Pressure (HP)	Low Pressure (LP)
Storage Method	Individual steel cylinders, ~45–60 bar	Refrigerated bulk tank, ~20 bar
Best For	Small to medium hazard volumes; modular layouts	Large facilities, multiple hazards, high agent mass
Refilling	Cylinder replacement or refill off-site	Bulk refill on site
Footprint & Space	Compact, distributed where needed	Dedicated tank room & piping network

Safety Measures (NFPA 12)

Pre-discharge alarms (audible & visual) and time delay
Manual release & emergency stop (abort) stations
Automatic door closures and HVAC shutdown
Warning signs, lockout/tagout procedures, gas-leak monitoring
Post-discharge ventilation plan & re-entry protocol

CO₂ vs Clean Agents (FM-200 / Novec 1230)

Quick reference to select the right suppression method for your hazard and occupancy.

Aspect	CO₂	Clean Agents
Occupancy	Unoccupied areas only during discharge	Occupied areas (human-safe design)
Residue / Cleanliness	No residue; fog & temperature drop	No residue; electronics-safe; clear re-entry
Typical Applications	Engines, turbines, paint booths, industrial processes	Data centers, control rooms, archives, healthcare
Interlocks & Integration	Pre-alarm, delay, E-stop, doors, HVAC shutdown	Detection, alarms, door release, HVAC shutdown; integrity test
Cost & Footprint	Lower agent cost; HP cylinders / LP bulk tank	Higher agent cost; compact cylinders vs inert

Key takeaway: Choose CO₂ for tough, normally unoccupied industrial hazards; choose Clean Agents for occupied, electronics-sensitive spaces.

Need help engineering a CO₂ solution for your facility?

design@shamsfs.com See CO₂ Hardware Back to Gas Suppression Request a Quote