What classes of fire does a carbon dioxide (CO₂) fire extinguisher effectively fight, and how does it extinguish a fire?

Question

20-03-2025
Engineering

College

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What classes of fire does a carbon dioxide (CO₂) fire extinguisher effectively fight, and how does it extinguish a fire?

Answer :

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RoseDavidson RoseDavidson · Answer 1 · 2024-05-24T20:29:28-04:00

Final answer:

CO₂ fire extinguishers are best suited for Class B and Class C fires, which involve flammable liquids and electrical equipment respectively. They extinguish fires by displacing oxygen around the fire source and cooling the area, but are not effective for Class A fires. The absence of residue makes them ideal for protecting sensitive electrical equipment.

Explanation:

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) fire extinguishers are effective in fighting Class B and Class C fires. Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and certain paints, whereas Class C fires involve electrical equipment like computers, servers, and motors.

CO₂ extinguishers work by displacing oxygen in the air around the fire, essentially suffocating the fire and preventing it from spreading. Since carbon dioxide is a non-conductive and non-corrosive gas, it is especially effective for electrical fires, leaving no residue and thereby preventing damage to sensitive equipment.

The operational mechanism of a CO₂ fire extinguisher relies on its ability to quickly smother a fire by creating a dense cloud of carbon dioxide gas around it, which effectively cuts off the supply of oxygen that the fire needs to continue burning. This not only extinguishes the fire but also prevents re-ignition by significantly lowering the temperature in the immediate area around the fire source.