Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are an essential fire safety tool. CO2 fire extinguishers are effective against electrical fires, which makes them an important safety item in residential and commercial settings. During an emergency situation, a working carbon dioxide fire extinguisher could mean the difference between escaping serious injuries or death. In this guide, we’ll talk you through everything you need to know about CO2 fire extinguishers.
What Fires are CO2 Fire Extinguishers Used For?
CO2 fire extinguishers are primarily used to combat electrical fires and fires caused by flammable liquids. These are also referred to as Class B and Class E fires. Unlike water-based extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers do not conduct electricity, making them a safer option for electrical fires. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are less effective against Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles like wood and paper.
How to Use a Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher
A typical CO2 fire extinguisher has a discharge time of around 8 to 30 seconds, depending on the size and pressure of the cylinder. This limited discharge time requires users to act quickly and decisively when tackling a fire.
When using a CO2 fire extinguisher:
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle to discharge the CO2 spray
- Sweep the extinguisher from side-to-side to douse the fire
- Keep going until the flames are completely out
How to Spot a CO2 Fire Extinguisher
What colour is a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher? Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are bright red and have a black band around the body. They do not have a pressure gauge. CO2 fire extinguishers also usually have a written label on them. But if you’re in the middle of an emergency and need to grab the right one, looking for a red fire extinguisher with a black band will do.
- Cylinder Colour: The main body of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is bright red. Signal Red is the classic colour for fire extinguishers in Australia.
- Black Band: The black colour band is a universal symbol used to signify a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher.
- No Pressure Gauge: CO2 extinguishers are filled under high pressure and by weight, so they don’t need a pressure gauge.
Now you know your CO2 fire extinguisher colours!
The Lifespan of CO2 Fire Extinguishers
How long does a CO2 fire extinguisher last? Regular safety maintenance is essential to make sure your carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is prepared for a fire emergency. The Local Guys have trained Test and Tag technicians who can inspect your fire safety equipment. If you want to avoid injuries and costly damages on your property, then effective fire safety inspections are a necessity.
How often should fire extinguishers be tested?
All fire extinguishers should be inspected every 6 months.
Regular maintenance checks are necessary to ensure that your carbon dioxide extinguisher is fully charged and ready for immediate use in case of an emergency. The Local Guys provide fire extinguisher safety inspections as part of our Test and Tag services.
Do fire extinguishers expire?
Yes. CO2 fire extinguishers do expire after 5 years. Most carbon dioxide fire extinguishers will last around 5 to 10 years, but that will depend on a few different factors. If your extinguisher has sustained any damage or been stored in a hostile environment, they may expire more quickly. Every 5 years, a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher will need to undergo a Level 4 service or be replaced with a new device.
A Level 4 service includes:
- Stripping the extinguisher down
- Changing all the O-rings
- Hydrostatic testing
- Reassembling
Is fire extinguisher test and tag a legal requirement?
Yes, fire safety equipment testing is a legal requirement. Under the AS1851:2012 - Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment Australian standard, fire equipment testing is mandatory for workplaces and other commercial properties. Domestic fire extinguishers aren’t legally required to have safety checks, but they are highly recommended to ensure the equipment is effective during an emergency.
What happens if you use an expired fire extinguisher?
Expired carbon dioxide fire extinguishers have lost pressure within the cylinder, so when you try to use it, it won’t spray as effectively. An expired CO2 fire extinguisher won’t be able to put out a fire (even a small fire) properly.
Fire Extinguisher Test and Tag
The Local Guys have experienced Test and Tag technicians who can inspect your carbon dioxide fire extinguishers. Our technicians will ensure that your fire safety equipment is compliant with Australian Safety Standards.
There are 5 steps to a fire extinguisher test:
- Visual inspection
- Integrity testing
- Weighing
- Fire equipment tagging
- Service reporting
Visual inspection: A visual inspection of the carbon dioxide fire extinguisher and its surroundings. Any damage to safety pins, O-Rings, nozzle, or cylinder will be assessed.
Integrity testing: Integrity testing ensures that your fire extinguisher is still in good working order. This may include a pressure test, which will check the cylinder pressure is still good and high.
Weighing: Technicians will weigh the carbon dioxide extinguisher to see whether there is the correct amount of liquid inside or needs to be refilled.
Fire equipment tagging: Maintenance tags are mandatory for CO2 fire extinguishers. Your technicians will attach a compliance tag to your carbon dioxide extinguisher to display the most recent service date.
Service reporting: This will include an outline of the service, the date of your carbon dioxide fire extinguisher testing, the test results, and any recommendations to improve visibility. Provided your CO2 fire extinguishers pass testing, your technician will also sign off on a Certificate of Compliance.
What Class is a Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher?
Classes of fires are defined by the source that fuels the fire. In Australia, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are used to deal with Class B and Class E fires.
Class B fires are fueled by: flammable liquids like petrol, oil, paint and grease.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers combat Class B fires by displacing oxygen and depriving the fire of its fuel source. Suffocating the fuel will help smother the flames.
Class E fires are fueled by: malfunctioning electrical equipment such as appliances, faulty electrical wiring, and broken RCD safety switches or circuit breakers.
Class E fires pose a challenge due to the presence of electrical equipment. Spray from a carbon dioxide extinguisher is non-conductive, which minimises the risk of an electric shock or electrocution. Because they can swiftly extinguish the flames without conducting electricity, a carbon dioxide extinguisher is a safe and effective solution against fires, even when electrical hazards are involved.
7 Places to Find Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers
Since carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are a safeguard against electrical fire risks, they are popular items in homes, workplaces, commercial properties, and industrial sites.
Here are 7 common places you’ll find carbon dioxide fire extinguishers:
- Residential Properties: Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are a staple in homes and rental properties. Most people store them somewhere in their kitchen, or garage, where they can be close by if household appliances or electrical items combust.
- Workplaces and Offices: Electrical office equipment is used everyday for work, but any piece of equipment also presents a potential fire hazard risk. CO2 devices are the perfect extinguisher to deal with fires sparked by workplace devices.
- Commercial Properties: CO2 extinguishers are ideal for extinguishing fires involving electrical equipment and electrical appliances, as they are non-conductive and reduce the risk of electric shocks.
- Laboratories: These extinguishers are found in laboratories where flammable liquids are used, providing a quick and efficient way to tackle Class B fires.
- Server Rooms: Due to the presence of valuable and sensitive electronic equipment, CO2 extinguishers are essential for safeguarding server rooms from potential fires and short-circuited machinery.
- Paint and Spray Booths: Areas where flammable liquids are sprayed or oil-based paints are stored require CO2 extinguishers to mitigate the risk of fire.
- Industrial Settings: CO2 extinguishers are often used in industrial settings, where fire hazards from electrical machinery and industrial appliances need to be addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fire extinguisher for electrical fires?
A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is the best choice for an electrical fire. When dealing with electrical fires, you should only use an electrical fire extinguisher that is specifically designed to tackle that type of fire. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher (like a water fire extinguisher) on an electrical fire can be extremely dangerous and can potentially worsen the situation. A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is safe to use on electrical fires because CO2 doesn’t conduct electricity.
How do carbon dioxide fire extinguishers work?
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers function by displacing oxygen from the fire, suffocating it and effectively extinguishing the flames. When the handle is pressed, the carbon dioxide stored in the extinguisher is released in the form of a white cloud.
This cold discharge works by cooling the fire. The carbon dioxide gas is heavier than oxygen and can displace it from the fire area. By removing the oxygen supply, which is essential for combustion, the fire is deprived of the fuel it needs to sustain itself. Without fuel, the fire will die out.
Once the carbon dioxide dissipates, there is a risk of reignition if the fuel source is not removed or the area is not properly cooled.
What are the risks of carbon dioxide fire extinguishers?
CO2 fire extinguishers can help save lives during an emergency situation, but take care when using them! CO2 extinguishers discharge what’s known as dry ice. It’s extremely cold and can cause frost burns to skin. Avoid direct contact with CO2 spray from a fire extinguisher.
What’s the best car fire extinguisher?
Dry chemical power extinguishers (ABE) are the most versatile types of extinguisher for car fires. While carbon dioxide fire extinguishers can put out electrical fires, they are less effective on larger fires caused by everyday combustibles.
Key Takeaways
CO2 carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are a vital fire safety item in residential, commercial, and industrial areas. If you’re looking for a CO2 fire extinguisher, look for a bright red cylinder with a black band.
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are primarily used for Class E electrical fires caused by energised equipment, and Class B liquid fires fueled by combustible liquids. They work by displacing oxygen and cooling the fire to extinguish it.
Regular testing is important to ensure your carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are ready and reliable during all kinds of emergencies. When you need Test and Tag services for fire extinguishers and other safety equipment, contact The Local Guys!
