Author: Yasmin Roussel

Are CO2 Fire Extinguishers Dangerous?

Friday 8th November 2024

When it comes to fire safety, CO2 fire extinguishers are a popular choice for tackling fires involving electrical equipment and flammable liquid fires (class B). They’re effective and leave no messy residue, but they must be used correctly to ensure safety. Misuse of a CO2 fire extinguisher could be dangerous to the user or anyone nearby, with severe consequences.

The dangers of CO2 fire extinguishers

Easily recognised by their flute-shaped discharge horn, CO2 extinguishers are colour coded with a black label on the red extinguisher. While CO2 extinguishers can save lives in an emergency, if mishandled or used in the wrong situation they also pose the following potential risks.

Safety risks from CO2 extinguishers:

  • Suffocation
  • Frostbite / cold burns
  • Visibility impairment
  • High pressure release injury

CO2 displacing oxygen

A CO2 extinguisher works by displacing oxygen in the air, suffocating the fire since it cannot burn without oxygen. Discharging a CO2 extinguisher within a poorly ventilated area or confined space can affect people nearby. The displacing of oxygen and increase in CO2 can lead to suffocation or asphyxiation

Cold burns (frostbite) from gas or nozzle

CO2 is released from the extinguisher at extremely low temperatures, typically around -78°C (-109°F). Meaning that if either the gas or nozzle came into contact with skin, this would cause cold burns or frostbite. When ordering CO2 extinguishers, we recommend buying a CO2 extinguisher with a frost-free horn.

Pressure hazard

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are highly pressured (about 55 bar at room temperature). Therefore, if handled improperly, dropped or damaged, this could cause the extinguisher to explode or enable gas to escape suddenly.

Limited fire suppression capability

CO2 extinguishers are primarily suitable for fires involving flammable liquids (class B) and electrical equipment. Though CO₂ is cold when released, it is unsuitable for Class A fires involving solid combustibles like paper or wood. Class A fires require water-based extinguishers that penetrate/saturate the burning material to extinguish and prevent re-ignition. A smouldering Class A fire could re-ignite once the CO2 gas has dispersed.

How to safely use carbon dioxide extinguishers

In order to safely use a CO2 extinguisher, you should ensure that once the pin has been unlocked, the extinguisher is being held upright. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire and avoid touching the horn. Squeeze the handle to release the CO2.

Once discharged, move to fresh air as soon as possible, away from the CO gas to avoid suffocation or visibility impairment. Prevent injuries by carefully handling the CO2 extinguisher to avoid damage and to prevent any accidental gas release.

Why are CO2 extinguishers useful?

CO2 extinguishers are useful as they have the ability to extinguish fires without causing damage to electrical equipment, also leaving no residue at the same time. This key quality means CO2 extinguishers are particularly valuable in server rooms or anywhere with a lot of expensive electrical equipment.

One drawback of CO2 extinguishers is they are unsuitable for class A fires (solid combustibles). However, in office or retail environments, they are often paired with a water extinguisher or foam extinguisher. In these cases, the CO2 handles electrical fires, while water or foam can be used to tackle class A fires. It’s common to see CO2 extinguishers alongside water or foam extinguishers, unless the fire risks are solely covered by the CO2.

Where are carbon dioxide extinguishers suitable for?

As CO2 fire extinguishers are suitable for fires involving electrical equipment, they are ideal for server rooms. These days CO2 extinguishers are mainly used in this type of environment as they leave no harmful residue that may contaminate sensitive circuitry. Please note, that the use of CO2 gas on electronics can still damage the circuits through static or temperature shock.

Should carbon dioxide extinguishers be used in offices?

CO2 extinguishers are generally not recommended as the primary choice for office use because they are not effective on class A fires. CO2 extinguishers are designed for Class B (flammable liquids) and electrical fires; however, most fire risks in office spaces are typically Class A and live electrical equipment. While CO2 is effective for electrical fires, these fires often ignite nearby combustible materials, escalating into a Class A fire. At this point, the CO2 extinguisher would not be effective for extinguishing the Class A fire, so a water-based extinguisher is generally required to safely put it out.

Water mist extinguishers that have been di-electrically tested are an ideal alternative in offices as they can handle all common office fire risks (including class A and live electrical equipment), allowing a single extinguisher at each fire point instead of two. This also reduces the risk of someone using the wrong extinguisher on a fire type, which could be very dangerous.

Call our team on 0800 612 6537 to discuss your fire extinguisher requirements or explore our website and see our impressive range of affordable fire safety products in greater detail.

Top 10 Pet Fire Safety Tips

Thursday 15th August 2024

Dog and cat sitting happily on family bed

Pet fire safety is vital, as nearly half of all UK households own a pet. Be aware of the increased fire risks they can bring. Statistics show each year, 500,000 pets are impacted by fire related incidents, with 40,000 tragically dying from fire-related causes. Additionally, pets are directly responsible for starting around 1,000 fires annually. Pet fire safety at home is an important step towards protecting your whole household from fire. So, what risks should you be aware of?

Increased fire risks include:

Pets and electrical safety

Dangling wires, unsupervised charging devices, trailing cables and lights can lead to pets either playing with, chewing or tripping over them. To prevent fire risks, secure wires out of reach and avoid leaving devices charging where your pets can access them. Hair accessories such as curling tongs and straighteners can also easily be knocked from their heat mats by pets. Ensuring they are never left unsupervised when turned on is crucial. Also keeping out of reach and turning them off once finished with, is extremely important.

Dog laid in front of open fire

Pets and heaters or log fires

Portable heaters can easily get knocked over and open log fires can be caught whilst passing which can lead to a fire. Invest in a fire guard, never leave pets unattended near heat sources, and place portable heaters safely to reduce fire risks.

Pets and candles

Candles can be easily knocked over while lit, potentially causing fires. To prevent this, use battery-powered candles. If you light traditional candles, keep them out of your pets’ reach and always extinguish them before bedtime or leaving the house.

Dogs and ovens or hobs

Dogs, especially curious or energetic ones, can accidentally create dangerous situations in the kitchen. One common risk is that pets might bump into or play with oven and hob dials, accidentally turning them on. This can cause the stove to ignite, leading to a fire hazard, especially if there are flammable items nearby like dish towels, paper, or grease.  To prevent this, keep pets out of the kitchen while cooking or purchase stove knob covers.

Pet fire safety in the garden

Open fire pits and camp fires are a risk towards pets, alongside patio heaters which can be knocked over. Be especially careful with pets around BBQ’s as they may have the temptation to steal meat or fish which could lead to knocking over the BBQ. Keep pets away from these areas or have limited access within the garden to prevent this.

Install working smoke alarms

Ensure smoke alarms are installed on every floor of your home, including the basement and attic, to ensure you’re alerted to a fire as soon as it starts. By installing working smoke alarms on every floor of your home, you significantly increase your family’s chances of escaping safely in the event of a fire.

Regularly test smoke alarms

Testing your smoke alarms regularly is a vital part of maintaining home safety. Smoke alarms are only effective if they are in good working condition, and regular testing ensures that they can reliably alert you in the event of a fire. We can offer you help with our smoke alarm reminder service, reminding you via SMS or email at your chosen frequency to test your smoke alarms.

Pet fire safety escape plan

Develop a comprehensive fire escape plan that includes provisions for your pets. Ensure that every member of your household knows and regularly practices the plan, so they are prepared in an emergency.

Keep fire extinguishers and blankets handy

Have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket readily available for emergencies. A water or water mist extinguisher is ideal as they are pet-friendly, containing no harmful substances and leaving no residue.

Keep Hallways and Exits Clear

Ensure hallways and entrances are free of clutter, allowing a quick and safe escape in case of a fire. Facing obstacles whilst trying to escape during a fire can cause injuries and prevent escaping in some scenarios. This also helps firefighters easily access your home and rescue pets or family members inside.