Kidde Fire Systems Surge Protector P/N 81-CO2MAN-001 Manuale Utente
General Information
September 2013
1-7
September 2013
Industrial applications typically consist of equipment or processes where flammable liquids are
involved. Examples of industrial hazards that can be protected by carbon dioxide are dip tanks,
mixing tanks, spray booths, ovens and dryers, quench tanks, coating machines, wet benches,
commercial fryers, and printing presses.
Carbon dioxide is used in commercial applications to protect equipment or areas that have:
•
•
high capital costs
•
high productivity value
•
critical mission role essential to business operations
Examples of commercial applications are cable trenches, computer room subfloors, electrical
cabinets, data (tape) storage units, and so on.
There are numerous marine applications for carbon dioxide systems; these include dry cargo
spaces, machinery spaces, pump rooms, and paint lockers. Refer to the Marine Carbon Dioxide
Design, Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual, Part No. 81-220610-000, for detailed
information.
1-8
EXTINGUISHING PROPERTIES OF CARBON DIOXIDE
Carbon dioxide is highly efficient in suppressing surface fires including flammable liquids and
solids. When introduced into the combustion zone, carbon dioxide causes almost immediate
flame suppression. It suppresses the fire by reducing the oxygen concentration, the fuel vapor
concentration, or both, in the vicinity of the fire to the point where these available
concentrations are too low to support combustion. In general, a reduction of the oxygen
concentration to 15 percent or less by volume is sufficient to extinguish most diffusion-flame
fires in flammable liquids. The cooling effect is also helpful in certain applications, especially
where carbon dioxide is applied directly on to the burning material.
When deep seated fires are encountered, a higher concentration of carbon dioxide and a much
longer hold (retention) time are needed to allow any smoldering fires to be suppressed and to
allow the material to cool to a temperature at which it will not re-ignite.
1-9
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON DIOXIDE
The physical properties of carbon dioxide are provided in Table 1-1.