Experts in fire protection

Functionality of a carbon dioxide extinguishing system

Quick and effective fire fighting is the strong point of carbon dioxide extinguishing systems. Extinguishing with carbon dioxide is achieved by displacing the oxygen from a fire source quickly - and thus starving the fire. The high heat binding capacity of the carbon dioxide causes the withdrawal of energy from the source of the fire, which enhances the extinguishing effect.

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems, due to their special extinguishing agent properties, feature advantages over other inert gas extinguishing systems: Even freestanding objects in a room can be protected. The liquefied carbon dioxide forms a thick aerosol cloud in the flooding zone. Special local application nozzles put the extinguishing agent precisely at the object to be protected.

Advantages

The extinguishing effect of carbon dioxide is caused by the fast displacement of oxygen in the vicinity of the fire source and a high heat-retention capacity. Due to special extinguishing agent properties, carbon dioxide extinguishing systems are not only able to protect entire rooms, but also open facilities. Carbon dioxide is a natural component of ambient air and electrically non-conductive. Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems require little space for storing the extinguishing agent.

  • Suitable for both, the protection of rooms and freelystanding objects
  • Carbon dioxide is a natural component of ambient air and is therefore readily available
  • Extinguishes without residue without adversely affecting the protected objects
  • Chemical reactions as a result of extinguishing are virtually impossible
  • The extinguishing agent is electrically nonconductive and therefore suitable for protecting electric system components
  • The homogeneous distribution of extinguishing agent and the fast concentration buildup provide optimum effectiveness
  • After a fire, there is no extinguishing agent residue and therefore no cleanup expense
  • The extinguishing effect is ensured even at low ambient temperatures
  • Reliable extinguishing provides maximum protection of assets
  • The system technology for components has been tried and tested for decades
  • The modular, multi-zone system can be easily adapted for most renovation or expansion measures
  • Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems allow space-saving extinguishing agent storage, especially with low-pressure vessels
  • After a fire, the extinguishing system is ready for operation again, at a low cost
  • Approvals by certified test bodies and design compliance with national standards ensure acceptance by insurance companies and building authorities
  • If installed, insurance companies grant rebates on fire and fire business interruption insurance




Do you have questions regarding the product or would you like individual advice? Please feel free to contact us!

Design

1
Local application nozzle
2
Fire detection element
3
Electric horn
4
Fire detection and control panel
5
Safety valve with changeover valve
6
Pneumatic horn
7
Low-pressure vessel with weighing unit
8
Pilot control or selector valve
9
Pneumatic control device
10
Room protection nozzle
Construction of a carbon dioxide extinguishing system
  1. Local application nozzle
  2. Fire detection element
  3. Electric horn
  4. Fire detection and control panel
  5. Safety valve with changeover valve
  6. Pneumatic horn
  7. Low-pressure vessel with weighing unit
  8. Pilot control or selector valve
  9. Pneumatic control device
  10. Room protection nozzle

How does a carbon dioxide extinguishing system work?

Supply in low-pressure vessels

Supply in low-pressure vessels

If large quantities of extinguishing agent are needed for the overall safety concept, a low-pressure vessel is recommended – especially on economic grounds. The liquefied carbon dioxide is stored in the vessel at a temperate of approx. –20 °C and at an operating pressure of approx. 20 bar.

A cooling unit provides a constant low temperature. The operating costs are minimized through optimum insulation design. The supply vessel is mounted on a easy to calibrate electronic weighing unit, which constantly displays the actual weight and therefore any potential loss of gas due to leaks.

Supply in high-pressure steel cylinders

Supply in high-pressure steel cylinders

At installation, high-pressure steel cylinders are combined in one cylinder bank with special frames and independent suspension. Arranged in one or more rows, surprisingly large supplies of gas can be stored in a very small space. 

The special frames can easily be adapted for extended protection zones or quick replacement of individual cylinders. Each cylinder suspension is also a weighing unit, which automatically indicates small leakages of extinguishing agent.

Functional readiness and operational safety

Neuralgic functions and components of the extinguishing system, such as the gas quantity, shutoff, release and distribution units, are monitored to ensure the constant functional readiness of the extinguishing system.

Control and monitoring of the carbon dioxide extinguishing systems is provided via Minimax fire detection system. Fire detectors monitor the protected zone. If the system detects smoke or an excessive rise in temperature or flames, the fire detection control panel initiates the extinguishing process.

Applications

Due to its outstanding properties, the carbon dioxide extinguishing system is the ideal fire protection solution for many areas of application. Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems are well-suited for high risk areas, where, in the event of a fire, it is necessary to keep the protected objects available and functioning, to minimize operational interruptions after a fire, to prevent reactions between the burnt material and the extinguishing agent, to prevent damage from the extinguishing agent itself and to ensure effective extinguishing of objects in areas with difficult access (3-D extinguishing effect).

Cable ducts
Cable ducts

Protection zone

Whether for power supply or data transmission, countless cables are required for the operation and supply of a power station. In order to provide adequate protection, in addition to for aesthetic reasons, cables are distributed via cable channels and organized in cable rooms and galleries.

Risks

  • Technical defects, such as short circuits
  • Rapid spread of fire

Fire Protection

The Minifog ProCon water mist extinguishing system is used in cable ducts as well as in cable rooms and galleries. Designed with impulse nozzles in cable ducts, and with twin hollow core nozzles in cable rooms and galleries, this water mist extinguishing system is particularly notable for its minimal consumption of water. Fire detection and triggering of the water mist extinguishing system in cabling areas is done through fire detection systems with optical smoke detectors. 

Filter systems
Filter systems

Protection zone

Filter systems are used whenever the production process generates fumes, or when dusts are released through abrasion. Fine dusts occur for example, when milling or cutting plastics or when processing other materials.

Risks

  • Explosive atmosphere
  • Highly flammable dust in the filter bags

Fire Protection

Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems are ideal for protecting filter housings against fires. In the case of metal extraction, however, the Oxeo extinguishing system using the argon extinguishing agent is the right choice to preclude interactions of the extinguishing agent with combustible metal. A fire detection system will trigger the extinguishing system.

Gas turbines
Gas turbines

Protection zone

The gas turbine is the heart of the gas- and steam-generating station. Its main components are housed in an acoustic enclosure for reasons of noise protection.

Risks

  • Hot surfaces on which lubricating oil can ignite
  • High fire load

Fire Protection

Carbon dioxide extinguishing system ensure quick, residue-free fire extinguishing, even in areas which are difficult to access. In large turbines low pressure CO2 extinguishing systems are frequently used, since due to the liquid storage only a small amount of space is required for a lot of extinguishing agent. Alternatively Minifog ProCon XP high-pressure water mist extinguishing systems offer reliable protection. Compared to classical water spray extinguishing systems, Minifog ProCon XP however reduces the consumption of extinguishing water by approx. 95%. This extremely low consumption of extinguishing water reduces the risk of water damage and thermal warping of hot machine parts to a minimum. A fire detection system releases the extinguishing system by means of UniVario flame- and heat detectors.

Hot rolling mills

Protection zone

Red-hot slabs delivered reach further machining temperatures of between 750 and 1,250 degrees celsius in the furnace. This induces similar fire risks as in the coking plant and sinter plant. Added to this during roll-out are hydraulically driven presses and edging stands with similar risks such as the drive components during continuous casting. Leakages in hydraulic pipes often trigger a spray jet or oil mist which easily ignites in such an environment. High temperatures are a constant occurrence during rolling, thereby posing an unavoidable source of ignition.

Risks

  • Hydraulic pipes along the rolling mills
  • High material temperatures

Fire Protection

Automatic fire detection on rolling mills is a problem due to the operational disturbance variables such as embers, steam or flying sparks. In certain segments, fire detection relies on personnel-intensive video monitoring. In the event of a fire, the extinguishing system is triggered manually. Deluge systems protect the roller stands.

Storage of hazardous substances
Storage of hazardous substances

Protection zone

Hazardous substances are materials or mixtures that are explosive, combustible or harmful to human health or the environment. Warehouses where such substances are stored have a great variety of typical designs, subject, however, to specific laws and regulations applicable to their construction. Such provisions require e.g., fall-safe storage, soil protection in the form of collecting reservoirs and extinguishing water retention systems as well as the prevention of operational sources of ignition.

Risks

  • Rapid spread of fire
  • Devastating effects of fire on people and the environment

Fire Protection

As a rule, the planned fire protection system for hazardous substance storage is determined in particular by the characteristics of the stored goods. Accordingly, nearly the full range of fire extinguishing systems is used in such facilities. For this type of storage, Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems are often the preferred solution: they extinguish fires quickly without leaving residue, and reactions between the burnt materials and extinguishing agents are precluded. Alternatives are Oxeo EcoPrevent systems or CO₂ or foam extinguishing systems. A fire detection system triggers the extinguishing systems. UniVario flame and heat detectors are used for detection purposes.

Wet paint-spray systems
Wet paint-spray systems

Protection zone

In wet paint-spray systems, primers, base and cover coats or clear paint coats are often applied electrostatically using paint robots on car bodies or larger workpieces. Paint-spray systems typically consist of devices for the preliminary treatment of the vehicles, paint booths with paint robots, cooling zones and drying areas, filter equipment and various work booths for inspection and repairs. Ventilating and aerating systems ensure the necessary atmospheric environment in the paint-spray and work booths.

Risks

  • Technical defects in the power supply
  • Highly flammable, solvent-based paints
  • Sparking
  • Paint deposits in the drying furnaces

Fire Protection

Sprinkler systems are often the preferred choice for paint booths, paint dryers and manual work booths. Paint driers operating at temperatures in excess of 100 °C require a sprinkler system with a dry pipe system. If the paint booth’s technical facilities - e.g. filter systems - are particularly sensitive to water, water-saving Minifog ProCon water mist extinguishing systems offer a good alternative. For paint robots, Minimax offers a special solution based on a carbon dioxide high-pressure extinguishing system. Special, quick-response FMX flame detectors detect ignition sources and transmit signals to the fire alarm control panel. This control panel sends command impulses for shutting down robots, conveyor systems, the supply of paint, air and solvents and triggers the extinguishing system. The control air of the paint robot is deactivated and, instead, carbon dioxide is emitted aiming specifically at extinguishing the fire.

Downloads

Carbon Dioxide Systems
Brochures (5 mb)
EN DE FR PL

Related technologies