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FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
CO₂
CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems are designed to release carbon dioxide gas to extinguish fires.
The discharged CO₂ reduces oxygen concentration within the protected area to a level where combustion is no longer possible while also providing a cooling effect that further aids fire suppression.
During a final acceptance test, Fire Defense discharges a CO₂ Fire Suppression System to confirm the required CO₂ concentration is achieved throughout the protected space within the specified time. 
A Fire Defense local application CO₂ discharge nozzles installed within a gas pit beneath an automobile manufacturing line. The system is integrated with process interlocks to automatically halt production equipment upon activation.
CO₂ is electrically nonconductive and noncorrosive. After a CO₂ Fire Suppression System has been discharged, no residue is left behind and no cleanup is required.
CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems can be designed and installed in both local application and total flooding configurations, or a combination of the two.
In a local application system, CO₂ is discharged directly onto a specific hazard or protected area within a larger space. In contrast, a total flooding system distributes CO₂ throughout the entire enclosed room or space to achieve the required fire suppression concentration.
Undergoing fabrication prior to on-site installation, multiple CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems are built on free-standing rack assemblies to allow efficient installation and future relocation as facility layouts change. 
Inside a small enclosed chamber where linear heat detection initiates a total flooding CO₂ Fire Suppression System. Upon detection, the system discharges to achieve the required design concentration throughout the enclosure. 
Fire Defense installed this local application CO₂ Fire Suppression System protecting an industrial manufacturing process and associated equipment within a larger factory space. 
Part of a Fire Defense total flooding CO₂ Fire Suppression System installation aboard a marine vessel designed to achieve the required CO₂ concentration within the normally unoccupied engine room. 
Emergency manual actuation warning signage for a CO₂ Fire Suppression System, indicating no time delay or pre-discharge alarm and requiring personnel to clear the hazard area prior to operation.
While highly effective at extinguishing fires, CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems are generally not considered safe for use in normally occupied areas.
However, with careful hazard evaluation and the implementation of appropriate safeguards (including engineered safety features and personnel training) there are scenarios where CO₂ systems can be safely utilized in occupied spaces.
CO₂ FIRE SUPPRESSION APPLICATIONS
Battery rooms. Coating machines. Collectors. Dip tanks. Drain Boards. Ducts. Dust Collectors. Electronic equipment rooms. Electrical cabinets. Electronic generators. Engine test rooms. Flammable liquid storage. Gas pits. Honing Machines. Industrial fryers. Industrial machines. Marine vessels. Metal processing. Ovens. Paint lockers. Power facilities. Printing presses. Storage vaults. Sensitive manufacturing environments. Small machinery spaces. Spray booths. Switchgear Equipment. Subfloor areas. Transformer Vaults. Waste storage. Wet benches.
Design + Install
Fire Defense provides in-house drawings and turnkey installations for both pre-engineered and engineered CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems.
ITM
Fire Defense technicians are thoroughly trained and tested to perform periodic inspections, testing, and maintenance for CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems, including semi-annual and annual inspections, as well as required hydrostatic cylinder testing.
Emergency Service
Fire Defense is available 24/7 for emergency service. Our facilities and service vehicles are stocked with critical CO₂ system components — including actuation devices, control heads, pilot cylinders, and replacement hardware — to expedite repairs and minimize system downtime. CO₂ agent is maintained in inventory at our fire extinguisher and cylinder service facility to support rapid system recharge and restoration.
Codes and Standards
Fire Defense performs all services for CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems in accordance with applicable codes and standards, including NFPA 12, NFPA 72, local and international building codes, manufacturer requirements, customer specifications, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Note: NFPA makes its codes and standards available online for free. Select View Free Access under Current & Prior Editions and create a free account.
CO₂ manual release station integrated into a Fire Defense pre-assembled Fire Suppression System prior to on-site installation. 
Mechanical pressure gauge indicating FireTrace indirect tubing charge status on a small enclosure CO₂ system. 
Inspection tags displayed on main and reserve cylinders of a high-pressure CO₂ Fire Suppression System, documenting required service and compliance intervals.
Questions & Answers
What type of training is done to keep personnel safe?
Personnel working in or around protected areas should receive training on system operation, alarm recognition, evacuation procedures, lockout controls, and emergency response protocols. This training ensures that individuals understand the life safety risks associated with CO₂ discharge, the required precautions prior to system maintenance, and the proper actions to take in the event of a system discharge.
What is the difference between high-pressure and low-pressure CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems?
High-pressure systems store CO₂ in cylinders at approximately 850 psi at room temperature and are commonly used for most industrial applications. Low-pressure systems store CO₂ in refrigerated bulk tanks at lower pressure (approximately 300 psi) and are typically used for larger hazards requiring significant agent quantities.
Why is no manual abort button allowed on CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems?
NFPA 12 does not permit manual abort switches on CO₂ Fire Suppression Systems. In order to suppress a fire, CO₂ systems are designed to quickly achieve a potentially life-threatening concentration of CO₂ gas. A manual abort function could create hesitation, encourage occupants to remain in the protected space, or prevent the system from achieving its required design concentration. The life safety strategy is immediate evacuation rather than giving occupants a perceived option to delay system discharge.