Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers

Thomas Glover Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers from 2Kg to 5Kg

CO2 fire extinguishers (carbon dioxide) are the only fire extinguisher recommended for fires involving electrical equipment. CO2 is safe to use on and around electrical equipment, as the gas itself is non-conductive, and once used, there is no sticky foam or messy powder left behind. They are also effective on Class B fires (flammable liquids).

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are painted bright red with a black panel above the operating instructions. They have a distinctive horn-shaped nozzle at the side on the smaller models with 5kgs and above having a hose and horn.

How Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers Work

CO2 extinguishers stores carbon dioxide gas under great pressure (55 bar or 825psi), where the gas becomes a liquid. When you operate the fire extinguisher levers, the pressure is released, the CO2 pressure is reduced by the diffuser (horn) and expands back into a gas, rapidly cooling the surrounding air.

This process is so fast, it can cause ice to form on the horn, so never hold a CO2 fire extinguisher by the horn to avoid freezing your skin. To be most effective, a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher should be used no closer than 3 feet and no further than 8 feet from the fire itself.

For the UK, they are commonly made in two sizes, 2kg and 5kg. The compressed gas required an extremely thick cylinder so many buyers prefer super-strong aluminium rather than heavier steel models, so that their staff can lift and use the CO2 extinguishers more easily.

The 2kg models tend to have a swivel horn, which must not be held during operation to avoid freezing your hands. The 5kg models usually feature a hose with the horn attached with the horn normally having a handle.