CO 2 SYSTEM

CO 2 FOR FIREFIGHTING

A d v antage s :
Density is 1 .5 times higher than air. So CO 2 settles down and
displaces air.
It can be easily liquefied and bottled.
20% – 30% CO 2 concentration extinguishes fire by smothering
Non-corrosive
Non- conductor of electricity
No residues left after application
No deterioration with age
D i s a d vantages :
CO 2 is highly asphyxiating. 9% concentration causes
unconsciousness within minutes
Ver y little cooling ef fect. So there is danger of re-ignition.
When discharged, solid CO 2 par ticles present and generate
suf ficient static electricity to produce spark.
 PORTABLE CO 2 EXTINGUISHER

4.5 kg por table C02 fire extinguisher – body is made of solid

drawn steel which is hydraulically tested to 227 bar (22.7
MN/m 2 ) and it is coated internally and externally with zinc, the
external sur face being finally painted.
A solid brass pressing forms the head assembly and this is
screwed into the neck of the steel bottle. The head assembly
incorporates a lever-operated valve, copper dip tube, bursting
disc and a discharge horn made of non-conducting (electrically)
material that can be swiveled in one plane only into the desired
position.
Contents: The body is charged with 4.5 kg of liquid C0 2 at a
pressure of 53 bar (5.3 MN/m 2 ) approximately.
Performance: Range about 3 to 4 m in still air, duration of
discharge about 20s, about 2.5 m 3 of gas is produced.
CO 2 extinguisher contents, can be checked by regular weighing,
this should be done about ever y four months.
 FIXED CO 2 SYSTEM

For machiner y spaces containing diesel propelling machinery, or

auxiliar y machinery whose total power is 746 kW or more a fixed
fire-fighting installation has to be provided.
 A gas system
 High Expansion Foam System
 Pressure water spraying system
C0 2 total flooding system must give a 40% saturation of the
compar tment, of which at least 85% must be discharged into
the compar tment in 2 minutes.
 CO 2 FLOODING SYSTEM

Carbon dioxide installations are of either the high pressure

multi-cylinder or the low pressure bulk storage tank type.
The latter is par ticularly suitable where ver y large spaces are to
be protected. Up to 50% saving in weight is possible together
with lower cost and the merit of simplicity.
However, bulk storage installations require ancillary equipment,
e.g. duplicate refrigerating units and, in some trades,
replenishment may present dif ficulties.
 CO 2 FLOODING SYSTEM

For multiple cylinder installations, the CO 2 is stored in liquefied

form in solid drawn steel cylinders, 67 liters capacity, each charged
with 45 kg liquid CO 2 under pressure of 55 bar.
All cylinders are fitted with an internal pipe to ensure that liquid
only is discharged and freezing-up at the cylinder outlet is
prevented.
Since it would be impossible to manually open all the cylinders in
the bank simultaneously, gas pressure is utilized.
In one arrangement, the operator in the control position releases
the gas from master cylinders in the CO 2 , room by means of a
manual pull wire.
The CO 2 , from these cylinders acts on the pistons of a gang release
system. Movement of the piston actuates a system of levers
attached to the cylinder head valves which, by means of a special
cutter, release the gas to the manifold.
The released gas then passes to a master valve and thence to the
dif fuser heads in the protected space.
 RELEASE OF CO 2

First ensure that the compar tment is evacuated of personnel

and sealed of f. This necessitates closing all doors to the engine
room, shutting down skylights, closing dampers on vents and
stopping ventilation fans.
Pumps should also be stopped and collapsible bridge valves
closed.
These can be done by remote control from the fire control
station generally using a compressed air or hydraulic system.
Headcount is to be taken to ensure all personnel are accounted
for.
 RELEASE OF CO 2

The door of the steel control box situated at the fire control
station would then be opened.
This operates two switches –
 one is to operate audible and visual alarms in the engine room spaces
to warn personnel of imminent discharge of CO2 gas.
 the other is to shut of f ventilation fans.
The CO 2 master valve handle would then be pulled and this
would be followed by gas release by pulling the operating lever.
The operating lever opens two gas bottles which pressurize a
gang release cylinder that, in turn, moves an operating cable to
open all the bottles in the batter y.
The carbon dioxide gas then quickly floods the machinery space,
filling it to 30% of its volume in two minutes or less.
 RELEASE OF CO 2

The bottle valves may be of

the quick-release type where
the combined seal and
bursting disc is pierced by a
cutter.
The cutter is hollow for
passage of liquid CO 2 to the
discharge pipe.
An alternative type of quick
release valve is held in place
by a hinged linkage
arrangement until released.
 CO 2 FLOODING SYSTEM

The C0 2 storage bottles have seals which also act as bursting discs.
Should there be a C0 2 leakage from one or more of the star ting
bottles this cannot result in C0 2 discharge into the engine room from
the batter y because of the cable-operated master valve.
When leakage occurs either in the star ting section or main batter y a
pressure switch in the lines will cause alarms to be sounded, vents to
atmosphere can then be opened.
Bottle pressure is normally about 5 2 b a r (750lb/in 2 ) but this varies
with temperature. Bottles should not be stored where the
temperature is likely to exceed 55°C.
The seal/bursting discs are designed to rupture spontaneously at
pressures of 17 7 b a r produced by a temperature of about 6 3 ° C.
The master valve prevents CO 2 released in this way from reaching the
engine room. Gas is released by the relief arrangement on the
manifold, into the CO 2 space where, in the event that the release was
caused by a fire in the compar tment, the fire would be extinguished.
 MAINTENANCE AND TESTING

Ensure that all moving par ts are kept clean, free and well
lubricated.
Wires must be checked for tightness, toggles and pulleys must
be greased.
With the use of compressed air the CO 2 distribution pipes could
be blown through periodically.
C0 2 bottles must be weighed regularly to check contents
(alternately – an ultrasonic or radioactive isotope unit detector
could be used to check liquid level).
Recharging is necessar y if there is 10% weight loss.
CO 2 bottles are solid drawn steel, hydraulically tested to 228
bar.
Pipework is of solid drawn mild steel, galvanized for protection
against corrosion.
 PRESSURE TESTING OF CO 2 FLOODING
SYSTEM **
Pipe Section Area Material Test

Low Pressure Branch Pipe to Galvanized 7 Bar Air Blowing

Section Nozzles Seamless Test
Manganese Steel
Medium Pressure Master Valve to Galvanized 80 Bar Pressure
Section Main Pipe Seamless Test
Branches Manganese Steel
High Pressure CO2 Cylinder to Galvanized 190 Bar Pressure
Section Master Valve Seamless Test
Manganese Steel
Pilot Control Line Control Lines Galvanized 58 Bar Pressure
Seamless Test
Manganese Steel
 STORAGE OF CO 2

CO 2 cylinders or bulk storage tanks should be stored in a space

solely for that purpose.
The space should be well ventilated and illuminated, dr y, and
accessible from the open deck by a person wearing breathing
apparatus.
It should not present hazards to personnel in the event of leakage,
and the temperature should not exceed 60°C.
It should NOT be accessible directly from machiner y,
accommodation or cargo spaces and there should be suf ficient
headroom and space for maintenance and ser vicing (e.g. weighing
cylinders).
The space should be located no more than one deck below the open
deck.
Spaces where entrance from the open deck is not provided or which
are located below deck are to be fitted with mechanical ventilation.
The exhaust duct (suction) should be lead to the bottom of the
space.
Such spaces should be ventilated with at least 6 air changes per
hour
 CAPACIT Y OF CO 2 INSTALLATIONS

For the purpose of calculating the amount of gas required to

protect a space, the volume of free CO 2 is calculated at 0.56
m 3 /kg.
For machiner y spaces the minimum volume of free gas, so
calculated, must be the larger of the following volumes.
1 . 40% volume of the space except where the horizontal casing
area is less than 40% of the general area of the space
2. 35% of the gross volume of the largest machiner y space
protected, including the casing.
By comparison, Cargo Spaces (which can be more ef fectively
sealed), the corresponding minimum volume is only 30% of the
gross volume of the largest cargo space to be protected.
Additional CO2 may be required for machiner y spaces
containing large air receivers. This is because air released from
the cylinders through fusible plugs or over pressure release,
would increase oxygen content in the space.
 MAINTENANCE OF CO 2 FLOODING
SYSTEM **
M o nthly
Alarms, Machinery trips, Door alarm, Quick closing valves,
Flaps, Skylights, Ventilation fan trips to be tested.
Ye arly
General inspection of the installation, pipe lines to be checked.
2 Ye arly
1+
Verify CO 2 contents by mechanical advantage lever, ultrasonic
liquid level measurement or radioactive liquid level
measurement. Equipment for measuring CO 2 content must be
available on board ships. A maximum reduction of 5% in CO 2
content may be allowed provided total CO 2 quantity on board is
not less than the required amount.
Blow through the system with 6-7 bar air with plastic air bags at
the nozzle ends.
 MAINTENANCE OF CO 2 FLOODING
SYSTEM **
5 Ye a rly
1+2+
The ser vo cylinders and any remote controlled stop valves to be
tested by opening one pilot cylinder. The main CO 2 bottles must be
uncoupled for this purpose.
Spring loaded relief valves to be checked and pressure tested at
180 bar.
Checking of HP alarms which operate with gas pressure.
Section of CO 2 which can be shut of f must be tested with air at 25
bar.
1 0 Ye ar ly
1+2+5+
CO 2 bottles to be inspected internally. Siphon tube or dip tube to be
checked. Cylinders to be pressure tested at 250 bar. If permanent
change in volume is obser ved, those cylinders to be discarded.
After 20 years of installation of CO 2 flooding system, these tests to
be carried out ever y 5 years thereafter.
 MAINTENANCE OF CO 2 FLOODING
SYSTEM **
1 5 Ye arly a nd 5 y e ars t h ereafter
1+5+
Pressure test HP pipes, stop valves to engine room, pump room,
purifier room etc. at 190 bar (hydraulic), medium pressure pipes
at 80 bar (hydraulic) and low pressure pipes at 7 bar air.
Af ter hydraulic pressure testing, lines to be blown through by dry
air.
 CO 2 FLOODING SYSTEM –
PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED
Mai n CO 2 bottl es contai n car bon di oxi de i n l i qui d state wi th a pr essur e of
56 bar at 20°C. Pr essur e of CO 2 at 25 & 30°C ar e 64 bar and 71 bar
r especti vel y. So i t i s i mpor tant to keep the temper atur e of CO 2 bottl es l ow
for l i mi ti ng the pr essur e i nsi de bottl es.
CO 2 fr om the mai n bottl e i s r el eased by a ‘ CO 2 r el ease cabi net’ . As soon
as the r el ease cabi net door i s opened, a mi cr o swi tch i s acti vated. The
mi cr o swi tch wi l l ensur e the acti vati on of CO 2 war ni ng al ar ms and
venti l ati on shut off.
CO2 r el ease cabi net or r el ease box consi st of two pi l ot CO 2 cyl i nder s or
bottl es contai ni ng CO 2 gas i nsi de. The pr essur e of CO 2 i nsi de these pi l ot
bottl es i s same as that of mai n CO 2 bottl es. Onl y quanti ty of gas i s
di ffer ent.
F or r el easi ng CO 2 to the pr otected space, one of the pi l ot bottl e val ve i s
opened. Now CO 2 r eaches two val ves mar ked 1 and 2.
F i r st val ve 1 i s to be opened. Then CO 2 passes thr ough a non r etur n val ve
and opens pneumati cal l y oper ated master val ve. Now master val ve i s
opened.
Next, open val ve 2 i n the r el ease cabi net, whi ch suppl y CO 2 to mai n CO 2
bottl e head assembl y thr ough a non r etur n val ve and ‘ ti me del ay uni t’ .
 CO 2 FLOODING SYSTEM –
PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED
Head assembly consist of a pressure operated cylinder valve. This
pressure operated cylinder valve prevents CO 2 from bottle coming
to the common manifold.
As CO 2 reaches the head assembly from pilot bottle, pneumatic
actuator in the head moves and opens the pressure operated
cylinder valve.
Then CO 2 from main bottle escapes to the common manifold via
non return valve as shown. Each of the main CO 2 cylinder have a
head assembly and non return valve. The pilot CO 2 line is
connected to all these heads.
All the CO 2 from the main bottles now release to common manifold.
Since the master valve is already open, CO 2 from manifold is
released to the protected space through distribution pipe lines and
nozzles.
Two release cabinets are provided, local & remote. Both release
cabinets are connected in parallel and non return valves fitted in
the lines prevent back flow of CO 2 . Also two pilot CO 2 bottles are
placed in the release cabinet. Only one is suf ficient for the
operation of both master valve and CO 2 bottle head assembly.
 TIME DELAY UNIT

CO 2 from the pilot bottles in release cabinet reaches main CO 2

bottle head assembly through a t i me d elay u nit. Function of this
time delay unit is to delay the supply of CO 2 to the head
assembly for 60 – 90 seconds.
This gives suf ficient time for any personnel in the protected
space to escape, even af ter the operation of both valves in the
release cabinet.
 (FSS Code) 2.1.3.2 says, “The pre-discharge alarm can be automatically
activated (e. g. by opening the release cabinet door). The alarm shall
operate for the length of time needed to evacuate the space, but in no
case less than 20 seconds before the medium is released.”
If CO 2 is released from main bottles to the common manifold
before opening master valve, there may be dif ficulty in opening
master valve because of the bulk CO 2 pressure acting on it.
Because of the time delay, positive opening of the master valve
is ensured before releasing CO 2 .
 TIME DELAY UNIT

Two types of time delay unit is commonly used in CO 2 flooding

system on board ships. One is electrical type, which has an AC
220 V power supply, a pressure switch, timer and a solenoid
valve.
Power source is always available for the unit. Solenoid valve is
normally in closed position.
When CO 2 from pilot cylinder (CO 2 release cabinet) reaches the
time delay unit, the pressure acts on the pressure switch. This
closes the pressure switch. But the timer allows power supply to
the solenoid only af ter 60-90 seconds, the timing can be
adjusted as required.
As soon as the specified time is reached, solenoid becomes
energized and the solenoid valve will open. This allows passage
of CO 2 to the pressure operated cylinder valve of main bottle.
Normally a by pass valve is also fitted across this time delay
unit which can be used in case the unit goes defective.
 TIME DELAY UNIT

Another type of time delay unit uses an empty bottle fitted just
before the head assembly. This empty bottle fills first before
supplying pressurized CO 2 to the head assembly.
This is more reliable since there is no electrical components
involved.
 CO 2 SYSTEM FOR HOLDS **

For the detection of smoke, 20 mm diameter sampling pipes are

led from the various hold compar tments in the vessel to a
cabinet on the bridge.
Air is drawn continuously through these pipes to the cabinet by
suction fans, which deliver the air through a diver ting valve into
the wheel house.
When a fire breaks out in a compartment, smoke issues from
the diver ting valve into the wheelhouse, warning bridge
personnel of the outbreak.
Simultaneously, an electronic smoke detector in the cabinet
sets of f audible alarms, hence if the bridge is unoccupied, the
notice of outbreak of fire is still obtained.
 CO 2 SYSTEM FOR HOLDS **

With the cabinet is a dark chamber wherein the sampling pipes

terminate in labeled chimneys.
Dif fused light illuminates strongly any smoke issuing from a
chimney, hence the compar tment which is af fected by fire can
easily be identified.
Below the dark chamber in the cabinet is a well lighted
compar tment fitted with a glass window and hinged flap cover.
Inside this compar tment, 13 mm diameter glass tubes are fitted
which are the ends of the sampling pipes, these glass tubes
protrude into the metal chimneys in the dark chamber above.
Small nylon propellers are visible inside the glass tubes in the
lighted por tion of the cabinet and when the fans are in
operation these propellers will be seen to be continuously
whirling if the sampling tube is not blocked.
 CO 2 SYSTEM FOR HOLDS **

Change over valves are generally situated inside the lower

por tion of the cabinet, one for each of the sampling pipes.
To flood an af fected compar tment with C02 gas, the operator
would first operate the appropriate change over valve and
secondly release the requisite number of C02 cylinders for the
compar tment.
CO 2 gas would then pass through the sampling pipe to the space
in which the fire exists.
 BU LK CO 2 SYSTEM

It consists of a large, well insulated container (older systems may

have two containers) which holds carbon dioxide at a working
pressure of about 21 bar, temperature about -20°C.
Low temperature steels, fully tested and stress relieved, are used
and the vessels are mounted on suppor ts capable of withstanding
collision shocks.
In order to maintain this low temperature, duplicated refrigeration
units automatically controlled by the pressure of the carbon dioxide
are used. One unit is suf ficient to deal with heat ingress into the
CO 2 and is rated to operate for no more than 18 hours per 24 hours
when the ambient temperature is +38°C. The other unit is standby.
One refrigeration unit would be in operation and in the event of
failure, the other would cut in automatically and warning would be
given.
Since it is essential that pressure in the container be maintained
for fire extinguishing within a set range a heater cuts in if required
to increase the pressure of the carbon dioxide.
 BU LK CO 2 SYSTEM

The liquid CO 2 discharge is through a 150 mm bore pipe fitted

with an isolating valve but the quantity of CO 2 discharged into
the various spaces is controlled by timed opening of a discharge
valve.
A relief valve is fitted which will relieve excess pressure in the
discharge pipe should the isolating valve be closed with liquid
CO 2 trapped in the discharge manifold.
Automatic or remote operation can be achieved by utilizing CO 2
gas pressure from the top of the tank as the operating medium.
 BU LK CO 2 SYSTEM
To ensure a dangerous high pressure condition does not exist if a
serious refrigeration fault develops, pressure relief valves are fitted,
discharging directly to atmosphere.
The valves are mounted on a changeover valve and are set to
discharge CO 2 gas if the pressure in the vessel rises above the
design pressure of 23.8 bar.
Each valve can in turn be isolated for removal and periodic testing.
The vessels are fitted with a capacitance type continuous indicator,
together with a standby liquid level indicator which ensures that the
CO 2 liquid level can always be checked approximately by opening the
standby liquid level indicator valve which will flood the pipe to the
same level as the pressure vessel.
A frost line will appear due to the low temperature of the liquid CO 2 .
Closing the valve will cause the CO 2 to vaporize back into the
pressure vessel.
The filling and balance lines are normally run to the main deck por t
and starboard sides for hose connections to be made to a road
tanker.
The balance line is used to equalize pressure with the road tanker
during the filling operation.
 BU LK CO 2 SYSTEM

Two sets of relief valves are fitted, LP valves are set at around
24.5 bar, HP valves at around 27 bar.
It is a requirement that the HP valves vent into the
compar tment in which the container is situated - this venting
would occur in the event of fire in the compar tment where the
container is situated.
Alarms are provided for:
 1. Loss of 5% of contents (low level).
 2. Increase up to 98% of free volume (high level).
 3. Leakage past main discharge valve.
 4. Opening of section valve.
Balloons fitted over open ends of waste pipes give indication of
relief valve leakage.
High pressure. Two level indicators are provided, one remote the
other local.
 BU LK CO 2 SYSTEM

A d vantages
Because of the considerably reduced amount of steel, the
storage tank compared with multi-cylinders gives an
approximate 50% weight saving and because low pressure CO 2
has a greater density than CO 2 at ambient temperature, the
volume it occupies is considerably less in terms of deck space.
Low pressure CO 2 usually costs considerably less than CO 2
supplied in cylinders resulting in lower filling cost.
D i sadvantages
Relatively complex system, this reduces reliability. A power
supply is required.
 BU LK CO 2 SYSTEM

Op eration
The appropriate section valve is opened (alarm sounds) and the
main discharge valve is opened.
The main discharge valve is usually fitted with an actuator for
remote control, carbon dioxide is then delivered for a specified
period (which depends upon the size of the compar tment) and
the main valve is closed.
 WALTER KIDDE CO 2 SYSTEM **

In this system, pilot CO 2 cylinders are used to open the distribution

system main stop valve and subsequently the valves on the
individual cylinders.
The system has two banks of cylinders. The pilot CO 2 cylinders are
contained in a control box and are normally disconnected from the
pilot system.
To operate the system, a flexible pipe fitted with a quick action
coupling is plugged into a corresponding socket.
When the valve on the pilot cylinder is opened the pilot CO 2 will
open the system main stop valve.
The stop valve actuator is a piston device and when the piston is
fully depressed a second por t is exposed which allows the pilot gas
to flow to the CO 2 cylinder bank and to operate the cylinder valves.
As soon as the control cabinet door is opened an alarm is initiated
and the position of the hoses in the quick-coupling housings
prevents the door from being closed.
 BEFORE O PERATING CO 2 SYSTEM **

1 . On outbreak of fire, the fire alarm will sound and the bridge
of ficer will know the location of fire. If the fire is too big to fight
with por table extinguishers, all crew should be gathered in muster
station for a head count.
2. Inform the wheel house about the situation of the fire. The chief
engineer should take the decision in consent with the master to
flood the engine room with CO 2 for extinguishing the fire.
3. The Emergency generator should be star ted as CO 2 flooding
requires all engine room machiner y, including the auxiliar y power
generator to be stopped.
4. Reduce ship speed and stop the main engine at a safe location.
Captain should inform the nearest coastal authority if the ship is
inside a coastal zone.
5. Open the cabinet of the CO 2 operating system in the fire station
with the “Key” provided nearby in the glass case. This will give an
audible CO 2 alarm in the engine room.
6. Some systems and machiner y like engine room blowers and fans
etc. will trip with opening of CO 2 cabinet. Counter check all the
tripped system for surety.
 BEFORE O PERATING CO 2 SYSTEM **

7. Operate all remote closing switches for quick closing valve,

funnel flaps, fire flaps, engine room pumps and machiner y,
water tight doors etc.
8. Air condition unit of ECR should be stopped.
9. Close all the entrance doors of the engine room and make
sure the room is air tight.
10. Make sure there is no one lef t inside the engine room by
repeating the head count.
11 . Operate the control and master valve in the CO 2 cabinet.
This will sound another alarm and af ter 60 seconds time delay
CO 2 will be released for fire extinguishing.
12. If there is a need to enter the engine room for rescuing a
person (which must be avoided), SCBA sets and life lines should
be used.
 AFTER O PERATING CO 2 SYSTEM **

Ensure that CO 2 is actually released after the operation of the

system.
 Loud noise of gas escaping to the protected space.
 CO2 bottles can be felt cold after releasing.
 Visual inspection of the operation of, pressure operated cylinder valves also
can be carried out.
Keep the boundar y cooling running to reduce the temperature of
the engine room.
Before engine room entr y is made or space ventilated, it is
recommended to obtain exper t advice from shore. Nearest coast
guard can be contacted for getting assistance for the same.
Ventilation of engine room should not be star ted until it has been
definitely established that the fire has been extinguished
completely, which will take several hours.
Engine room to be suf ficiently ventilated before entering.
Entr y to be carried out by trained personnel wearing breathing
apparatus.
Even after fire has been extinguished completely, never bring bare
flame due to danger of re-ignition.