1.

SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The components of CO2 Flooding System are:
a. Cylinder Rack: The rack consists of single row of Mild Steel (MS)
channels & brackets with bolts which is a fabricated structure. The open
rack type assembly is a self-standing structure made of Mild Steel (MS).
It hosts the system manifold in one side of the rack, using a reinforced
channel to hang cylinders by means of their weighing system.
b. Master Cylinder: CO2 cylinders are connected together to a common
manifold, which can be operated electrically through solenoid actuator as
well as manually. CO2 bottles contains liquid CO2. As per the installation,
there are 7 cylinders are installed for a single rack assembly in which
only 1 as acting as Master cylinder.
c. Slave Cylinder: These cylinders are connected to the Master cylinder.
Once the master cylinder is activated electrically or manually, the slave
actuation assembly, through pneumatic principle, will activate the slave
cylinders. These slave cylinders are not electrical connected for actuation.
CO2 bottles contains liquid CO2. As per the installation, there are 7
cylinders are installed for a single rack assembly in which 6 as acting as
Slave cylinders.
d. Flexible Hose: The flexible hoses are used to connect discharge valves
with a manifold and to interconnect pneumatic actuation circuits with
each valve. Flexible hoses are designed for multiple connection types and
lengths depending on the service they should provide within the
extinguishing system. Like the other components, the flexible hoses are
thought to withstand all difficult industrial environments and therefore
their materials have been selected accordingly.
e. Check Valve: The standard check valve is used for flow control
purposes, allowing gas to flow only in one direction. The check valve
used in this installation is Non-Return Valve (NRV).
f. Weight Monitoring Device: Weight Monitoring device is used to
monitor the weight of gas continuously installed in the system and gives
alarm if agent i.e. Carbon Diode (CO 2) weight is reduced as per the
settings kept in it.
g. Weight Monitoring Panel: This device is used to automatically monitor
the contents of the CO2 cylinder. When the CO2 gas falls the indicator on
the device will show that it is empty and an optional Micro-switch can be
 installed to send a signal to the control panel. This is the most effective
method of monitoring the CO2 gas in the cylinders. It provides required
supply for weight monitoring unit. This panel also supervises the wire
connection for open and short condition. On receipt of low weight
indication from the cylinder bank; the panel gives audio and visual
indications.
h. Gas Release Panel: The Microprocessor based CE Mark Agent release
panel has dual function of detection and release of gaseous agent. The
system has 16X2 LCD character, 2 zones detection circuit and One main
and standby agent release circuit, it has various logic programmable
options, linear power supply, the system has RTC facility, Auto &
manual operational facility, solenoid output with ON and OFF timer,
programmable Main/ standby cylinder output facility, gas inhabit and
instant release, manual release with time delay or without time delay and
pressure low sensing facility. Battery polarity & Deep discharge
protection.

RE-120 GR will have all safety features to prevent accidental

release, user friendly programmable options, the system is ideal choice to
protect areas like, Server rooms, data center, paint booths and hazards
areas etc. The system is user friendly with includes all standard to ensure
ease for use and high reliability.
i. Manual Release Switch: This switch is used to release/ activate the
suppression system manually. After opening the outer cover and by
pressing the switch forcibly, the input signal is sent to the Gas Release
Panel. Based on the program settings, the gas will get released. It operates
on 24VDC where the outer body is in green color. This is usually fixed
near to the exit door.
j. Abort Switch: This switch is used to momentarily interrupt the release
circuit signal when the control unit is in the alarm condition.
k. Hooter: Strobe, also called as alarm strobes, are known as alarm
sounders and sounder beacons – the key component in any
commercial/residential security or fire alarm system. They are low power
high light output sources to ensure their visibility in all applications.
Strobe lights are required in fire alarm systems – used to endow people
with hearing loss with a visual alert of an emergency.
l. UV Flame Detector: UV flame detectors are sensory devices that are
designed to respond to Ultraviolet radiation that has a wavelength that is
 less than 300nm. It work by detecting the radiation emitted by a flame.
They are capable of detecting explosions and fires within 4 milliseconds
with a time delay of 3 to 4 seconds to minimize false alarms that can be
triggered by other UV sources like sunlight, lightning, radiation and arc
welding. UV detectors normally operate with wavelengths less than
300nm to reduce the effects of environmental background radiation. The
effectiveness of UV detectors can be reduced by oily contaminants.
m. Smoke Detector: Smoke detectors are used to detector the smoke
presence in the protected area. The principle of Photo electric type smoke
detectors are installed here. These are the initiating devices of the
installed system. These detectors send signal to the panel of the smoke
presence in the protected area.
n. Discharge Nozzle: Discharge nozzles are installed in the machinery
space through which liquid CO2 get gasified instantaneously thereby
causing the atmosphere in the space to become inert and smothering the
fire.
o. Manual Lock-out Valve: The valve is pressure operated and includes
also a manual lever for emergency actuation.
 2. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE

CO2 Flooding System

CO2 Flooding System is one of the common fixed firefighting systems
installed in various kind of industries. It releases carbon dioxide (CO 2) in bulk
quantity to a protected space under fire. Smothering action of CO 2 extinguishes
the fire thereby preventing spreading of fire to other parts of space. These
systems are custom designed for the specific application. It consist of several
CO2 cylinders located. These cylinders contain CO2 in liquid state.

The quantity of carbon dioxide required for the protection of any

particular hazard is dependent on the cubic capacity or the surface area of the
hazard, together with the type of material involved, temperature of the hazard,
and with allowance for special conditions. When the fire in a protected space
goes out of control or in a situation when the fire is not able to extinguish by
local firefighting media, CO2 flooding system comes into picture. CO 2 from the
cylinders directed via common manifold, main valve and distribution pipe lines
to nozzles through which it is released to the protected space for fire extinction.

Total flooding

This type of application injects a sufficient volume of carbon dioxide into

an enclosure so that an inert atmosphere is created. The enclosure should be
reasonably well sealed and doors, vents and other openings should be arranged
to close on the discharge of the system. Enclosures with openings that cannot be
closed can be protected if known at the design stage. For deep-seated type
hazards (insulation, rags, storage vaults, etc.) the enclosure must be well sealed
to retain the carbon dioxide for a long period of time. The location and
orientation of discharge nozzles for these applications is not of major concern,
minor deviations to project design can generally be accommodated.

Manual Call Point (MCP):

A micro-switch within the unit is held “off” by the edge of the glass.
When the glass is broken the switch is released and a signal is transmitted to the
control panel where the alarm is raised. The glass is plastic coated to eliminate
any danger of splinters causing injury.

A specialist test key (provided) may be pushed into the bottom of the unit
to lower the glass and release the micro-switch, thus a full functional test is
achieved.

Entering Enclosures after CO2 Discharge

The plant should be evacuated upon CO2 discharge according to the

plant Emergency Evacuation Plan. Only qualified, trained, and properly
equipped personnel should re-enter the plant after discharge.

Staff entering a protected space after a CO 2 discharge must be very

cautious of the hazards involved. CO2 concentrations are likely to be at lethal
levels until the gas is ventilated. A written procedure must be developed and
followed when allowing staff to enter the space:
  Enough time should be allowed for the CO 2 application to extinguish the
fire.
 Proper clearances and confined space entry permits must be issued.
 Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) must be worn.
 Verification should be made that the fire is extinguished before entering.
 Doors and vents should be opened and fans used to evacuate CO 2 and
smoke.
 Atmospheric tests for toxic gas and adequate oxygen must continue until
it is safe to reclassify the space as non-permit required confined space and
allow other qualified personnel to enter.

Note! Before entering into the protected area after CO2 discharge, the automatic
release of the system shall be isolated and the lock-off control activated.
 3. MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE
CO2 Flooding System

CO2 flooding system must be handled, installed, inspected and serviced

only by qualified and trained personnel accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions and the system installed.
A regular program of systematic maintenance must be established for
continuous, proper operation of the system. A periodic maintenance schedule
must be followed and an inspection log maintained for ready reference.
As a minimum, the log must record:
(1) Inspection interval,
(2) Inspection, procedure performed,
(3) Maintenance performed, if any, as a result of inspection, and
(4) Name of inspector performer task.
If inspection indicates areas of rust or corrosion present, immediately
clean and repaint the area.
Schedule Requirement
Weekly Check cylinder pressures
1. Inspect hazard area system components for mechanical
breakage
Monthly 2. Check cylinder pressures
3. Make sure that nothing has been placed to interfere the
normal operation of the system
Semi-annually Test electric control heads
1. Cylinder should be weighed to determine the CO2 content
Every Year 2. If the net weight is decreased by 10% of the actual weight,
cylinder should be recharged.
Blow out distribution piping with air or CO2 to make sure that the
Every 2 years
line is not blocked.
Every 5 years Cylinder and flexible hoses hydrostatic pressure test