Can CO2 Fire Extinguishers Be Used on All Fires?

Easily identified by a black label, CO2 fire extinguishers are a vital piece of fire safety equipment for many environments — but they should not be used on all fires.

There are many different types of fire extinguishers available to help you safely tackle the type of fire you’re faced with. Whether it’s in the home, the workplace or a public space, it’s always worth making yourself familiar with which extinguisher type is most effective – and safe – to use in different scenarios.

The area in which the fire is located, along with the fuel that is feeding the fire, factors into whether you can use a certain type of extinguisher. That’s why this month at Fire Safety Equipment, we will look at the most appropriate fires to use a CO2 fire extinguisher on, along with the fire types you should never use them for.

What can a CO2 fire extinguisher be used for?

CO2 fires are most commonly used to tackle electric fires. They are most appropriate for this task because, where electricity is involved, more damage can be done by spraying the area with water. Since carbon dioxide is used to displace oxygen – a key element in starting and perpetuating a fire – flames can be extinguished without creating additional electrical hazards or leaving residue on nearby, valuable electrical infrastructure that could otherwise be destroyed. 

This is an ideal extinguisher type to have around any electrical items for this reason, especially in laboratories and server rooms.

In addition to this, CO2 extinguishers can also be used on some Class B fires. These are fires that involve flammable liquids such as petrol and oil, but this does not extend to cooking oils and fats. So, whether you’re in an industrial warehouse or working in an auto garage, this extinguisher type can help to displace oxygen and lower the temperature of the fuel that is burning.

What types of fires can’t CO2 fire extinguishers be used for?

While very effective in certain scenarios, CO2 extinguishers are not an all-purpose extinguisher, and should never be used on the following fire types:

• Class F fires (cooking fires) – Where oils and fats are burning at high temperatures, a CO2 extinguisher would only risk spreading the liquid and the fire. Instead, you need a wet chemical fire extinguisher to create a cooling layer on the top of the liquid which will then extinguish the flames.
• Class A fires (solid fuels) – Solid fuels, usually organic materials such as wood, paper, textiles and plastics, need an extinguisher that can cool the materials throughout, soaking them to prevent reignition when the flames have been put out. Instead, foam fire extinguishers or water fire extinguishers are better suited here.

It should also be noted that carbon dioxide fire extinguishers also pose a risk of asphyxiation if used in enclosed or confined spaces, which means they aren’t suitable for heavily populated spaces indoors. On top of this, when used in a small room, they can create visibility issues, making it dangerous for anyone seeking to evacuate safely. For this reason, a powder fire extinguisher could be more appropriate in a setting such as an office, where there are many people but still the risk of an electrical fire.

If faced with an electrical fire involving lithium-ion batteries, you can use a lith-ex fire extinguisher. These have been specifically designed with a special additive to safely cool and cover the battery to prevent re-ignition.

No matter which fire extinguisher type you need, we have all options covered here at Fire Safety Equipment, from automatic units to polished fire extinguishers. You can even browse our high-quality extinguishers by application to help you find the specific equipment you need for your business, building or vehicle type.

Order online today and get fast, free delivery on all orders in the UK for all the essential equipment you need to help keep your premises, staff and visitors safe.