CO2 Fire Extinguishers

CO2 extinguishers contain pressurised and liquidised Carbon Dioxide (CO2) at very high pressure. The CO2 is released when the handle is compressed. The CO2 gas is directed at the base of the fire with a jet valve (called the horn). The release of the CO2 creates a very fast and strong burst which is accompanied by a roaring sound and a strong recoil. The CO2 is an inert gas which smothers the fire and starves it of oxygen. The CO2 gas also cools down the fire, as it leaves the horn at sub-freezing temperatures. The gas cools down, as it changes from the liquidised state in the extinguisher to a gaseous form and there is the danger that the hand of the user freezes to the horn during the application of the extinguisher. We therefore recommend urgently that you only use CO2 extinguishers with double lined horns, which are safe to use and also have a stronger fire fighting capacity due to the venturii effect of the double lined horn.