Fike Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Suppression Systems
Carbon dioxide remains one of the most powerful and cost effective fire suppression agents for industrial hazards. Fike high pressure CO2 systems are designed for harsh, dirty, or difficult environments where other clean agents are not practical, and where equipment damage or downtime would be extremely costly.
Suppression Systems, Inc. designs, installs, and services CO2 systems for special hazards throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Maryland. We combine Fike hardware with strict NFPA 12 safety practices so that life safety and property protection stay in balance.
Why Choose CO2 For Industrial Fire Suppression
CO2 is the heavy duty option for demanding industrial applications. It is a colorless, odorless gas that extinguishes fire by reducing oxygen at the flame zone and by absorbing heat from the fuel.
- Deep seated fire performance. CO2 can reach into machinery, cable voids, and complex equipment where fires burn deep inside materials.
- No residue. Like other gaseous systems, CO2 leaves no water or powder behind, which helps avoid cleanup and secondary damage.
- Fast agent availability. Carbon dioxide is widely available, and refilling a CO2 system after a discharge is typically less expensive than refilling many halocarbon clean agents.
- Flexible design options. Total flooding and local application designs allow protection of entire rooms or specific pieces of equipment.
CO2 is one of several technologies SSI offers for special hazards. For comparison with halocarbon agents, see our pages on ECARO 25 clean agent systems, FM 200 systems, and FK 5 1 12 clean agent systems, as well as our ProInert2 inert gas systems.
Life Safety First, CO2 And Occupied Spaces
CO2 is for normally unoccupied hazards only. Because it extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen, it can create life threatening conditions for people who remain in the space. For this reason, CO2 systems must be designed, installed, and maintained with strict attention to NFPA 12 and applicable safety regulations.
Typical safety features for CO2 systems include the following.
- Pre discharge alarms. Audible and visual signals to warn personnel that the system will discharge.
- Time delays. Pneumatic or electronic time delays that provide a short window for evacuation before agent release.
- Lock out devices. Lock out valves or mechanical lockouts that allow safe maintenance in the hazard area.
- Mechanical and electrical interlocks. Interlocks to shut down equipment and ventilation before or during discharge.
- Warning signs and training. Clear signage at entrances and ongoing training so personnel understand how to respond to alarms.
SSI designs CO2 systems in accordance with NFPA 12, Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems, and aligns safety practices with guidance from organizations such as OSHA, NIOSH, and the Fire Suppression Systems Association.
Typical Applications For Fike CO2 Systems
CO2 is best suited to tough industrial hazards where people do not normally work inside the protected volume.
- Industrial dip tanks and paint lines that use flammable and combustible liquids.
- Printing presses, paper converting machines, and laminators where heat and fuel are tightly packed.
- Engine rooms, generator enclosures, and turbine compartments that are normally unoccupied.
- Flammable liquid storage rooms and process areas with tanks, pumps, or mixers.
- Machining centers, dust collection equipment, and other special hazards where deep seated fires are a concern.
For special hazards that must remain normally occupied, SSI will review alternatives such as FK 5 1 12 clean agents, inert gas, or specialty water mist systems rather than CO2.
Fike High Pressure CO2 Hardware And System Features
SSI uses Fike high pressure CO2 components to build systems that are reliable and serviceable over a long life cycle.
- Cylinder assemblies. High pressure cylinders in a range of sizes allow systems to be tailored to the specific hazard volume.
- Modular discharge valves. Valves and manifolds that support both total flooding and local application designs.
- Flexible actuation. Electric, pneumatic, and manual release options to match the process and safety requirements.
- Integrated controls. Release panels that coordinate detection, alarms, time delays, and agent discharge.
You can review technical details of typical cylinder arrangements in the Fike CO2 cylinder assembly data sheet.
For facility safety managers who need broader background on CO2 properties and exposure limits, additional technical material is available from resources such as the US EPA SNAP program and NIST fire research.
How CO2 Systems Work During A Discharge
In an emergency, the CO2 system must perform the same way every time. The sequence of operation is carefully engineered so that life safety steps occur before agent release.
- Detection devices sense a fire condition and send a signal to the releasing control panel.
- The panel activates audible and visual alarms, and a pre discharge time delay starts to allow evacuation and process shutdown.
- Ventilation and equipment interlocks operate according to the design, typically shutting down fans and closing dampers.
- After the time delay and safety checks, the control panel energizes the release devices and opens the CO2 cylinder valves.
- CO2 flows through a piping network to nozzles aimed at the hazard, where it displaces oxygen and cools the fuel.
The result, when designed and maintained correctly, is rapid knockdown of industrial fires that might otherwise be very difficult to control.
For a video demonstration of typical CO2 system components and operation, see the media link used on the SSI CO2 page: Watch CO2 System Overview Video.
Design, Installation, And Maintenance By SSI
Industrial CO2 systems demand experienced engineering and disciplined maintenance. SSI brings decades of special hazards experience to each project.
- Hazard analysis, layout, and hydraulic calculations for total flooding and local application CO2 systems.
- Turnkey installation, commissioning, and integration with detection, alarm, and process control systems.
- Inspection, testing, and maintenance in line with NFPA 12, manufacturer requirements, and insurance or AHJ expectations.
- Coordination of cylinder hydrostatic testing intervals and agent refills so systems remain ready for service.
For facilities with a mix of technologies, SSI can also evaluate when CO2 is the right choice and when another agent, such as FK 5 1 12, ECARO 25, FM 200, or ProInert2, may be better suited to an occupied or environmentally sensitive area. Our Design Considerations For Special Hazards article explains how these decisions are made at the engineering level.
Frequently Asked Questions About CO2 Fire Suppression
Is CO2 fire suppression safe for people
CO2 systems are intended for normally unoccupied spaces because the agent works by reducing oxygen to levels that will not support life. NFPA 12 includes detailed requirements for alarms, time delays, lockouts, and emergency procedures to protect anyone who might enter the area. For occupied rooms with sensitive equipment, SSI typically recommends clean agents such as FK 5 1 12 rather than CO2.
When should I use CO2 instead of a clean agent
CO2 is often selected for industrial processes, machinery, or flammable liquid hazards where there is little or no normal occupancy and where deep seated fires are possible. Clean agents and inert gas systems are usually preferred for data centers, control rooms, and other occupied spaces where life safety and environmental factors are primary concerns.
How often do CO2 cylinders need to be tested
High pressure cylinders are subject to periodic hydrostatic testing requirements that depend on cylinder design and regulations. SSI tracks test intervals as part of our inspection and maintenance programs so cylinders are removed, tested, and reinstalled on a proper schedule without leaving the system unprotected.
Can an existing CO2 system be upgraded for better safety
Many legacy systems can be improved by adding or updating detection, time delays, local manual release stations, emergency stop stations, and warning devices. SSI can review an existing CO2 installation and recommend upgrades that align with current NFPA 12 guidance and owner safety standards.
Where does SSI provide CO2 system services
SSI designs, installs, inspects, and services CO2 fire suppression systems across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Maryland. For projects that include other fire suppression technologies, we also support clean agents, inert gas, and specialty water systems through our Fire Suppression solutions portfolio.
Talk With An Industrial Fire Protection Specialist
CO2 is a powerful tool when applied to the right hazard with the right safeguards. The first step is a conversation about your process, equipment, and life safety requirements.
To review a new project, evaluate an existing CO2 system, or compare alternatives, contact the SSI team through our Contact Us page. We will help you align technology choice, safety, and long term serviceability so your industrial facility is prepared for the fires that standard sprinkler systems cannot handle.