What Are The Advantages of Using Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing Systems on Ships?

Marine CO2 fire extinguishing systems offer numerous advantages in marine applications, including the following:

1. Highly Efficient Fire Extinguishing

• CO2 rapidly reduces the oxygen concentration in the fire area (to below 15%), extinguishing various fires through suffocation. It is particularly effective against fuel, electrical, and solid fuel fires.

• After injection, the gas spreads evenly, covering complex ship structures (such as gaps between engine room equipment and corners of cargo holds), providing high fire extinguishing efficiency.

2. Residue-Free and Cleanable

• After extinguishing a fire, it leaves no water, oil, or chemical residue. It also prevents corrosion or damage to ship machinery, electrical equipment, or cargo, minimizing secondary damage. It is particularly suitable for protecting precision instruments (such as those in communications control centers).

3. Insulation and Electrical Safety

• CO2 is non-conductive and can be safely used to extinguish short-circuit fires in areas such as electrical equipment rooms and switchboards. It can be activated without shutting off the power, reducing the risk of equipment downtime.

4. Adaptability to the Special Environments of Ships

• The system utilizes corrosion-resistant materials (such as stainless steel piping) to withstand marine salt spray and humid environments, ensuring long-term stable operation.

• It can be designed to suit the ship's compartment structure (e.g., independent piping for the engine room and cargo hold), and precisely controlled by selector valves to adapt to different fire risk areas.

5. System Reliability and Operational Ease

• The system utilizes high-pressure gas cylinders for storage, eliminating the need for an external power source. It can be activated via multiple methods, including pneumatic and manual, ensuring emergency operation even in the event of a ship's power system failure.

• It also features a clear maintenance cycle (such as regular inspections of gas cylinder pressure and valve tightness), complying with maritime safety regulations (such as the SOLAS Convention).

6. Cost and Space Advantages

• CO2 raw materials are readily available and have low storage costs, making them more economical than gas fire extinguishing systems (such as IG-541).

• Gas cylinders are centrally located in a dedicated compartment, and piping is laid along the hull structure, saving space and adapting to the compact ship layout.