Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) fire suppression systems remain one of the most effective solutions for high-risk, high-value environments. While their use is less common than other suppression technologies, they are indispensable in specific applications due to their unique ability to rapidly extinguish fires without leaving any residue.
At Astro Fire Systems, CO₂ fire protection is a core discipline. We design, install, and maintain bespoke CO₂ systems with a focus on total flooding and local application systems, both compliant with BS 5306-4:2001+A1:2012.
CO₂ is an odourless, colourless, and electrically non-conductive gas that extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen in the protected area. Its rapid discharge and high efficiency make it ideal for critical hazards where water or foam systems are unsuitable.
Key advantages of CO₂ suppression:
However, because CO₂ can be dangerous to personnel at design concentrations, life safety is a critical design consideration.
Total flooding involves discharging CO₂ into an enclosed area until a fire-extinguishing concentration is achieved. This method is ideal for spaces where the fire could originate anywhere within the volume, such as:
Features of a total flooding system:
Our engineers ensure all installations are carried out with BS 5306-4 compliant volume calculations, hold-time analysis, and fail-safe discharge mechanisms.
CO₂ systems are used when the fire risk is confined to a specific piece of equipment rather than a room. This method targets the fire directly at its likely source, making it ideal for:
System characteristics include:
Local application systems offer effective protection without requiring full-room design compliance, reducing cost and installation complexity .
At suppression concentrations, CO₂ poses a serious threat to life. That’s why every CO₂ system from Astro Fire Systems includes critical safety features:
We design with the philosophy that fire safety must never compromise life safety, and we ensure all systems take into consideration the safety of personnel and occupants during and after any discharge event . It is critical that strict processes and policies are put into place prior to completion of any CO2 fire protection system.
Astro Fire Systems handles every phase of your CO₂ installation:
CO₂ fire suppression remains the gold standard for certain industrial and specialised facilities. Typical industries we serve include:
Where water, foam, or clean agents cannot be used, or are not effective, CO₂ delivers the reliability needed to protect critical operations.
Astro Fire Systems is a trusted leader in CO₂ suppression, with extensive experience delivering systems for complex hazards. All systems are built to rigorous safety and design standards, ensuring high performance and peace of mind.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can protect your facility with a CO₂ solution tailored to your risk.
