Overview of Products in High-Pressure Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression Systems 

1.1 Equipment Overview

High-pressure carbon dioxide fire suppression systems consist of a cylinder rack, extinguishing-agent cylinders, a leak‑detection device, piping for connecting to the distribution network, a liquid‑flow check valve, a manifold, a safety relief device, a selection valve, a signal‑feedback unit, extinguishing-agent delivery pipelines, nozzles, a driver‑gas cylinder bank, an electromagnetic actuator, drive lines, and a gas check valve, making it an intelligent, automatic fire‑extinguishing system. Depending on the specific application requirements, the system can be configured as either a standalone unit or a combined distribution system, employing a total‑flooding extinguishing method to provide fire protection for both single and multiple protected zones. It features advanced technology, high extinguishing efficiency, and convenient maintenance. The equipment offers three activation modes: automatic, manual, and mechanical emergency operation.

1.2 Application Areas

This equipment is primarily suitable for the following types of fires:

1. Gas fires in which the gas supply can be shut off before extinguishing;
2. Liquid fires or fires involving fusible solids such as paraffin wax and asphalt;
3. Solid surface fires, as well as deep-seated fires in certain solids such as cotton, textiles, and paper;
4. Electrical fire;

Typical citation locations:

It is primarily suitable for fire protection in critical facilities such as computer rooms, data storage rooms, library archives, bank vaults, valuables storage areas, paper warehouses, cotton warehouses, food storage facilities, traditional Chinese medicine warehouses, fur and leather storage areas, and cable tunnels. It can also be used in industrial settings with fire‑hazardous conditions, including impregnation tanks, melting vats, rolling mills, textile machines, generators, printing presses, oil‑immersed transformers, oil circuit breakers, large‑scale generators, hydraulic equipment, drying units, dry‑cleaning machines, dust‑removal systems, cooking appliances, paint‑spraying production lines, electrical aging chambers, coal‑powder silos in cement production processes, as well as ship engine rooms and cargo holds.

1.3 Fire-extinguishing agent

Carbon dioxide is a fire‑extinguishing agent that primarily works by physical asphyxiation, with cooling effects playing a secondary role. It is widely available, low‑cost, colorless, odorless, non‑conductive, and does not contaminate the protected object; moreover, it causes no damage to property or sensitive equipment. For these reasons, it is extensively used in modern fire‑protection systems and has become one of the principal gaseous extinguishing agents.

1.4 Safety Warning

1 ) Carbon dioxide extinguishes fires by asphyxiation and cooling; when used in occupied areas, the system must be equipped with a delay feature to ensure that personnel can evacuate during the delay period.

2 ) The user organization shall install conspicuous warning signs at the following locations; recommended wording for the signs is as follows:

    a ) Warning sign within the protected area: Warning! Upon hearing the on-site alarm, personnel must evacuate immediately.

    b ) At the emergency start button: Warning! Before initiating an emergency start, ensure that no one is present within the protected area.

3 ) In addition to the aforementioned warnings, other safety measures shall comply with the relevant current national regulations.

2. Fire Suppression Equipment Control Program

3. Structural Diagram of Fire Extinguishing Equipment

3.1 Unit-Independent System

A unitary independent system refers to a fire suppression system that employs a single extinguishing agent storage unit to protect a single protected area, and is used in facilities with special requirements or in standalone protected zones.

When a fire occurs in the protected area, the fire alarm and extinguishing control panel sends a command to open the driver‑gas cylinder assembly, releasing the driver gas. The driver gas travels through the driver‑gas piping, opening the extinguishing‑agent cylinder assembly and releasing the extinguishing agent. The extinguishing agent is delivered via the network piping, a flow‑check valve, a manifold, the extinguishing‑agent delivery lines, and nozzles into the protected area, thereby suppressing the fire.

The architecture of the unit‑independent system is shown in the figure:

1. 1. Fire-extinguishing agent cylinder rack 2. Fire-extinguishing agent cylinder assembly 3. Driver gas cylinder assembly 4. Initiating cylinder mounting assembly

5. Pressure gauge 6. Nitrogen‑driven gas container valve 7. Electromagnetic actuator safety pin 8 Electromagnetic actuator

9. 10. Mechanical emergency‑start safety pin 11. Mechanical emergency‑start button 12. Low‑leakage, high‑seal valve 13. Gas check valve

13. Starting pipeline 14. Fire‑extinguishing agent delivery pipeline 15. Nozzle 16. Manifold 17. Liquid‑flow check valve

18. Pipeline connection pipe 19. Low‑leakage, high‑seal valve 20. Safety relief device 21. Weighing‑based leak detection device

22. Pneumatic valve 23. Oxygen cylinder valve 24. Signal feedback device

3.2 Combined Distribution System

A combined distribution system refers to a fire-extinguishing agent storage unit that, through the selective activation of selection valves, protects two or more protected zones. With the exception of its combined distribution control—achieved by integrating gas check valves and selection valves—the remaining components are identical to those of an independent unit system.

The combined distribution system is suitable for protecting two or more protected zones. Its key feature is that each zone is equipped with its own driver‑gas cylinder bank and selection valve, while the extinguishing‑agent cylinders are shared—calculated based on the maximum extinguishing‑agent demand. Multi‑zone combined protection helps reduce initial capital investment.

When a fire occurs in any protected zone, the fire alarm and suppression control panel issues a command to open the driver‑gas cylinder assembly associated with that zone, releasing the driver gas. The driver gas travels through the driver‑gas piping to open the zone’s selection valve and the corresponding extinguishing‑agent cylinder assembly. The extinguishing agent then flows via the piping network, a liquid‑flow check valve, a manifold, the opened selection valve, and the agent delivery lines to be discharged into the protected zone. The driver gas opens only the selection valve for the designated zone, ensuring that the extinguishing agent does not enter other zones, while the gas check valve restricts the flow of driver gas to the specific extinguishing‑agent cylinder assembly’s container valve.

The structure of the combined distribution system is shown in the figure:

1. Driver Gas Cylinder Rack 2. Driver Gas Cylinder Clamp 3. Driver Gas Cylinder 4. Pressure Gauge

5. Nitrogen‑driven gas container valve 6. Low‑leakage, high‑seal valve 7. Safety pin for the electromagnetic actuator 8. Electromagnetic actuator

9. Mechanical Emergency Start Safety Pin 10. Mechanical Emergency Start Button 11. Selection Valve 12. Signal Feedback Device

13. Gas check valve 14. Extinguishing agent delivery pipeline 15. Manifold 16. Safety relief device 17. Nozzle

18. Low‑leakage, high‑seal valve 19. Fluid‑flow check valve 20. Start-up pipeline 21. Piping network connection pipe 22. Pneumatic valve

23. Oxygen Cylinder Valve 24. Weighing and Leak-Testing Device 25. Fire Extinguishing Agent Bottle Assembly 26. Fire Extinguishing Agent Bottle Assembly Bracket

4. Startup Method

This system offers three startup modes: automatic startup, manual startup, and mechanical emergency‑operation startup.

4.1 Automatic Startup Mode

Gas fire‑extinguishing alarm and control systems are typically equipped with two different types of fire detectors. The control panel features an “Automatic/Manual” selector switch (which may also be mounted separately outside the protected area). When set to the “Automatic” position, the fire‑extinguishing system operates in automatic mode.

When only one detector sends a fire signal, the control panel activates the alarm bell or the audible‑visual alarm to alert personnel of the fire, but it does not initiate the fire suppression system.

When both detectors issue fire signals, the control panel activates the alarm bells and the audible‑visual alarms, interlocks to close all openings in the protected zone, and initiates the fire‑extinguishing start‑up delay. Once the preset delay period elapses, the fire‑extinguishing system automatically starts.

If, during the spray‑delay period, it is determined that activation of the fire‑extinguishing system is not required, press the “Emergency Stop” button located outside the protected zone or on the controller to terminate the fire‑extinguishing command.

4.2 Manual Start Mode

When the transfer switch is set to the “Manual” position, the fire suppression system operates in manual mode.

In this mode, the detector sends a fire signal, triggering the control panel to activate the alarm bells and the audible‑visual alarms to alert personnel of the fire, but without initiating the fire suppression system. At this point, pressing the “Manual Start” or “Emergency Start” button on the external control panel or on the controller will enable the fire suppression system to operate.

Note: Regardless of whether the controller is in automatic or manual mode, pressing the “Emergency Start” and “Manual Start” buttons will activate the fire suppression system.

4.3 Mechanical Emergency Operation Initiation Method

When both automatic and manual activation fail, perform the mechanical emergency operation according to the following steps: 1) Manually shut down the linked equipment and disconnect the power supply; 2) Remove the “mechanical emergency start safety pin” from the solenoid actuator of the corresponding protected‑area gas‑cylinder assembly, then press the mechanical emergency start button. The solenoid actuator will open the gas‑cylinder assembly, releasing the driving gas to initiate the fire‑extinguishing system.

5. Main Technical Parameters

The main technical parameters of the high-pressure carbon dioxide fire-extinguishing system are shown in the table below.

FAQ on High-Pressure Carbon Dioxide Fire Suppression Systems

Q: What types of facilities are suitable for high-pressure carbon dioxide fire suppression systems?

A: Suitable for use in distribution rooms, equipment rooms, oil storage facilities, cultural relic storage rooms, and similar areas; it can extinguish Class A, B, and C fires as well as energized electrical fires, but must not be used on fires involving reactive metals.

Q: What is the extinguishing principle of a high-pressure carbon dioxide fire suppression system?  

A: By relying on the vaporization of liquid carbon dioxide, it rapidly cools the burning material while simultaneously diluting the oxygen concentration within the protected area, achieving dual extinguishing effects through cooling and smothering.

Q: What are the activation methods for high-pressure carbon dioxide fire suppression systems?

A: It features three activation modes—automatic, manual, and mechanical emergency—and can be connected to a fire alarm control panel, with spray discharge initiated via interlock with smoke and heat detectors.

Q: What is the main difference between high-pressure and low-pressure carbon dioxide systems?  

A: High-pressure CO₂ is stored in a liquid state at ambient temperature and high pressure; low-pressure CO₂ is stored in cryogenic tanks with thermal insulation. The high-pressure system has a simple structure and is suitable for small to medium-sized protected areas.

Q: What are the key considerations during system installation and construction?

A: Cylinders are stored in a dedicated cylinder room; piping is subjected to airtightness testing; nozzles are strategically arranged; pressure relief vents are installed in the protected area; and piping is adequately insulated against freezing.

Q: What items should be checked during routine inspections and maintenance?

A: Regularly weigh and verify the remaining quantity of the agent, inspect cylinder valves and pipeline connections for leaks, test alarm‑interlock devices, and check the cylinder body for rust or deformation.

Q: What effects does carbon dioxide discharge have on personnel within the protected area?

A: Carbon dioxide poses risks of asphyxiation and frostbite; personnel must evacuate promptly upon activation of the alarm. After discharge, ensure adequate ventilation and confirm safety before entering.

Q: Will the release of carbon dioxide damage precision electronic equipment?

A: The extinguishing agent leaves no residue, vaporizes rapidly, and operates at low temperatures for a short duration, making it relatively gentle on precision equipment in dry environments; however, in humid conditions, condensation may form, so caution is advised.

Q: Can the agent be refilled on-site after it has been discharged?

A: On-site refilling is not permitted. After discharge, the cylinders must be transported back to a qualified fire‑safety organization for inspection and subsequent recharging with carbon dioxide extinguishing agent.

Q: Does a high-pressure carbon dioxide fire suppression system meet the acceptance requirements for fire protection projects?

A: The product is accompanied by a fire‑safety inspection report, complies with relevant gas‑extinguishing standards, and, following installation and commissioning, can be integrated with the protected area to facilitate overall fire‑safety acceptance.