CO2 FLOODING SYSTEM – FIXED

FIRE FIGHTING ON SHIPS

CO2 flooding system or central bank CO2 system is one of the common fixed
fire fighting system installed on most of the ships. It releases carbon dioxide
(CO2) in bulk quantity to a protected space (such as engine room, cargo hold,
purifier room, pump room, etc.) under fire. Smothering action of CO2
extinguishes the fire thereby preventing spreading of fire to other parts of
the ship. It consist of several CO2 cylinders located in a separate room, called
CO2 room. These bottles contain CO2 in liquid state. When the fire in a
protected space goes out of control or in a situation when the fire is not able
to extinguish by local fire fighting media, CO2 flooding system comes into
picture. CO2 from the bottles directed via common manifold, main valve and
distribution pipe lines to nozzles through which it is released to the protected
space for fire extinction. Due to safety reasons, the CO2 flooding system is
manually released from a release cabinet located outside the protected
space.

Why CO2 is used?

Carbon dioxide is the fire extinguising medium used in CO2 flooding system.
It is an effective fire suppression agent applicable to a wide range of fire
hazards. It has a high rate of expansion which allows it to work fast. When
applied to a fire, CO2 provides a heavy blanket of gas that reduces the
oxygen level to a point where combustion cannot occur. Since carbon dioxide
is a gas, there is no clean up associated with a system discharge. CO2, a
compound of carbon and oxygen, is a colorless gas which cause coughing to
occur when inhaled. At higher concentrations it is acutely toxic. Low and high
pressure CO2 is used for the fire protection of machinery spaces, pump
rooms, cargo holds, paint stores and galley exhaust ventilation ducts on
board ships.

There are several advantages for the CO2 as a fire fighting medium. They are:
▪
Density is 1.5 times higher than air. So CO2 settles down and displaces air.
▪ It can be easily liquefied and bottled.
▪ 20% – 30% CO2 concentration extinguishes fire by smothering
▪ Non-corrosive
▪ Non- conductor of electricity
▪ No residues left after application
▪ No deterioration with age

Similarly there are some disadvantages also, such as:

▪ CO2 is highly asphyxiating. 9% concentration causes unconsciousness within
minutes
▪ Very little cooling effect. So there is danger of re-ignition.
▪ When discharged, solid CO2 particles present and generate sufficient static
electricity to produce spark.

Explanation of CO2 Flooding System

As mentioned earlier CO2 flooding system floods the protected space under
fire with carbon dioxide, which displaces air, thereby removing one leg of fire
triangle for the extinction of fire. CO2 flooding system consist of main CO2
bottles, common manifold, master valve or distribution valve and
distribution pipe lines with nozzles as shown in the figure below
Main CO2 bottles contain carbon dioxide in liquid state with a pressure of 56
bar at 20 degree Celsius. Pressure of CO2 at 25 and 30 degree Celsius are 64
bar and 71 bar respectively. So it is important to keep the temperature of
CO2 bottles low for limiting the pressure inside bottles. CO2 from the main
bottle is released by a ‘CO2 release cabinet’ as shown in the figure. As soon
as the release cabinet door is opened, a micro switch is activated. The micro
switch will ensure the activation of CO2 warning alarms and ventilation shut
off. CO2 release cabinet or release box consist of two pilot CO2 cylinders or
bottles containing CO2 gas inside. The pressure of CO2 inside these pilot
bottles is same as that of main CO2 bottles. Only quantity of gas is different.
For releasing CO2 to the protected space, one of the pilot bottle valve is
opened. Now CO2 reaches two valves marked 1 and 2. First valve 1 is to be
opened. Then CO2 passes through a non return valve and opens
pneumatically operated master valve. Now master valve is opened. Next,
open valve 2 in the release cabinet, which supply CO2 to main CO2 bottle
head assembly through a non return valve and ‘time delay unit’. Function of
the time delay unit is explained below. Head assembly consist of a pressure
operated cylinder valve. This pressure operated cylinder valve prevents CO2
from bottle coming to the common manifold. As CO2 reaches the head
assembly from pilot bottle, pneumatic actuator in the head moves and opens
the pressure operated cylinder valve. Then CO2 from main bottle escapes to
the common manifold via non return valve as shown. Each of the main CO2
cylinder have a head assembly and non return valve. The pilot CO2 line is
connected to all these heads. All the CO2 from the main bottles now release
to common manifold. Since the master valve is already open before, CO2
from manifold is released to the protected space through distribution pipe
lines and nozzles.

As you can see in the diagram, there are two CO2 release cabinets. One is
local release cabinet and is located in the CO2 room itself. One more remote
release cabinet is used, which is located in a remote place such as fire control
station. This facilitates operation of CO2 flooding system from a remote place
other than CO2 room. Both release cabinets are connected in parallel and
non return valves fitted in the lines prevent back flow of CO2. Also two pilot
 CO2 bottles are placed in the release cabinet. Only one is sufficient for the
operation of both master valve and CO2 bottle head assembly.

CO2 flooding system explained here protects only a single space. There are
systems which can protect multiple spaces such as engine room and pump
room together. In that case separate release cabinets will be there for engine
room and pump room. Main CO2 bottles are shared for engine room and
pump room according to the volume of the spaces.

Time Delay Unit in CO2 Flooding System

CO2 from the pilot bottles in release cabinet reaches main CO2 bottle head
assembly through a time delay unit. Function of this time delay unit is to
delay the supply of CO2 to the head assembly for 60 – 90 seconds. In other
words, when valve 2 in the release cabinet is opened, CO2 reaches only after
60 to 90 seconds to the head assembly. Reasons for providing such a s delay
in CO2 flooding system are given below.
1. As soon as CO2 release cabinet opens, alarm is sounded in the protected
space. A time delay of 60 to 90 seconds give sufficient time for any personnel
in the protected space to escape, even after the operation of both valves in
the release cabinet.
2. If CO2 is released from main bottles to the common manifold before opening
master valve, there may be difficulty in opening master valve because of the
bulk CO2 pressure acting on it. Because of the time delay, positive opening of
the master valve is ensured before releasing CO2.
3. Regulation per International Code for Fire Safety System (FSS Code) 2.1.3.2
says, “The pre-discharge alarm can be automatically activated (e. g. by
opening the release cabinet door). The alarm shall operate for the length of
time needed to evacuate the space, but in no case less than 20 seconds
before the medium is released.”

The time delay can be achieved in different ways. Out of these, two types of
time delay unit is commonly used in CO2 flooding system on board ships.
One is electrical type, which has an AC 220 V power supply, a pressure

switch, timer and a solenoid valve as shown in the figure below.

Power source is always available for the unit. Solenoid valve is normally in
closed position. When CO2 from pilot cylinder (CO2 release cabinet) reaches
the time delay unit, the pressure acts on the pressure switch. This closes the
pressure switch. But the timer allows power supply to the solenoid only after
60-90 seconds, the timing can be adjusted as required. As soon as the
specified time is reached, solenoid becomes energize and the solenoid valve
will open. This allow passage of CO2 to the pressure operated cylinder valve
of main bottle. Normally a by pass valve is also fitted across this time delay
unit which can be used in case the unit goes defective.

Another type of time delay unit uses an empty bottle fitted just before the
head assembly. This empty bottle fills first before supplying pressurised CO2
to the head assembly. This is more reliable since there is no electrical
components involved. Figure below 000000shows two time delay units, one
for engine room and the other for purifier room.