CO2 Fire Extinguishers

What are CO2 fire extinguishers used for?

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are generally used for putting out electrical fires and are often paired with Foam Extinguishers to create a full-service extinguisher location. The fires that CO2 extinguishers are used for most often involve electrical equipment such as generators or computers and are informally recognised as Class E fires. However, CO2 extinguishers are also used effectively for fires involving flammable liquids such as paint, diesel or petrol, otherwise known as Class B fires.

Due to safety concerns, they cannot be used in confined spaces or for high volume liquid flammables, specifically Class F fires, those involving grease and oils. For example, if a chip pan catches fire and a CO2 extinguisher was used in an attempt to control the flame, the force of the gas would blast the flames into the surrounding space. When used in a confined space, if the space is small enough, there is also the risk of asphyxiation. This is because the CO2 replaces the oxygen around the fire and can also replace the oxygen that the individual using the extinguisher needs to breathe.

How do CO2 fire extinguishers work?

To use the extinguisher, the safety pin must be removed in order to break the extinguisher’s anti-tamper seal. Then, standing a good distance away from the fire, the user should aim the horn of the extinguisher at the fire’s base and direct the extinguisher’s gust of gas back and forth. For an electrical fire, if it is safe to do so, it is important to turn off the electrical appliance or equipment which is on fire. For liquid fires, it is important to be cautious and not splash the flaming liquid onto any other surfaces.

To easily distinguish between types of fire extinguishers, each different suppressant is displayed with a different colour. CO2 fire extinguisher colour will be a black on a band reading “CO2" over it.

To ensure that your extinguishers are used and stored properly we supply 2 Part Extinguisher Stand and Signs Kits, these incorporate accurate signage and safety seals that stop extinguishers being accidentally activated. For a convenient way to store extinguishers we supply not only individual extinguisher stands and brackets but also Bundle Kits that give you everything needed to install and store extinguishers safely in the workplace. See our full range of Fire Extinguisher Storage & Accessories for all of your extinguisher display and storage needs.

Where are CO2 fire extinguisher used?

Due to the specialised nature of CO2 fire extinguishers, there are a number of environments which should always have CO2 extinguishers on hand. Environments with a high number of electrical appliances, equipment, or wires should have access to CO2 extinguishers. Stores, hospitals, offices, and schools are all environments with electrical equipment and wires that could potentially start fires. CO2 fire extinguisher sizes vary and are usually available in 2kg and 5kg weights, it is best to consider where the extinguisher is to be used before deciding on the size needed for your location. A combination of foam and CO2 fire extinguishers is especially useful for these environments because together they cover the large majority of fires.

Do I Need a CO2 Fire Extinguisher?

This will depend on the types of fire hazards you have on your premises, but the answer is very likely to be yes. As already mentioned, CO2 fire extinguishers are an excellent electrical fire extinguisher, and almost all business premises will have some electrical items and therefore the potential for an electrical fire.

While CO2 fire extinguishers are used primarily as a fire extinguisher for electrical fires, they can also be used for fires caused by flammable liquids. Therefore, a CO2 extinguisher is a good fire extinguisher for petrol and diesel fires. For this reason, a CO2 fire extinguisher can be a useful fire extinguisher for petrol station settings or for other work premises where cars, vehicles and small petrol fuelled appliances are stored or worked on.

Remember that you may need to have CO2 fire extinguishers on your premises, alongside powder or foam fire extinguishers, depending on the potential fire hazards present. It is vital to carry out a proper risk assessment to ascertain which types of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment you need. When purchasing a CO2 fire extinguisher, remember that it is also sometimes known as a Class B fire extinguisher, or a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher. The standard CO2 fire extinguisher colour is black, meaning that they will always be marked with a black band or label.

Will Staff Know How to Use a CO2 Fire Extinguisher?

As discussed above, CO2 Fire Extinguishers are not hard to operate, but it is important to remember that operating any kind of fire extinguisher is not something that most people have to do often, and it is common for people to panic when a fire breaks out. Therefore, it is essential that staff are trained in the use of fire equipment at work, and we recommend that such training is ongoing so that staff are regularly reminded of the basics of using all fire safety equipment, and what to do in the event of a fire, in general. Appropriate signage can also be useful in reminding staff of the correct use of various types of fire safety equipment.

What Are the Best CO2 Fire Extinguishers for My Business?

Depending on your circumstances, there are various different CO2 fire extinguishers that your business may need. Here are a few of our popular CO2 fire extinguishers and accessories:

• Seton CO2 Fire Extinguishers – These durable, reliable but affordable CO2 fire extinguishers are supplied fully charged and with brackets for easy mounting. This 2kg model is fitted with a ‘frost-free horn’ and is the perfect small fire extinguisher for electric fires.


• Aluminium CO2 Fire Extinguisher and Sign Kit – This convenient kit includes a polished aluminium CO2 Fire Extinguisher, complete with signage to indicate its use and position.


• Reception Area Fire Safety Bundle Kit – These fire safety kits include both a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher and a water fire extinguisher, along with signage, a fire document cabinet, and a logbook to allow you to easily keep track of inspections and maintenance. Supplied signage shows important information and indicates when equipment is missing from the kit.

Here at Seton, we have a wide range of CO2 fire extinguishers, signage, accessories and other fire safety equipment. If you would like to discuss your fire safety needs and requirements, feel free to call us and ask our friendly experts for advice.