Does My Business Need a CO2 Extinguisher?

During an emergency, fire extinguishers can play a crucial role in dousing a blaze before it burns out of control; that’s why they are legally required in all business premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

You may assume that your property is compliant if you have a Class A extinguisher present, but this isn’t strictly true; most commercial buildings in the UK must also possess a CO2 extinguisher.

But what exactly is a CO2 extinguisher?

And why does your business need one?

The team at ASCO is here to answer all your questions with this comprehensive guide.

What is a CO2 extinguisher?

A CO2  fire extinguisher is specifically designed for use on electrical fires, however, it is also suitable for Class B fires involving flammable liquids, too.

These extinguishers store liquid carbon dioxide under extreme pressure, which then is expelled in gas form. The CO2  displaces the oxygen, removing the oxygen element from the fire triangle.

Whilst effective at extinguishing flames, this rapidly reduces the amount of breathable air, so you should never use a CO2 extinguisher in a confined space due to the risk of asphyxiation.

The CO2  gas discharged is non-conductive, which means it won’t result in electrocution when used on live electrical equipment.

CO2 extinguishers are often found in server rooms, offices and other locations which house vast amounts of electrical equipment.

When the CO2 gas is expelled, it leaves no residue behind so that it won’t damage expensive equipment like other extinguishants would, such as water, foam and powder.

What does a CO2 extinguisher look like?

If you take a cursory glance at the fire extinguishers in your building, you may notice that they all look slightly different.

Whilst all fire extinguishers have a red cylindrical body, each extinguisher will have a coloured label which denotes the class of fire it can be used on. In the case of CO2 extinguishers, this label is black.

CO2 extinguishers are also easily identifiable by their lack of pressure gauge.

This is because the carbon dioxide is stored as a liquid, so it maintains a constant pressure level.

Unlike other extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers are equipped with a hard horn, which allows the user to precisely direct the CO2 stream towards the base of the fire.

Does my business need a CO2 extinguisher?

UK fire safety regulations state that all business premises which have electrical equipment present must be fitted with a 2kg CO2 extinguisher.

Should the electrical equipment be rated at 415V or more, then the property must be equipped with a 5kg CO2 extinguisher to tackle this heightened risk. A fire risk assessment will identify just how many CO2 extinguishers your business requires and where they should be located. 

However, simply supplying the necessary extinguishers is not enough; they must also be properly maintained. According to BS 5036-3, all fire extinguishers must undergo a ‘basic service’ at least once a year.

This must be carried out by a trained and accredited fire safety technician, like the experts at ASCO, and includes a full inspection of all extinguisher components. 

Furthermore, an extended service — often referred to as an overhaul — should be performed on all CO2 extinguishers every 10 years. In addition to all the usual checks, the primary valve will be replaced and a hydrostatic pressure test will be carried out to check for any cracks or stretches.

This comprehensive examination will ensure that your CO2 extinguisher is in optimal condition and can withstand its pressure rating.

Here at ASCO, we supply, install and maintain CO2 extinguishers for businesses throughout Edinburgh, Duns, Forfar, Aberdeen, Glasgow, West Lothian and beyond.

Our BAFE-accredited professionals have a wealth of experience and will ensure your property fully complies with all UK regulations — simply get in touch with us today.