A CO₂ fire suppression system is a fixed fire protection system designed to extinguish fires by rapidly reducing the oxygen concentration within a protected area. It works by discharging carbon dioxide gas, which displaces oxygen and interrupts the chemical reaction of combustion, effectively suppressing the fire without leaving residue. CO₂ systems are particularly effective for electrical fires, flammable liquid fires, and in areas containing sensitive equipment such as data centers, engine rooms, and industrial machinery spaces. The system typically consists of CO₂ storage cylinders, discharge piping, nozzles, detection and control equipment, and safety alarms. Because CO₂ can be hazardous to occupants by causing oxygen deficiency, these systems are usually installed in unoccupied or normally unoccupied areas and are equipped with warning devices, time delays, and manual abort features to ensure personnel safety.
