How does carbon dioxide extingush a fire?

Answer 1

Fire consists of Heat and the stuff that burns (usually oxygen from air and a combustible material). Removing any component extinguishes the fire. Carbon Dioxide CO2 is not flammable and pushes air (with it's highly reactive oxygen content) away, it is highly compressible and when released is very cold (aiding in reducing the heat. CO2 is not toxic (like the halons used in some fire fighting systems).

Answer 2

Fires need oxygen, and the CO2 (carbon dioxide) smothers the fire by keeping oxygen away.

CO2 is only used for certain types of fire, mostly wood, paper, cloth, and electrical fires. The CO2 displaces the oxygen. You spray a fire at its base with an extinguisher. Fires draw oxygen from its base by way of draft. The CO2 from the extinguisher is picked up by the fire and does not support combustion.

For very large fires, CO2 is not as effective because of the rapid flow of air into the fire, which is caused by higher temperatures. Water or foam is better at cooling the fire and making the flammable materials harder to burn.

Answer 3

Carbon Dioxide (co2) used in fire extinguishes, prevents the flames from burning by depriving the flames of oxygen. Whilst good on small fires, electrical and oil fires (where water is to be avoided), the Co2 does not cool the flame enough to prevent reignition once the extinguisher is turned off.

Answer 4

Fire needs oxygen to react. Carbon dioxide suffocates it

Answer 5

Fires need 3 things to burn; oxygen, heat and fuel. By using carbon dioxide you are eliminating the oxygen corner of the triangle, so the fire goes out.

Answer 6

A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher smothers a fire by depriving it of oxygen.

Answer 7

Fire requires oxygen for its survival and it cannot survive in carbondioxide media.

Answer 8

It blocks oxygen in the air from reaching the fuel.