My Basket (0)

CO2 Fire Extinguishers

UK Approved CO2 Fire Extinguisher with Next Day Delivery

CO2 fire extinguishers use liquid carbon dioxide to smother flames quickly and effectively. When the extinguisher’s handle is squeezed, the liquid CO2 is compressed and, under immense pressure, it is turned into a gas which is then sprayed on the flames. As a result of the pressure created, the CO2 gas exits the extinguisher at a very high speed.

The oxygen in the area surrounding the flames is instantly replaced with carbon dioxide so the fire can no longer continue to feed itself with oxygen. Through this process, CO2 extinguishers do not cool the fire down and, as a result, they are not effective for fires involving wood, paper or cooking oils.

Where do you want to use your extinguisher?

11 Item(s)

Filter By Sort By

Grid

What are Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers used for?


CO2 fire extinguishers are generally used for putting out electrical fires and are often paired with Foam Extinguishers to create a full-service extinguisher location. They are mostly used for electrical equipment, such as generators or computers and are informally recognised as Class E fires. However, they 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, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers 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 fire extinguisher is 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. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are not suitable for class A fires; involving ordinary combustibles.

How do CO2 fire extinguishers work?

To use the fire 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. Colour for fire extinguishers is vital, as they help to easily distinguish between types of fire extinguishers. Each different suppressant is displayed with a different colour, such as the colour of the CO2 fire extinguisher should be 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 fire extinguishers from being accidentally activated. For a convenient way to store fire extinguishers, we supply not only individual CO2 fire extinguisher stands and brackets but also Bundle Kits that give you everything needed to install and store CO2 fire extinguishers safely in the workplace. See our full range of Fire Extinguisher Storage & Accessories for all of your extinguisher display and storage needs.

What are the maintenance requirements for Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers?

A fire extinguisher should be visually and thoroughly inspected monthly. The fire extinguisher should also undergo an annual inspection by a certified professional. The pressure gauges should also be checked regularly.

Can I refill the Carbon Dioxide fire extinguisher after use?

Yes, you may need to refill the fire extinguisher many times, therefore, after any use, it's vital to have the fire extinguisher inspected and refilled by a qualified professional.

Where are CO2 fire extinguishers used?

Due to the specialised nature of CO2 fire extinguishers, there are a number of environments which should always have fire extinguishers on hand. Environments with a high number of electrical appliances, equipment, or wires should have access to carbon dioxide fire extinguishers. Stores, hospitals, offices, and schools are all environments with electrical equipment and wires that could potentially start fires. The 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.

Can CO2 fire extinguishers be used outdoors?

Yes, although, the effectiveness of the fire extinguisher may vary depending on the weather, such as, in a windy condition. It is, therefore, important to consider the environment before using the fire extinguisher.

Do I Need Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers?

This will depend on the types of fire hazards you have on your premises, but the answer is very likely to be yes. While carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are used primarily as a fire extinguisher for electrical fires, they can also be used for fires caused by flammable liquids. Therefore, they are also a good fire extinguisher for petrol and diesel fires. For this reason, CO2 fire extinguishers 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 a CO2 fire extinguisher 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. Labelling is very important, as the colour of the standard CO2 fire extinguisher is black, it will always be marked with a black band or label.

Will Staff Know How to Use The 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 Carbon Dioxide 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 choices:

  • Seton Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher – 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 Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher and Sign Kit – This convenient kit includes 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 CO2 fire extinguishers 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 fire extinguishers, signage, accessories and other fire safety equipment. Different types of fires will require different types of fire extinguishers, in order to examine which is best and to discuss your fire safety needs and requirements, feel free to call us and ask our friendly experts for advice.