CARBON DIOXIDE AS AN EXTINGUISHING AGENTThe "Kidde" Fire Extinguishing System uses carbon dioxide gas as the extinguishing agent. Carbon dioxide is astandard commercial product, being most commonly used for carbonating beverages, and is available in most of the largecities and seaports throughout the world.Carbon dioxide is normally colorless except that, when discharging, it resembles a cloud of steam. When inhaledin small amounts, it produces a tingle in the nostrils the same as experienced when drinking soda water. It is a non-conductor of electricity, is non-corrosive, and non-injurious to all substances, and although heavier than air, it does notcontain oxygen in any form available for supporting combustion or for sustaining human life in breathing."Fast" fires such as engine room, oil, or paint fires, are quickly extinguished by flooding the area with carbondioxide gas. This reduces the oxygen content and creates an inert atmosphere which smothers the fire. "Slow" or "Deep-seared" fires, such as fires in paper-clothing or similar substances, are extinguished by prolonged action of a highconcentration of carbon dioxide. In addition to its smothering action, carbon dioxide is aided in extinguishing fire by itscooling effect.Since a person will have difficulty in breathing and may suffocate in an atmosphere of carbon dioxide, cautionmust be taken before entering any space filled with this odorless gas. Thoroughly ventilate the space into which the gashas been discharged to make certain that all portions contain only fresh air.If it be necessary for a person to enter a space before it is thoroughly ventilated, he may do so by using a fresh airmask or other type of self-contained breathing apparatus. DO NOT USE a filter type of mask or a canister gas mask. Noone should enter such & space without another person as observer and standby outside the space.Should a person be overcome by carbon dioxide, it is essential that he be immediately rescued from the spacecontaining the gas. Call a physician. To revive a person so overcome, give him plenty of fresh air and apply artificialrespiration (as in the case of drowning) using oxygen, but do not use carbon dioxide as a stimulant.An ammonia inhalant may be used and the person should be kept warm (by the application of friction and heat tothe extremities).The carbon dioxide is stored in liquid form in steel cylinders carefully tested for strength under governmentalsupervision. The pressure within the cylinder depends on the temperature, being 504 pounds per square inch at 32degrees F. and 850 pounds per square inch at 70 degrees F., although the carbon dioxide content is never determined byusing a pressure gauge. The gas content may be determined only by the weighing of the cylinder.Each cylinder is provided with a safety relief disc which will release the gas before the pressure exceeds thecylinder test pressure. Cylinders should be stored in a cool place whenever possible. The maximum safe storagetemperature for all cylinders is 130 degrees F. Specially charged cylinders can be supplied for higher storagetemperature.
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