Apr-2015

Rev. 11

High Pressure Carbon Dioxide

Fire Extinguishing Systems

Design Guideline

Note: This guideline has been prepared with the best information available at the time of publication.
Changes in standards mentioned or technical changes may apply without further notice.

BKR Guideline for CO2 HP Systems [Link]

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3.4 Local Application

Design methods for local application:

 Rate-by-Area  Hazard consists of two-dimensional objects or low level objects associated with
horizontal surfaces (max. height 60 cm)
 Rate-by-Volume  3-dimensional objects
.
Minimum discharge time:
 The minimum effective liquid discharge time for the calculated CO2 quantity shall be 30 seconds.

Hazard location:
 The hazard can be indoors, partly sheltered, or completely out doors
 It is essential that the carbon dioxide discharge shall be such that winds or strong air currents do not
impair the protection.

Hazard extension:
 The hazard shall be so isolated from other hazards or combustibles that fire will not spread outside the
protected area
o minimum recommended distance 5 to 6 meter
 The hazard includes all associated materials or equipment that could extend fire outside or lead fire into
the protected area
 Two dimensional surfaces not more than 0.6 m high.

Other:
 Hazards involving deep layer flammable liquid fires shall have a minimum freeboard of 150 mm in order
to prevent splashing and to retain a surface concentration when carbon dioxide is applied.

3.4.1 Rate-by-Area Method

Coated surfaces vs. liquid surfaces

Drip board =
 A coated surface is defined as a surface designed for
coated surface
drainage so that pools of liquid will not accumulate over
an area greater than 10% of the coated area
 A liquid surface has a deep layer flammable liquid

Dip tank = liquid surface

(minimum freeboard
of 150 mm)

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3.4.1 Rate-by-Area Method (continued)

Nozzle coverage
 The area covered by each nozzle and the CO2 quantity
required by that nozzle will increase as the distance of the
nozzle from the hazard surface increases
 Depending on the height of the nozzle above the protected
area each nozzle has a defined …
o discharge (flow) rate
o coverage area

Area coverage for local application type nozzle (example)

Coated Surface Nozzle Liquid Surface
Area Side of square Height Flow Rate Area Side of square
(m²) (m) (m) (kg/min) (m²) (m)
1.17 1.08 0.6 14.0 0.84 0.91
1.23 1.11 0.68 15.7 0.88 0.94
1.3 1.14 0.76 17.3 0.93 0.96
1.36 1.17 0.84 19.3 0.98 0.99
1.43 1.19 0.91 20.5 1.02 1.01
1.5 1.22 0.99 21.6 1.07 1.03
1.56 1.25 1.07 23.6 1.11 1.05
1.62 1.27 1.14 25.2 1.16 1.08
1.69 1.3 1.22 26.8 1.2 1.09
1.76 1.33 1.3 28.4 1.25 1.12
1.82 1.35 1.37 30.0 1.3 1.14
1.86 1.37 1.45 31.6 1.35 1.16
1.95 1.4 1.52 33.2 1.39 1.18
2.01 1.42 1.6 34.8 1.44 1.2
2.08 1.44 1.67 36.4 1.49 1.22
2.15 1.46 1.75 38.0 1.53 1.23
2.21 1.48 1.83 39.5 1.58 1.26
2.28 1.5 1.9 41.1 1.62 1.27
2.34 1.53 1.98 42.7 1.67 1.29
2.41 1.55 2.06 44.3 1.72 1.31
2.47 1.57 2.13 46.0 1.76 1.33
2.54 1.59 2.21 47.5 1.81 1.34
2.60 1.61 2.29 49.1 1.86 1.36
2.60 1.61 2.36 50.7 1.86 1.36
2.60 1.61 2.44 52.3 1.86 1.36
2.60 1.61 2.51 53.9 1.86 1.36
2.60 1.61 2.59 55.5 1.86 1.36
2.60 1.61 2.67 57.0 1.86 1.36
2.60 1.61 2.74 58.6 1.86 1.36
Note: For UL/FM design refer to the Ansul design manual for nozzle details.

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3.4.1 Rate-by-Area Method (continued)

Example: Dip Tank / Drip Board

 Two dimensional liquid and coated surfaces

 Dimensions
o 4 m x 1 m (dip tank = liquid)
o 3 m x 1 m (drip board = coated)
 The conveyor does not allow the
nozzles to be installed above the
centre of the dip tank and drain
board
 Nozzles to be installed at the side
about 80 cm above the surfaces

Nozzles installed at an angle

Nozzles may be installed at an angle (see drawings below)

 Y = aiming factor x W(idth)
 nozzle height 'X' determines the nozzle flow rate

Discharge Angle Aiming Factor

45°-60° 0.25
60°-75° 0.25-0.375
75°-90° 0.375-0.5
90° (perpendicular) 0.5 (centre)

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3.4.1 Rate-by-Area Method (continued)

Example: Dip Tank / Drip Board

Distance from liquid surface to nozzle (dip tank):

Discharge Angle Aiming Factor

60°-75° 0.25-0.375

Distance from side of dip tank (Y) ~ 0.36 x 900 ~ 325

Resulting height ~ 953 mm
Nozzle Liquid Surface
Height Flow Rate Area Side of square
(m) (kg/min) (m²) (m)
0.91 20.5 1.02 1.01
0.99 21.6 1.07 1.03
1.07 23.6 1.11 1.05

Nozzle quantity dip tank:

linear length linear width

nnozzle  
side  of  square side  of  square
4.0 m 1.0 m
nnozzle  round up ( )  round up ( )  4  1 4
1.03 m 1.03 m
4 nozzles for dip tank

Distance from liquid surface to nozzle (drip board):

Discharge Angle Aiming Factor

60°-75° 0.25-0.375

Distance from side of dip tank (Y) ~ 0.36 x 900 ~ 325

Resulting height ~ 950 mm
Nozzle Coated Surface
Height Flow Rate Area Side of square
(m) (kg/min) (m²) (m)
0.91 20.5 1.43 1.19
0.99 21.6 1.5 1.22
1.07 23.6 1.56 1.25

Nozzle quantity drip board:

linear length linear width

nnozzle  
side  of  square side  of  square

3.0 m 1.0 m
nnozzle  round up ( )  round up ( )  3  1 3
1.22 m 1.22 m
3 nozzles for drip board.

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3.4.1 Rate-by-Area Method (continued)

Example: Dip Tank / Drip Board

Calculated CO2 quantity

 To determine the storage quantity, the calculated CO2 quantity shall be increased by 40% , because only
1)

the liquid portion of the discharge is effective

 Minimum discharge time = 30 seconds

1)
CO2 quantity = (number of nozzles) x (flow rate per nozzle) x 1.4 x (discharge time)

Nozzle
 Dip tank = 4 nozzles
Height Flow Rate
 Drip board = 3 nozzles (m) (kg/min)
 Nozzle flow rate = 21.6 kg/min 0.91 20.5
0.99 21.6
1.07 23.6

1)
CO2 quantity = (7 nozzles) x (21.6 kg/min) x 1.4 x (0.5 minutes) = 106 kg.
3 containers with 45 kg filling required

1)
High pressure CO2 systems only (NFPA 12 § [Link] and BS 5306-4 § 11.3.2)

Suggested system layout

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3.4.2 Rate-by-Volume Method

 Hazard consists of three dimensional objects.

 An actual closed floor must exist

CO2 quantity
 The CO2 quantity shall be based on the volume of an assumed enclosure entirely surrounding the
hazard
 Assumed walls and ceiling shall be at least 0.6 m from the hazard unless actual walls are involved

Assumed enclosure
 no reduction for solid objects
 a minimum dimension of 1.2 m in each direction  minimum volume = 1,2 x 1,2 x 1,2 = 1,8 m³
 If the hazard may be subject to winds or forced drafts, the assumed volume shall be increased to
compensate for losses on the windward sides

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3.4.2 Rate-by-Volume Method (continued)

Flow rates for assumed volume

 16 kg/min/m³ if no walls around

 the flow rate of 16 kg/min/m³ may be

reduced if there are permanent continuous
walls extending at least 0.6 m above the
hazard

 if there are permanent continuous walls

extending at least 0.6 m above the hazard
1. determine the % perimeter closed
2. determine the reduced flow rate

length existing walls

% perimeter closed  100
length (existing  assumedwalls)

Examples for different % perimeter closed:

29% enclosed 69% enclosed

100% enclosed
50% enclosed
only the top open

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3.4.2 Rate-by-Volume Method (continued)

Flow rates for assumed volume

(100 - %perimeter closed)

Flow rate  4   12 [kg/min/m³]
100

Perimeter Flow Rate Perimeter Flow Rate

Closed kg/min/m³ Closed kg/min/m³
0% 16.00 55 % 9.40
5% 15.40 60 % 8.80
10 % 14.80 65 % 8.20
15 % 14.20 70 % 7.60
20 % 13.60 75 % 7.00
25 % 13.00 80 % 6.40
30 % 12.40 85 % 5.80
35 % 11.80 90 % 5.20
40 % 11.20 95 % 4.60
45 % 10.60 100 % 4.00
50 % 10.00

CO2 quantity
1)
QCO2 = assumed volume x flow rate x 1.4 x minimum discharge time
1)
High pressure CO2 systems only (NFPA 12 § [Link] and BS 5306-4 § 11.3.2)

Example 1: no existing walls

 Actual hazard size: 4.8 m x 2.8 m x 2.4 m

 Assumed volume: 6.0 m x 4.0 m x 3.0 m = 72 m³
 % perimeter closed: 0%
 flow rate = 16 kg/min/m³

CO2 quantity
QCO2  72 m³  16 kg/min/m³  1.4 x 0.5 min  807 kg

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3.4.2 Rate-by-Volume Method (continued)

Example 2: one existing walls

 Actual hazard size: 4.8 m x 2.8 m x 2.4 m

 Note: for the assumed volume you have to
consider the actual distance between the
protected object and the existing wall
Assumed volume: 6.0 m x 4.4 m x 3.0 m = 79.2 m³
 % perimeter closed:
6.0 m
% perimeter closed  100  29%
(2  6.0 m  2  4.4 m)

 flow rate:
(100 - 29)
flow rate  4   12 [kg/min/m³]  12.52 kg/min/m³
100

 CO2 quantity

QCO2  79.2 m³  12.52 kg/min/m³  1.4 x 0.5 min  695 kg

Note: If there are permanent continuous walls, you have to consider the actual distance between the protected
object and the existing wall(s) to calculate the assumed volume.
In case of a relatively great actual wall distance it may be worth to compare the design with existing
wall(s) against the design without walls.

assumed volume (m³) x 16 kg/m³/min vs. assumed volume (m³) x … kg/m³/min

no walls existing walls

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3.4.2 Rate-by-Volume Method (continued)

Nozzles
 Nozzles shall be located and directed so as to retain the discharged CO2 in the hazard area
 Nozzles shall be located so as to compensate for any possible effects of air currents, winds or forced
drafts
 Nozzle quantity must be sufficient to discharge the minimum stored CO2 quantity within 30 seconds.

Example 1: no existing walls

 Qstored minimum = 807 kg
 Flow rate = 807 kg / 30 s = 26.9 kg/s (=1614 kg/min)
 Estimated pipe size = 3" (see estimation table)
 10 nozzles suggested  approx. 161 kg/min/nozzle
 estimated nozzle size = 1"
409-545

Suggested nozzle arrangement:

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4. System Design acc. to VdS 2093

The design of a CO2 extinguishing system shall be done by trained and experienced persons only.

Typical design standards being used for CO2 systems are

 NFPA 12
 BS 5306-4
 VdS 2093.

This design section covers the VdS 2093 standard.

4.1 CO2 Design Quantity

Q  KB x (KG x VR  KA x AR)
Q  KB x (0,75 kg/m³ x VR  0,2 kg/m² x AR)
Q  KB x (0,75 kg/m³ x VR  0,2 kg/m² x (A  30 x A0))
KB: concentration factor
KG: minimum basis CO2 quantity (0.75 kg/m³)
VR: hazard volume (m³)
KA: surface constant, reflects the CO2 loss through leakages at the hazard boundary (0.2 kg/m²)
AR: calculational hazard boundary area (m²)
AR: = A + 30 x A0
A: hazard boundary area (m²), sum of the surfaces of all walls, ceiling and floor forming the boundaries of
the enclosure, including any open areas
A0: unclosable openings (m²)

If 0.75 x VR + 0.2 x A > 1.1 x VR the following formula may be used to calculate the CO2 design quantity:
Important: in this equation A (hazard boundary area) shall be used and not AR = A + 30 x A0

Q  KB x (1,1 kg/m³ x VR  0,2 kg/m² x 30 x A0)

Special rules (further details see VdS 2093, § 3.1.2):

 Where several materials are available in the calculation zone, the highest concentration factor K B shall be
applied in the calculation. Where the tables do not specify the KB factor for the fuel or the facility to be
protected, the authority shall be consulted.
 Where electrical switch and distribution rooms are always flooded together with the false floor underneath,
the entire flooding zone shall be classified as the electrical switch and distribution room.
 The KB factor of 2,25 for combustibles which could form deep-seated fires do not need to be applied for the
following listed solid combustibles:
o single paper webs (in printing, foaming machines)
o paper intermediate layers in storage of solids of fire class B
o wooden pallets in class B storage of combustible products with non-combustible packaging (no stacks or
piles of empty pallets).

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Concentration factors KB for class A hazards

Concentration factors KB for special hazards

(continued on next page)

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Concentration factors KB for special hazards (continued)

Concentration factors KB for gases and liquids

(continued on next page)

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Concentration factors KB for gases and liquids (continued)

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4.2 Enclosure Surface of the Calculation Zone

The entire enclosure surface of the calculation zone (A) shall be inserted in the formula as per the following
specification.
For total flooding systems the enclosure surface of the calculation zone is the sum of the surfaces of all walls,
ceilings and floor forming the boundaries of the enclosure, including any opening surfaces. This applies
analogously to the protection of enclosed equipment.
For equipment protection (object protection) of only partly or non-enclosed equipment the non-closeable
openings of the calculation zone shall be supplemented – for determining the enclosure surface – by imaginary
boundary surfaces to fulfil the conditions.
The imaginary boundary surfaces shall be chosen such that only simple geometries ensue, such as cuboids,
cylinders, spherical segments. The number of imaginary boundary surfaces shall be as small as possible.
The calculation zone comprising both effective and imaginary boundary surfaces shall at least comprise the
entire zone to be protected by the CO2 system.
The floor area shall really exist in all cases. If the calculation does not include the closed floor, the authority
shall be consulted.
For the calculation of the CO2 design quantity for container-like equipment, e.g. quench oil tanks or spark
erosion machines, etc., the empty container shall be taken as calculation zone.

4.3 Temperature Adjustments

If a room temperature in the flooding zone of less than -20°C is to be expected, the design quantity shall be
increased by 2% of the calculated design quantity per °C below -20°C.
If the temperature is expected to drop excessively due to a high design quantity of CO 2 in the flooding zone
(e.g. with concentration factor KB=2,25), the increased design quantity required for reaching the extinguishing
gas concentration shall be taken into account in the calculation.

4.4 CO2 Storage Quantity

Storage Quantity = Design Quantity (acc. 4.1.) + Supplement Quantity

System Type Supplement CO2 Quantity

Total Flooding Systems

CO2 HP Systems ≤ 19 container
To balance filling and tapping  QStorage = 1.1 x QDesign
tolerances as well as residual gas in
the distribution pipe work, add 10% /
5% to the design quantity CO2 HP Systems > 19 container
 QStorage = 1.05 x QDesign

Local Application Systems Add 30% to the design quantity,

because only the liquid portion of the CO2 HP Systems ≤ 19 container
CO2 discharge is effective for local
application.
 QStorage = 1.4 x QDesign
To balance filling and tapping CO2 HP Systems > 19 container
tolerances as well as residual gas in
the distribution pipe work, add 10% /  QStorage = 1.35 x QDesign
5% to the design quantity.

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4.5 Discharge Time

Condition Application Discharge Time

0,75 x VR > 0,2 x AR Total Flooding 60 seconds (CO2 high pressure)

0,75 x VR < 0,2 x AR Local Application The system shall discharge at least the design quantity during the
liquid phase within 25 to 30 seconds.
The discharge time comprising gas and liquid phase shall not
exceed 40 seconds.
The gas phase shall be determined based on the most
unfavorable conditions (highest pipework temperature). In the
case of pipework sections leading out of doors the heating caused
by sunlight shall be taken into consideration.

Design Example
Hazard: electric switch room, L=15 m, W=6 m, H=4 m
Unclosable opening = 0.5 m²

V = 15 m x 6 m x 4 m = 360 m³
A = 2 x 15 m x 6 m + (15 m + 6 m + 15 m + 6 m) x 4 m = 348 m²

ceiling + floor walls

AR = A + 30 x A0 = 348 m² + 30 x 0.5 m² = 363 m²

Design quantity: QDesign  1,2 x (0,75 kg/m³ x 360 m³  0,2 kg/m² x 363 m²)  412 kg
Storage quantity: Design quantity QDesign = 412 kg CO2
412 kg / 45 kg/container  10 container  to add 10% of the calculated design quantity
QStorage = 1.1 x 412 kg = 454 kg CO2

5. Pipe Size Estimation

For estimation purpose you may use the following table to determine pipe sizes.
Accurate hydraulic pipe size calculations are to be performed using the CO2 hydraulic flow calculation software.

Maximum flow rate Maximum flow rate

Pipe Size Pipe Size
kg/s kg/minute kg/s kg/minute
½" (DN 15) 1,1 68 1 ½" (DN 40) 9,1 545
¾" (DN 20) 2,3 136 2" (DN 50) 15,2 909
1" (DN 25) 3,8 227 2 ½" (DN65) 22,7 1363
1 ¼" (DN 32) 6,8 409 3" (DN 80) 37,9 2272

Reference: TSP CO2 Design Manual 14A-02, Issue 04 (2008/05)

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6. Discharge Nozzles (Total Flooding)

There is no exact science when it comes to placing discharge nozzles in a hazard.

Some of the rules that should be followed for total flooding systems are:
 Position the nozzles uniformly on the ceiling of the enclosure
 320 ft² (30 m²) coverage per nozzle
 20 ft. (6 m) maximum spacing between nozzles
 Not more than 10 ft. (3 m) from a wall or major obstruction
 16 ft. (5 m) max. room height per nozzle
 Try not to locate the nozzle near an unclosable opening – unless using for screening
 Make certain nothing interferes with the discharge pattern of the nozzle
 Make certain the nozzle is not located so that it causes unduly splash of flammable liquids or creates dust
clouds that might extend the fire, create an explosion, or otherwise adversely affect the contents of the
enclosure.

Furthermore all details given in the applicable design manuals shall be considered.

7. Pressure Venting

The designer of a fire suppression system should be aware that the discharge of any gaseous extinguishing
agent into an enclosure will raise the pressure within that enclosure, which could affect the structural integrity of
the enclosure.
The protected enclosure will require an overpressure relief device.

The following calculation is based on …

Fire Industry Association (FIA) UK: FIA Guidance on Pressure Venting Issue 2 March 2012

To estimate the free venting area, use the following formula:

A Total venting area (m²)

(total vent area is defined as the sum of the free vent area and the
M S
A
natural leakage area)

P  SH
M Mass flow of extinguishant (kg/s)
S Specific vapour volume of extinguishant (m³/kg)
1)
P max. allowable pressure increase (Pa)
SH specific volume of the homogeneous air/extinguishant mixture (m³/kg)
1)
If there is no information available, we recommend using a maximum
of 250 Pa allowable pressure increase for the hazard.

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Mass flow of extinguishant (kg/s):

CO2 System
Qagent Stored agent quantity (kg)
Qagent
M td Discharge time (s)
td

Specific vapour volume (m³/kg):

Extinguishant S CO2 = 0.505 m³/kg @ 0°C

= 0.533 m³/kg @ 15°C
= 0.546 m³/kg @ 21°C
Air S Air = 0.77382 + 0.002833 x T T Temperature (°C)

Specific volume of the homogeneous air/extinguishant mixture (m³/kg)

C  S  100  C 
SH     SAir C Design concentration (%)
100  100 

Example: 6 CO2 containers 67 litre / 45 kg to be discharged.

Maximum overpressure allowed = 200 Pa
Design concentration = 45%
Design temperature = 15°C
Discharge time = 60 s

(Calculation done with "Pressure Vent Area Calculation BKR [Link]")

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