Carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems may be utilized for Class A, B, and C fires (North American definition).

They are particularly useful for extinguishing fires in specific hazard areas or e uipment! a) "here an inert, electrically non#conducti$e medium is desirable. b) %n high $alue occupancies particularly susceptible to fire, smo&e and 'ater damage. c) "here clean up another medium 'ould present a problem. Carbon dioxide 'ill not extinguish fires in$ol$ing the follo'ing materials! a) Chemical containing their o'n oxygen supply such as cellulose nitrate. b) (eacti$e metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, uranium and plutonium. c) )etal hydrides. "hile carbon dioxide 'ill not extinguish these fires, it 'ill not react dangerously 'ith these materials or increase their burning rate. Carbon dioxide if used in this type of situation in a total flooding system 'ill pro$ide protection for ad*acent combustibles or can be successfully used if the reacti$e metals or hydrides are first co$ered by another material. The follo'ing are examples of this latter condition!