What are the requirements of CO2 Room

In CO2 flooding system, carbon dioxide bottles are placed in a separate room called
CO2 room. The requirements for location, accessibility, use and ventilation of CO2
storage spaces as per IMO are:

 Spaces for storage of cylinders or tanks for extinguishing gas should not be used for
other purposes.
 These spaces should not be located in front of the forward collision bulkhead.
 Access to these spaces should be possible from the open deck.
 Spaces situated below the deck should be directly accessible by a stairway or ladder
from the open deck.
 The space should be located no more than one deck below the open deck.
 Spaces where entrance from the open deck is not provided or which are located
below deck are to be fitted with mechanical ventilation.
 The exhaust duct (suction) should be lead to the bottom of the space.
 Such spaces should be ventilated with at least 6 air changes per hour.

Requirements of CO2 Flooding System

1. Discharge requirement is, at least 50% of CO2 discharge to be carried out in 1

minute and at least 85% discharge in 2 minutes.
2. Capacity of CO2 in the system to be, 1.) 30% of the gross volume of the largest
protected cargo space, 2.) 40% of the gross volume of machinery space excluding
engine casings, 2.) 35% of the gross volume of machinery space including engine
casings for vessels GT < 20000. Total amount of CO2 cylinders depends on the
highest gross volume out of above 1,2,3 in a particular ship.
3. Safety procedures must be there against unauthorized use of the system.
4. Machinery space to be fitted with audio-visual alarm and ventilation blower trip.
5. Alarm must trigger well before operation of CO2 flooding system.
6. Permanent piping arrangements should be made.
7. Manifold, distribution piping to be pressure tested. See Pressure Testing of CO2
Flooding System below.
8. Diameter of associated pipe lines in the system should not be less than 20 mm.
9. Copper and flexible pipes are allowed between CO2 cylinder and common manifold.
10. Distribution pipes to cargo spaces should not pass through engine room.
11. All stop valves to be checked every month to ensure their working and position.
12. The CO2 flooding system installation to be checked monthly for any leakages.
13. All control valves to be tested annually.

Calculation of CO2 Required

 Quantity of free carbon dioxide calculation at 0.56 m3/ kg

 Mixing ratio of CO2 based on the volume of protected spaces to be as follows:

a) Gross volume of engine room space including casing = 35%

a) Gross volume of engine room space excluding casing = 40%

a) Gross volume of purifier room space = 40%

  Quantity of CO2 in kg = (GROSS VOLUME x MIXING RATIO) / 0.56

GROSS QUANTITY QUANTITY

NAME OF
MOLUME OF CO2 OF 45 KG
NO. SPACE
(M3) (KG) CYLINDER

ENG
ROOM
SPACE 7324 4577.5 102
1
INCL.
CASING

ENG
ROOM
2 SPACE 6856 4897.14
109
EXCL.
CASING

PURIFIER
3 ROOM 132 94.2
3
SPACE

Therefore required quantity of 45 kg CO2 cylinder for engine room = 109

Note: The air reservoir in engine room space is not included in the above calculation
since the outlet of safety valve shall be led to atmosphere outside engine room.

Pressure Testing of CO2 Flooding System

Pipe Area Material Test

Section

Low Galvanized
Branch 7 Bar Air
Seamless
Pipe to Blowing
Pressure Manganese
Nozzles Test
Steel
Section
 Master
Medium Galvanized 80 Bar
Valve to
Seamless
Main
Pressure Manganese Pressure
Pipe
Steel
Section Branches Test

CO2 Galvanized 190 Bar

High
Cylinder Seamless
Pressure
to Master Manganese Pressure
Section
Valve Steel
Test

Pilot 58 Bar
Control Copper
Control
Lines Tube Pressure
Line
Test

Maintenance of CO2 Flooding System

Fixed carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems should be kept in good working order
and readily available for immediate use. Maintenance and inspections should be carried
out in accordance with the ship’s maintenance plan having due regard to ensuring the
reliability of the system. The on board maintenance plan should be included in the ship’s
safety management system and should be based on the system manufacturer’s
recommendations.

Monthly

 Alarms, Machinery trips, Door alarm, Quick closing valves, Flaps, Skylights,
Ventilation fan trips to be tested.

Yearly

 General inspection of the installation, pipe lines to be checked.

2 Yearly

 1+
 Verify CO2 contents by mechanical advantage lever, ultrasonic liquid level
measurement or radioactive liquid level measurement. Equipment for measuring
CO2 content must be available on board ships. A maximum reduction of 5% in CO2
content may be allowed provided total CO2 quantity on board is not less than the
required amount.
 Blow through the system with 6-7 bar air with plastic air bags at the nozzle ends.
5 Yearly

 1+2+
 The servo cylinders and any remote controlled stop valves to be tested by opening
one pilot cylinder. The main CO2 bottles must be uncoupled for this purpose.
 Spring loaded relief valves to be checked and pressure tested at 180 bar.
 Checking of HP alarms which operate with gas pressure.
 Section of CO2 which can be shut off must be tested with air at 25 bar.

10 Yearly

 1+2+5+
 CO2 bottles to be inspected internally. Siphon tube or dip tube to be checked.
Cylinders to be pressure tested at 250 bar. If permanent change in volume is
observed, those cylinders to be discarded. After 20 years of installation of CO2
flooding system, these tests to be carried out every 5 years thereafter.

15 yearly and 5 year thereafter

 1+5+
 Pressure test HP pipes, stop valves to engine room, pump room, purifier room,etc. at
190 bar (hydraulic), medium pressure pipes at 80 bar (hydraulic) and low pressure
pipes at 7 bar air.
 After hydraulic pressure testing, lines to be blown through by dry air.