BSE532 Fire Engineering Systems

MSc Lecture 4 Additional:

Carbon Dioxide Systems
Calculation
(NFPA12:2018)

Dr. Gigi C.H. LUI

Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, China
MScFES-04A-CO2 calculation (NFPA12).ppt 1
Example
Based on NFPA12 Standard on
Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems (2018)

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 Volume of space : 54 m3
 Type of combustible : Gasoline
 Ventilation openings
 Air outlet near ceiling: 0.5 m2
 Air inlet centered at 2.1 m below ceiling: 0.5 m2
 From Table 5.3.2.2., the minimum CO2 design
concentration can be found.

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Minimum design CO2
concentration of
gasoline is 34%

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From NFPA12:2018

Range for 54 m3 Volume Factor Flooding Factor

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 Minimum design CO2 concentration: 34%
 Volume factor = 1/ Flooding factor
 Flooding factor : 0.9 kg/m3
 Basic quantity of CO2 : 54 x 0.9 = 48.6 kg
Space volume

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 Material conversion factor can be found from
FIGURE 5.3.4.

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 Because the design concentration is not over 34%,
no conversion is needed.

 Based on NFPA12:2018, Session 5.3.5, Special

conditions – Additional quantities of CO2 shall be
provided to compensate for any special condition
that could adversely affect the extinguishing
efficiency.

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 CO2 will be lost through the bottom opening while air
enters through the top opening.

 From Figure E.1(b), the loss rate will be 85 kg/ min-m2

for a concentration of 34% at 2.1 m.

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17.5 x 4.89 =
85.58

2.1 / 0.305 = 6.89

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 From Session 5.3.5.1 Openings that cannot be closed –
any openings that cannot be closed at the time of
extinguishment shall be compensated for by the
addition of a quantity of CO2 equal to the anticipated
loss at the design concentration during a 1-minute
period.
 Additional CO2 for openings = 85 x 0.5 = 42.5 kg
 Total CO2 required = 48.6 + 42.5 = 91.1 kg

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Reference: NFPA12 Standard on
Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems (2018)

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Table 5.3.2.2. for the
minimum CO2
design concentration
for extinguishment

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