scope:

This part of BS 5306 specifies requirements and gives recommendations for the provision of carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems in buildings or industrial plant. These systems are designed to convey carbon dioxide from a central source on the premises as and when required for the extinction of fire or the protection of particular plant or parts of the premises against possible fire risk.

This part of BS 5306 does not apply to carbon dioxide portable fire extinguishers or to wheeled appliances for conveying carbon dioxide in containers.

NOTE 1 Requirements and recommendations for carbon dioxide portable fire extinguishers (together with portable fire extinguishers of other types) are given in BS EN 3-1 to -5 and BS 5306-3.

This standard gives requirements and characteristic data for carbon dioxide, the types of fires for which it is a recommended extinguishing medium, and requirements and recommendations for three established types of piped system embodying different concepts and employing different methods for the application of carbon dioxide, i.e.:

a) the total flooding system;

b) the local application system; and

c) the manual hose reel system.

Two methods of operation, i.e. manual and automatic, are also specified. Requirements and recommendations are given on the selection of a system, on operational methods, and on the design, maintenance and efficient operation of installations. Reference is also made to the part that carbon dioxide systems plays in general schemes of fire protection of premises, having regard to safety as well as efficiency.

NOTE 2 Unless otherwise stated in the text all pressures are in bar gauge.

1 bar = 10⁵ N/m² = 100 kPa.