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Aria newsflash – Co2 systems
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Gas-based extinguishing processes become attractive when water cannot be used (e.g. computer equipment, audio/video archives, ship engine rooms), yet the associated risks must not be underestimated, as witnessed by the example of CO2 systems.
Two accidents that occurred during August 2008 in Germany (a country where extinguishing systems based on total CO2 flooding are quite widespread), one of which (as detailed below) necessitated introducing extraordinary measures, recall the risks and the importance of both sufficient information and effective system maintenance. According to the FFMI (national fire prevention equipment federation), France contains some 2,000 CO2 installations (all types combined), yet only few operate by means of total flooding, given that most of these have been replaced by other inert gases.