Carbon Dioxide as Fire Extinguishing Media for Fire Protection -Specification

IS 15222: Scope Summary

• Purpose: Specifies minimum requirements for fire extinguishing media to ensure effective fire fighting.
• Applicability: Covers common fire extinguishing agents needing standardization for fire safety.
• Compliance: Test or analysis results must be rounded per IS 2:1960 rules, maintaining significant figures as specified.
• Referenced Standards: Uses other Indian Standards for detailed provisions; users should verify the latest editions.

Key Points for Scope:

This clause sets the foundation for specifying fire extinguishing media quality, ensuring reliability in fire safety applications.

flowchart LR
    A[Fire Extinguishing Media] --> B[Minimum Capability]
    B --> C[Testing & Analysis]
    C --> D[Rounding per IS 2:1960]
    A --> E[Referenced IS Standards]
    E --> F[Latest Editions Recommended]

IS 15222: Definitions & General Specifications Summary

• Purpose: Specifies minimum fire extinguishing capability for common fire extinguishing media.
• Scope: Applies to media needing specification for firefighting use.
• Referenced Standards: This standard incorporates other IS codes; users should verify the latest editions.
• Rounding Off: Final test or analysis values must be rounded per IS 2:1960:
  • Retain the same number of significant figures as the specified value.

Key Notes:

No specific formulas or tables are provided under "Definitions" in IS 15222; it mainly sets the framework for applying the standard and interpreting results.

flowchart LR
    A[Fire Extinguishing Media] --> B[Minimum Capability Specified]
    B --> C[Test/Analysis]
    C --> D[Rounded per IS 2:1960]
    D --> E[Compliance Decision]

IS 15222: Key Requirements and Specifications

1. Rounding Off Values

• Follow IS 2:1960 for rounding numerical values.
• Retain the same number of significant digits as specified in the standard.

2. Safety Warning (Clause 5.1)

• Equipment handling CO₂ must be designed to withstand or be protected from high pressures involved.

3. Table 1: CO₂ Quality Requirements (Clause 4)

• Note: CO₂ from dry ice conversion must be processed to meet these specs.

4. Purpose

• Ensures CO₂ used as a fire extinguishing medium has minimum effective fire suppression capability.

flowchart LR
    A[CO₂ Source] --> B[Purity Check ≥ 99.5%]
    B --> C{Water Content ≤ 0.015%?}
    C -->|Yes| D{Oil Content ≤ 5 ppm?}
    C -->|No| E[Reject or Process]
    D -->|Yes| F{Sulphur ≤ 5 ppm?}
    D -->|No| E
    F -->|Yes| G[Approved for Fire Extinguishing]
    F -->|No| E

This summarizes the essential requirements and safety considerations from IS 15222.

IS 15222: Test Methods - Key Points

• Rounding Off (IS 2:1960)
  Final test results must be rounded to the same number of significant figures as the specified value, ensuring consistency in reporting.

• Test Sieves (Clause 3.10)
  Specifies the use of standard test sieves for particle size analysis, crucial for material grading.

• Annexes A to C - Test Methods for Contents:

  • Annex A: Water content determination
  • Annex B: Oil content determination
  • Annex C: Total sulphur compounds determination

• Annexes D to G - Safety & Usage Recommendations:
  Detailed guidance on handling carbon dioxide safely in testing environments.

Typical Test Method Formula (Example: Water Content by Karl Fischer Titration)

[ \text{Water Content (%)} = \frac{\text{Volume of titrant (mL)} \times \text{Normality} \times 9}{\text{Sample weight (mg)}} ]

Summary Table: Test Parameters

flowchart LR
    A[Test Sample] --> B[Sieving (Clause 3.10)]
    B --> C[Water Content (Annex A)]
    B --> D[Oil Content (Annex B)]
    B --> E[Total Sulphur (Annex C)]
    C --> F[Result (Rounded per IS 2:1960)]
    D --> F
    E --> F

For detailed procedures, refer to the respective annexes in IS 15222.

IS 15222 - Sampling Key Points

Sampling Methods (Clause 8.3.1)

• Direct Sampling: Sample passed immediately through an evaporator to the analyzer.
• Sampling in Cylinders: Sample transferred into cylinders for laboratory analysis.
• Other Methods: Allowed if proven equally representative (see Annexes A-C).

Sampling in Cylinders (Clause 8.3.3)

• Use clean, suitable cylinders.
• Ensure no contamination or loss of sample.
• Cylinders must be properly sealed and labeled.

Direct Sampling Procedure (Clause 8.3.2)

• Connect sampling valve to evaporator and analytical apparatus.
• Use a T-piece with a Drechsel bottle containing mercury and water to trap contaminants.
• Flush all connections with CO₂ before sampling.

Rounding Off (General Clause)

• Final test values must be rounded per IS 2:1960 rules.
• Retain significant figures equal to those specified in the standard.

Summary Table for Sampling Methods

flowchart LR
    A[Sampling Valve] --> B[Evaporator]
    B --> C[T-piece with Drechsel Bottle]
    C --> D[Analytical Apparatus]
    E[Sample Cylinder] --> F[Laboratory Analysis]

This ensures representative and contamination-free sampling for CO₂ analysis as per IS 15222.

IS 15222: Packaging and Marking Key Points

Marking Requirements (Clause 7.1)

Each CO₂ container must be legibly and indelibly marked on the outside with:

• Manufacturer's name or trade-mark
• Month and year of manufacture
• The words "Carbon Dioxide"
• Source, year of manufacture of the cylinder, and its test pressure
• Empty mass of the cylinder
• Filled mass of the cylinder

Purity and Quality Requirements (Table 1, Clause 4)

Additional Notes

• Equipment must be designed to withstand or be protected from CO₂ pressures (Clause 5.1).
• Numerical values must be rounded off per IS 2:1960 rules.
• CO₂ from dry ice conversion usually requires processing to meet purity specs.

flowchart TD
    A[CO₂ Cylinder] --> B[Marking on Container]
    B --> C[Manufacturer's Name]
    B --> D[Manufacture Date]
    B --> E["Carbon Dioxide" Label]
    B --> F[Cylinder Source & Test Pressure]
    B --> G[Empty Mass]
    B --> H[Filled Mass]

This ensures traceability, safety, and compliance with IS 15222 packaging and marking requirements.

IS 15222 - Safety Precautions for Carbon Dioxide Handling

Key Safety Warning (Clause 5.1)

• Equipment must be designed to withstand or be protected from the high pressures of carbon dioxide.

Table 1: Carbon Dioxide Quality Requirements (Clause 4)

Note: CO₂ from dry ice conversion must be processed to meet these purity and contamination limits.

Additional Specifications:

• Annexes A-C: Methods to determine water, oil, and sulphur contents.
• Annexes D-G: Safety and usage recommendations for CO₂.
• Rounding off test results per IS 2:1960 rules, matching significant figures to specified values.

Summary:

• Pressure-resistant equipment is mandatory.
• Strict purity and contaminant limits ensure safe fire extinguishing performance.
• Follow annexes for testing and safety guidelines.

flowchart LR
    A[CO₂ Handling Equipment] -->|Must withstand| B[High Pressure]
    B --> C[Safe Operation]
    A -->|Or be protected from| D[Pressure]
    D --> C
    C --> E[Fire Protection Safety]

This ensures safe and effective use of CO₂ as a fire extinguishing medium.

IS 15222: Physical Properties & Specifications of Carbon Dioxide

Key Specifications (Table 1, Clause 4)

• CO₂ must meet these purity and contaminant limits to ensure safe and effective fire extinguishing.
• CO₂ from dry ice conversion must be processed to meet these limits.

Safety Note (Clause 5.1)

• Equipment handling CO₂ must be designed to withstand high pressures or be adequately protected.
• CO₂ is stored as a liquid under pressure; pressure design considerations are critical.

Physical Properties (General Knowledge)

flowchart TD
    A[CO₂ Gas] -->|Compression| B[Liquid CO₂]
    B -->|Storage under Pressure| C[Fire Extinguishing Equipment]
    C -->|Release| D[CO₂ Gas to Suppress Fire]

Summary:

• Ensure CO₂ purity ≥ 99.5%.
• Control moisture, oil, and sulphur to prevent corrosion and equipment damage.
• Design pressure vessels per CO₂ critical properties for safety.

IS 15222: Handling and Storage of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) – Key Points

1. Safety Warning (Clause 5.1)

• Equipment must be designed to withstand or be protected from CO₂ pressures.
• Handling systems should ensure pressure containment to prevent hazards.

2. CO₂ Quality Requirements (Table 1, Clause 4)

• CO₂ from dry ice conversion must be processed to meet these specs.

3. Rounding Off (IS 2:1960)

• Final test values must be rounded off to the same significant figures as specified.

Handling & Storage Best Practices (Engineering Knowledge)

• Store CO₂ in pressure vessels designed per IS 2825 or equivalent.
• Maintain temperature control to avoid excessive pressure rise.
• Use pressure relief devices sized by:

[ Q = C \times A \times \sqrt{2 \rho \Delta P} ]

Where:

• ( Q ) = flow rate,
• ( C ) = discharge coefficient,
• ( A ) = orifice area,
• ( \rho ) = fluid density,
• ( \Delta P ) = pressure differential.

flowchart LR
    A[CO₂ Storage Vessel] --> B{Pressure Monitoring}
    B -->|Safe| C[Normal Operation]
    B -->|High Pressure| D[Pressure Relief Valve]
    D --> E[Discharge to Safe Area]

Summary: Ensure equipment design for pressure, maintain purity per Table 1, and follow IS 2 for rounding test results. Use pressure relief systems for safety.

IS 15222: Determination of Water Content in CO2

Key Specifications & Procedure (Clause 5.3 & Annex A)

• Desiccant Preparation (A-2.5):

  • Mix fresh phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) with powdered glass or washed sand (particle size between 425 µm and 600 µm).
  • Fill U-tubes quickly with this mixture to ensure effective moisture absorption.

• Sample & Gas Flow:

  • Take sample in a cylinder (approx. 120 g CO2 per test).
  • Flow CO2 through absorption tubes at 500 ml/min for 10 min to purge air.
  • Weigh absorption tubes before and after passing CO2 for 1 hour at 500-1000 ml/min.

Formula for Water Content (% by mass):

[ \text{Water Content} = \frac{(m_2 - m_1) \times 100}{V} ]

Where:

• ( m_1 ) = initial mass of absorption tubes (g)
• ( m_2 ) = final mass of absorption tubes (g)
• ( V ) = volume of gas passed (litres at 20°C, 760 mmHg)

Summary Table

flowchart LR
    SampleCylinder -->|CO2 flow| AbsorptionTubes
    AbsorptionTubes --> FlowMeter --> GasMeter
    GasMeter -->|Measure volume| Calculation
    AbsorptionTubes -->|Weigh before & after| Calculation
    Calculation --> WaterContent[%]

This method ensures precise quantification of moisture in CO2 gas per IS 15222.

IS 15222: Determination of Oil Content

Key Formulas

• Oil Content (ppm by mass):

[ \text{Oil Content} = \frac{m_1 - m_2}{m_3} \times 10^6 ]

Where:

• ( m_1 ) = mass of oil in test solution (μg)

• ( m_2 ) = mass of oil in blank test solution (μg)

• ( m_3 ) = mass of sample taken (g)

• Mass of oil absorbed from gas:

[ \text{Oil mass} = m_2 - m_1 ]

Where:

• ( m_1 ) = initial mass of absorption tubes (g)
• ( m_2 ) = final mass of absorption tubes (g)
• ( V ) = volume of gas passed (L at 20°C, 760 mmHg)

Procedure Highlights (Annex B)

• Vaporize liquid sample, pass gas through carbon tetrachloride to extract oil.
• Wash cylinder with carbon tetrachloride; combine solutions.
• Measure absorbance at 3460 nm (C-H stretching) via IR spectrometer.
• Use analytical grade reagents.
• Prepare calibration graph by plotting standard oil masses vs absorbance.

Equipment Detail

• Bubbler Dimensions: Orifice jet diameter = 1.0 ± 0.1 mm (Fig. 1)

Summary Flowchart

flowchart TD
    A[Sample Collection] --> B[Vaporization]
    B --> C[Pass gas through CCl4]
    C --> D[Wash cylinder with CCl4]
    D --> E[Combine CCl4 solutions]
    E --> F[Measure Absorbance at 3460 nm]
    F --> G[Use Calibration Graph]
    G --> H[Calculate Oil Content (ppm)]

This method ensures precise quantification of oil contamination in gases per IS 15222 Clause 5.4 and Annex B.

IS 15222: Determination of Total Sulphur Compounds Content (Annex C, Clause 5.5)

Key Procedure:

• Reduction: Pass equal volumes of sample gas and purified hydrogen over silica wool at 900℃.
• Removal: Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) formed is absorbed in neutral cadmium chloride solution.
• Titration: Add known iodine solution; excess iodine is titrated with standard sodium thiosulphate solution.

Important Notes:

• Use analytical grade reagents and distilled water.
• Gas volume, V, is measured at 20℃ and 760 mmHg.
• Mass difference in absorption tubes used for calculations:
  [ \text{Sulphur content} \propto (m_2 - m_1) / V ] where:
  • ( m_1 ) = initial mass of absorption tubes (g)
  • ( m_2 ) = final mass of absorption tubes (g)
  • ( V ) = volume of gas passed (litres)

Reference Mass of CO₂:

• 1 litre CO₂ at 20℃ and 1013 mbar = 1.84 g (Clause 1.84)

Summary Table:

flowchart TD
    A[Sample Gas + H2] --> B[Pass over silica wool at 900℃]
    B --> C[H2S formed]
    C --> D[Absorption in neutral CdCl2 solution]
    D --> E[Add known iodine solution]
    E --> F[Titrate excess iodine with Na2S2O3]
    F --> G[Calculate total sulphur content]

This method ensures accurate

IS 15222: General Properties of Carbon Dioxide for Fire Extinguishing

Key Specifications (Table 1, Clause 4):

Important Notes:

• CO₂ must be capable of withstanding pressures involved or be protected from them (Clause 5.1 Safety Warning).
• Carbon dioxide from dry ice conversion usually does not meet these specs without processing.
• Annexes A-C specify test methods for water, oil, and sulphur content.
• Annexes D-G provide safety and usage recommendations.

Summary:

• Ensure CO₂ used for fire extinguishing complies with minimum purity and maximum contaminant limits.
• Use proper testing methods as per IS 15222 Annexes.
• Design equipment to handle high pressure safely.

flowchart TD
    A[CO₂ Source] --> B[Purity Test (≥99.5%)]
    A --> C[Water Content Test (≤0.015%)]
    A --> D[Oil Content Test (≤5 ppm)]
    A --> E[Sulphur Content Test (≤5 ppm)]
    B & C & D & E --> F[Approved CO₂ for Fire Extinguishing]
    F --> G[Safe Handling & Pressure Design]

IS 15222: Safety Precautions for Handling Carbon Dioxide

Key Points from Clause 5.1 and Table 1:

• Design Consideration: Equipment must withstand or be protected from high pressures involved in CO₂ handling.

• Purity and Contaminant Limits:

• Note: CO₂ from dry ice conversion usually requires further processing to meet purity standards.

Additional Safety Guidance:

• Refer to Annexes A-C for testing methods of water, oil, and sulphur content.
• Annexes D-G provide detailed safety and usage recommendations.
• Ensure all handling equipment complies with pressure and contamination limits to avoid hazards.

flowchart TD
    A[CO₂ Handling Equipment] --> B{Pressure Resistance}
    B -->|Withstand Pressure| C[Safe Operation]
    B -->|Pressure Protection| C
    C --> D[Maintain Purity & Contaminant Limits]
    D --> E[Water ≤ 0.015%]
    D --> F[Oil ≤ 5 ppm]
    D --> G[Sulphur ≤ 5 ppm]
    C --> H[Regular Testing (Annex A-C)]
    C --> I[Follow Safety Guidelines (Annex D-G)]

Summary: Design equipment to handle high pressures safely, maintain CO₂ purity above 99.5%, and keep contaminants within specified limits for safe handling and use.

IS 15222: Use of Fire Extinguishing Media with Other Media

IS 15222 focuses on specifications for fire extinguishing media like Carbon Dioxide (CO₂). While it does not explicitly provide combined use formulas, key points include:

Key Specifications for CO₂ (Clause 3.1 & Table 1)

• Purity: CO₂ must meet purity and quality standards as per Table 1 (not detailed here).
• Minimum Fire Extinguishing Capability: Ensures CO₂ is effective for fire suppression.

General Guidance for Use with Other Media

• CO₂ is often used alongside water, foam, or dry chemical powders for different fire classes.
• No direct formula in IS 15222, but typical practice:
  • Use CO₂ for Class B & C fires (flammable liquids, gases).
  • Combine with foam or powders for Class A fires (solids).

Typical Properties of CO₂ for Fire Extinguishing

Practical Note

• CO₂ displaces oxygen; ensure adequate ventilation.
• When combined with other media, sequence and compatibility must be verified.

flowchart LR
    A[Fire Source] --> B{Fire Class}
    B -->|Class A| C[Use Foam/Dry Powder]
    B -->|Class B or C| D[Use CO₂]
    C --> E[Possible Combined Use]
    D --> E
    E --> F[Effective Fire Suppression]

For detailed test methods and purity criteria, refer to the Indian Standard on CO₂ fire extinguishing media.