WHAT IS A CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER?
A CO₂ (carbon dioxide) fire extinguisher displaces oxygen in the immediate vicinity of a fire, starving the combustion process and suppressing flames rapidly. Because carbon dioxide is a gas, it leaves no powder residue, no water damage, and no corrosive agents — making it the preferred choice for offices, server rooms, laboratories, and any environment housing electrical or electronic equipment.
CO₂ extinguishers are identified by their black band on the cylinder, as per Australian Standard colour-coding requirements.
The new CO2 Fire Extinguisher we supply & install comes with brackets, location signage and ID signage.
What Is a CO2 Fire Extinguisher Used For?
CO2 extinguishers are rated for Class B fires (flammable liquids) and Class E fires (electrically energised equipment). They are the preferred option wherever water, powder, or foam would cause unacceptable collateral damage. Common applications include:
- Server rooms and data centres – zero residue protects sensitive electronics
- Offices with high-value computing or AV equipment
- Medical and laboratory environments
- Commercial kitchens (non-cooking zones, e.g. near refrigeration or dishwashing equipment)
- Workshops and industrial spaces with electrical risk
CO2 vs Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher – Which Do You Need?
The key distinction is residue. A dry powder ABE extinguisher is more versatile – it covers Class A, B, and E fires – but leaves a fine powder that can damage electronics and requires significant clean-up. A CO2 fire extinguisher covers Class B and E fires only, but discharges cleanly with no lasting contamination. If your primary risk is electrical equipment or sensitive technology, CO2 is the right choice. For mixed-risk environments, we often recommend a combination of both.
NOT SUITABLE FOR
CO2 extinguishers are not to be used for Class A (Paper, Woods) or Class F (cooking oils, grease) fires. For Class A fires, an ABE fire extinguisher should be used, while a wet chemical fire extinguisher is recommended for Class F fires.
CO2 Extinguisher Sizes Available
| SIZE | DISCHARGE TIME |
|---|---|
| 2 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | ~10 sec |
| 3.5 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | ~12 sec |
| 5 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | ~15 sec |
| SIZE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| 2 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | Compact, ideal for small offices, reception areas, and vehicles |
| 3.5 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | The most common commercial size, suited to offices and server rooms |
| 5 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | Heavier-duty coverage for larger spaces |
| All units approved to AS/NZS 1841.6 and supplied with wall bracket and maintenance tag | |
Supply, Install & Service in Sydney & NSW
| SIZE | DISCHARGE TIME |
|---|---|
| 2 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | ~10 sec |
| 3.5 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | ~12 sec |
| 5 KG CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER | ~15 sec |
Fire Extinguisher Installation
Our installation is compliant to AS 2444. The extinguishers we supply are also compliant to Australian Standards.
The units itself must also comply with their own specific requirement. During installation, consideration should be made to ensure that the types, sizes, classification and distribution of extinguishers is made correctly so that the compliance for the particular occupancy is achieved.
Please refer to table below to get the complete understanding of difference classes of fire and fire extinguishers.
Types Of Fire Extinguisher We Supply
| Types | Class A Fire | Class B Fire | Class C Fire | Class E Fire | Class F Fire |
| Wood, Paper, Plastic | Flammable and combustible liquids | Flammable gases | Electrically energized equipment | Cooking oils & fats | |
| Water | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Foam | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Powder (ABE) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| CO₂ | Limited | Limited | Limited | Yes | Limited |
| Wet Chemical | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Different types of extinguishers and how they put out fire
For a fire to occur, it will require the following three components, it is also called a fire triangle.
- FUEL: example wood, paper, textile, inflammable etc.
- HEAT: constant source of heat to keep the fire going.
- OXYGEN: constant source of oxygen to help fire keep going.
If any of the above three is discontinued, the fire will be extinguished. Fire extinguishers were designed based on this science.
- The CO2 fire extinguisher – or carbon dioxide fire extinguisher – is the go-to solution for protecting electrical equipment, server rooms, data centres, and any environment where residue-free suppression is critical. Available in 2kg, 3.5kg, and 5kg sizes, all approved to AS/NZS 1841.6, SPS supplies and installs CO2 extinguishers across Sydney and NSW with fast turnaround and full compliance documentation.
- The ABE dry powder fire extinguisher is Australia’s most versatile portable extinguisher, covering Class A, B, and E fires in a single unit. Whether you’re outfitting a warehouse, workshop, office, or industrial facility, the DCP fire extinguisher is the practical, multi-risk solution. SPS Fire & Safety supplies, installs, and services the full range of ABE dry chemical extinguishers – from compact 2kg units through to 9kg models – across Sydney and NSW to AS/NZS 1841.5.
- The wet chemical fire extinguisher – also known as the AF type fire extinguisher – is specifically engineered for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats. It is a mandatory fire safety requirement in most commercial kitchens, restaurants, and food preparation environments across NSW. SPS Fire & Safety supplies, installs, and services wet chemical extinguishers for hospitality and food service businesses across Sydney and NSW, ensuring full compliance with Australian Standards and local fire safety regulations.
- The water fire extinguisher is the simplest and most cost-effective solution for Class A fires involving solid combustible materials such as wood, paper, fabric, and plastic. Suitable for offices, schools, warehouses, and low-risk commercial environments, the water extinguisher is a reliable first-response tool where flammable liquids and electrical equipment are not present. SPS Fire & Safety supplies and installs water fire extinguishers for businesses across Sydney and NSW to Australian Standards.
- Foam fire extinguishers are designed for Class A and Class B fires, making them ideal for environments where both solid combustibles and flammable liquids present a risk. The AFFF (aqueous film forming foam) extinguisher works by forming a blanket over the burning surface, cutting off oxygen and cooling the fuel. SPS Fire & Safety supplies and installs foam extinguishers – including PFAS-free and fluorine-free options – for industrial, commercial, and warehouse environments across Sydney and NSW.
- Evacuation diagrams are a legal requirement in Australian workplaces and buildings under AS 3745 (Planning for Emergencies in Facilities) and the Work Health and Safety Regulations. SPS Fire & Safety produces professional, site-specific evacuation diagrams for commercial buildings, offices, strata complexes, schools, and industrial facilities across Sydney and NSW. Our diagrams are compliant, easy to read, durable, and ready for display throughout your premises.
- A FIP zone block plan is a mandatory graphical document required at or adjacent to every Fire Indicator Panel (FIP), Sub-FIP, and Mimic Panel in a building’s fire alarm system. Under AS 1670.1, each zone block plan must clearly show the fire detection zones and their correspondence to the physical layout of the building, enabling fire brigade and facility personnel to rapidly locate the source of any alarm. SPS Fire & Safety produces compliant, professionally formatted FIP zone block plans for buildings across Sydney and NSW.
- The Fire Indicator Panel (FIP) is the central intelligence hub of a building’s fire detection and alarm system. It receives input from smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual call points, and other sensing devices, and activates audible and visual alarms, emergency warning systems, and brigade notification when a fire is detected. SPS Fire & Safety supplies, installs, tests, and maintains fire indicator panels and EWIS systems for commercial, residential, and industrial buildings across Sydney and NSW to AS 1670.
How can SPS Fire and Safety help you?
SPS services offer a top-quality fire service that gives you a powerful defence against fire. We provide essential fire training, fire extinguisher service, and products to stay safe which is compliant with Australian legislation.
Our Happy Customer
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Robin
“Very friendly and supportive staff. We are very grateful to get fire protection services from SPS Fire And Safety.”
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Melissa C
“Technicians and admin staff were very friendly. Job was carried out quickly and professionally.”
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Bijaya Timilsina
“Timely and accurate delivery. Helped me liaise with council on my behalf. Pricing is reasonable and response is almost instant. I am a satisfied customer of SPS.”
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Justin O’Neil
“One of the few companies that understand customer service – Sunil from SPS Fire and Safety has gone above and beyond!”
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Matt Hope
“Wonderful Service with helpful and Knowledgeable staff. Would highly recommend to anyone for SPS Fire and Safety fire protection needs.”
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Krishna Roka
“SPS carries out our monthly & yearly service thorough. Professional service with no disruption to our business. Efficient and cheerful as always.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about fire safety and compliance
Still have questions?
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Is an Annual Fire Safety Statement mandatory?
What happens if my AFSS submission is late?
What is a Fire Safety Schedule?
Can I submit an AFSS without maintenance records?
How often does fire equipment need to be serviced?
What happens if my building fails a fire safety inspection?
What are essential fire safety measures?
These are fire protection systems listed on the Fire Safety Schedule that must be maintained and certified to a prescribed performance standard.