co2 extinguisher

2 definitions found

co2 extinguisher - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Extinguisher \Ex*tin"guish*er\, n.
     One who, or that which, extinguishes; esp., a hollow cone or
     other device for extinguishing a flame, as of a torch or
     candle.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     fire extinguisher a portable device designed to deliver
        chemicals, usually in a stream, that can suppress or
        extinguish a fire. Examples of fire extinghuishers are a
        carbon dioxide extinguisher, or CO2 extinguisher, and
        soda-acid extinguisher.
        [PJC]

  CO2 extinguisher \CO2 extinguisher\ (s[=e]"[-o]*t[=oo]`
     [e^]ks*t[i^][ng]"gw[i^]sh*[~e]r),
     a device for suppressing fire, consisting of a steel cylinder
     containing compressed carbon dioxide, which may be released
     by pressing on a handle. The release of the gas is usually
     accomplished through a hose attached to a funnel-shaped vent
     which is directed at the base of the fire, and when released,
     part of the carbon dioxide is chilled sufficiently to
     solidify into a powder. The large quantity of inert carbon
     dioxide released on top of a small fire is usually sufficient
     to exinguish the flame by excluding oxygen, and the cooling
     effect also helps drive the temperature of the combustible
     material below that required to support compustion. It is
     used in situations where putting water on the fire might
     cause undesirable damage.
     [PJC]