How long will a portable CO2 extinguisher last?

How long will a portable CO2 extinguisher last?

• A. Approximately 60 seconds.
• B. Approximately 40 seconds of use.
• C. Approximately 20 seconds.
• D. Approximately 80 seconds.

Answer: (B)

Discharge duration is governed by how much CO2 is in the cylinder and how fast it is expelled through the nozzle. For a standard portable CO2 extinguisher used in Navy settings (a common 5-pound unit), the flow rate and the amount of extinguishing agent work together to provide roughly 40 seconds of usable discharge. Once the liquid CO2 flashes to gas and the pressure drops, the extinguisher runs out of material and stops spraying. So about 40 seconds is the typical expected duration for a common portable unit. Smaller units would run shorter, while larger portable cylinders would last longer, but the question targets the standard portable size, which aligns with around 40 seconds. Choices like 60 or 80 seconds would imply more endurance than a typical unit provides, and 20 seconds would be shorter than what a standard 5-pound CO2 extinguisher delivers.

Discharge duration is governed by how much CO2 is in the cylinder and how fast it is expelled through the nozzle. For a standard portable CO2 extinguisher used in Navy settings (a common 5-pound unit), the flow rate and the amount of extinguishing agent work together to provide roughly 40 seconds of usable discharge. Once the liquid CO2 flashes to gas and the pressure drops, the extinguisher runs out of material and stops spraying. So about 40 seconds is the typical expected duration for a common portable unit.

Smaller units would run shorter, while larger portable cylinders would last longer, but the question targets the standard portable size, which aligns with around 40 seconds. Choices like 60 or 80 seconds would imply more endurance than a typical unit provides, and 20 seconds would be shorter than what a standard 5-pound CO2 extinguisher delivers.