CO2 flooding is the final course of action, used only when all else has failed. Proper sealing of the engine room is essential for effective extinction of fire. There were incidents like CO2 is released, effective smothering did not occur due to improper sealing of engine room and fire remained unextinguished.
To obtain a total flooding of engine room, about 35% by volume of CO2 is required in 2 minutes. This will reduce the oxygen content of the air in engine room to less than 15% to extinguish the fire. At this CO2 concentration human life cannot be supported.
Typically it takes about 15-20 seconds after release of CO2 before the concentration in engine room reaches a dangerous level.
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