🔍 Key Concepts

• Fixed CO₂ fire-extinguishing systems on offshore drilling units • The difference between requirements for total flooding systems in machinery/engine rooms versus local application systems • Time-critical nature of CO₂ discharge to effectively control an enclosed-space fire

💭 Think About

• Think about why CO₂ must be released quickly in an enclosed space fire. How long can a fire be allowed to burn before it becomes uncontrollable? • Compare this timing requirement with what you may have studied for fixed CO₂ systems on other vessels or MODUs in 46 CFR—are the time limits similar or shorter? • Ask yourself which options seem too slow to stop a rapidly growing machinery-space fire and which seem unrealistically fast for a large system to discharge.

✅ Before You Answer

• Check 46 CFR requirements for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) and fixed CO₂ fire-extinguishing systems discharge times • Verify which time value is tied to discharging at least 85% of the required CO₂ quantity into the protected space • Confirm that the chosen time aligns with the concept of rapid total flooding needed to smother the fire before it spreads.