🔍 Key Concepts

• CO2 flooding systems and how they work in an enclosed machinery space • Effects of CO2 on human occupants and the need for ventilation and atmospheric testing • Safe re-entry procedures: breathing apparatus, entry level, and gas behavior (CO2 is heavier than air)

💭 Think About

• Think about what happens to the air quality in a space after it has been filled with CO2 and why it remains dangerous even after discharge stops. • Consider the physical properties of CO2 compared to air. Where will the highest concentration of CO2 be in a machinery space after flooding? • Ask yourself what protective equipment and entry point would minimize risk to the investigating team when they first go back into the engine room.

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify where CO2 tends to accumulate in a compartment due to its density relative to air. • Confirm why using self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is critical on initial entry after a CO2 discharge. • Check which entry level (high or low) better reduces exposure to residual CO2 and allows for safer initial investigation.