Gaseous extinguishing systems form only a part, though an important part, of the available facilities, but it should not be assumed that their adoption necessarily removes the need to consider supplementary measures, such as automatic fire detection, the provision of fire extinguishers or other mobile appliances for first aid
or emergency use, or to deal with special hazards.

Gaseous extinguishants have for many years been recognised effective medium for extinction of flammable liquid Class B fire, and fires in the presence of electrical Class C fires and ordinary class A fires.

Inert gases such as Nitrogen (N2), Argon (Ar), Inergen (n2/Ar/CO2), Argonite (n2/Ar) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) are used in stationery Fire extinguishing systems.

Major reasons for avoiding the use of Inert gas based Fire extinguishing systems in a wider range has been that compressed gas systems, instead of a media, which can be compressed into a liquid, such as Halon and CO2, is that they require a higher extinguishing concentration, and thus need considerable more storage cylinders, i.e, they need considerable more space for storage.

CO2 is also from the family of inert gases and the only one, which can be stored in, liquefied state. Almost the entire effect of Fire extinguishment by Carbon Dioxide can be attributed to its dilution of oxygen in the air to achieve an inert atmosphere. Generally a dilution of oxygen from 21% Vol (normal) to an amount of app. 13% Vol. Will cause the flames to be extinguished. However due to its effect on the human being it can be used as fire extinguishing systems for unmanned area.

Halon extinguishing systems using Halon 1301 are suitable for dry, clean extinguishing without any primary danger to life. As Halons influence the earth’s ozone layer, the world-wide manufacture of halons as extinguishants have stopped due to its high Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) since December 31, 1993.