Question 815 Deck Safety

The correct answer is C) smothering. Carbon dioxide (CO2) primarily extinguishes a fire by smothering or displacing the oxygen in the air around the fire. When CO2 is released, it forms a blanket over the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply and preventing combustion from continuing. This smothering effect is the main mechanism by which CO2 is effective as a fire extinguishing agent. The other answer choices are incorrect because while CO2 may have some chemical action and cooling effects, these are secondary to its primary function of smothering the fire by oxygen displacement.