What is the main purpose of extinguishing agents like CO2?

The main purpose of extinguishing agents like CO2 (carbon dioxide) is to remove oxygen from the fire environment. Fires require three components to sustain combustion: heat, fuel, and oxygen, often referred to as the fire triangle. CO2 effectively disrupts this triangle by displacing the oxygen in the area around the fire. When the oxygen concentration is reduced, the combustion process is interrupted, leading to the extinguishment of the fire.

In scenarios where rapid or immediate fire suppression is necessary, CO2 is preferred because it leaves no residue and can be used in enclosed spaces without causing harm to equipment. This capability makes it particularly effective for extinguishing fires involving electrical equipment or flammable liquids, where water and other agents may not be suitable.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary function of CO2 in fire suppression. Increasing the temperature or cooling the burning material would not extinguish the fire. Encapsulation might apply to some suppression techniques, but it does not describe the mechanism by which CO2 acts as an extinguishing agent.