USCG Firefighting License Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The main advantage of using CO2 extinguishers is that they do not conduct electricity. Carbon dioxide is a non-conductive gas, making CO2 extinguishers particularly suitable for electrical fires. This property allows firefighters to use these extinguishers on live electrical equipment without the risk of electric shock, which is a critical factor in fire safety.

CO2 extinguishers work by displacing oxygen, which is required for combustion, and they do this effectively while preventing damage to electrical components. Their effectiveness in putting out fires related to electrical equipment sets them apart from other types of extinguishers that may pose a risk when used in the presence of electricity.

The other options do not accurately reflect the key advantages of CO2 extinguishers. For example, CO2 extinguishers do not leave a residue (contrasting with the first option), they are not specifically designed for flammable solids (which is not their primary strength), and they do not cool burning materials significantly like water-based extinguishers would—hence, they do not primarily function by cooling the material on fire.