What is a common use for portable CO2 extinguishers on a ship?

Portable CO2 extinguishers are primarily used for fighting electrical fires. This is due to the non-conductive nature of carbon dioxide, which makes it safe to use on fires involving electrical equipment without the risk of electric shock. Additionally, CO2 extinguishers work by displacing oxygen in the vicinity of the fire, effectively suffocating the flames.

While they can also be utilized on some liquid fires, such as those involving flammable liquids (often referred to as Class B fires), they are not as effective with solid material fires (Class A). Thus, while the application of CO2 extinguishers can extend to other types of fires, their specific design and effectiveness make them particularly well-suited for electrical fires, establishing this as a common and primary use for them aboard ships.