Is carbon dioxide a flammable gas?

Carbon dioxide is not flammable, meaning it cannot catch fire or support combustion under normal conditions. This characteristic makes it an essential gas when discussing fire safety and suppression. In fact, carbon dioxide is often used in fire extinguishers because it can displace oxygen in an environment, making it difficult for flames to sustain.

At standard atmospheric pressure and temperature, carbon dioxide is stable and does not have the properties that would allow it to ignite or burn. Unlike other gases, it does not form explosive or flammable mixtures with air, further solidifying its role as an inert gas in various applications, including its use in food and beverage preservation as well as industrial processes. This property distinctly differentiates it from flammable gases which have specific thresholds for combustion and can readily ignite under certain conditions.