Question 759 Deck Safety

The correct answer is B) for at least 20 seconds prior to release of CO2. According to Coast Guard regulations, spaces protected by a fixed CO2 system must be equipped with an audible alarm that sounds for at least 20 seconds before the CO2 is released into the space. This is to provide a clear warning to personnel in the area so they can evacuate before the CO2 is discharged, as the CO2 can displace oxygen and pose a serious asphyxiation hazard. The other answer choices are incorrect because A) the alarm should not sound for the entire CO2 release, C) the alarm should sound regardless of whether doors and ventilation are secured, and D) the alarm should sound before the CO2 release, not during the first 20 seconds.