Limestone-Derived Fire Suppression Systems: A Sustainable Dual-Phase Framework for Materials Engineering

Fire suppression remains a critical concern for households, industries, and municipalities. Traditional agents such as halons, phosphate powders, and foams have been effective, but they pose risks related to toxicity, environmental damage, and cost (Babrauskas, 2003; UNEP, 2020). This paper introduces a conceptual framework for sustainable fire suppression technologies derived from limestone (CaCO3), emphasizing their potential to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to conventional extinguishers. The proposed approach highlights the conversion of limestone into calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), creating a dual suppression mechanism: thermal absorption, chemical neutralization, and oxygen displacement. The study integrates a review of existing suppression methods, the thermodynamics of limestone transformations, and a proposed methodology for production and testing. The framework aligns fire safety with green chemistry and circular economy principles (Anastas & Warner, 2000), while case-based reflections demonstrate potential applications across cement plants, residential complexes, transportation, and electrical systems. Key strengths such as abundance, affordability, and sustainability are discussed alongside limitations, including storage challenges and CO2 handling risks. The findings suggest that limestone-derived suppressants could reshape material engineering by advancing sustainable mineral applications, optimizing particle properties for enhanced performance, and promoting industrial reuse of CO2. While conceptual in nature, this work establishes the foundation for future research involving experimental validation, nanostructured formulations, hybrid systems, and real-world trials.