What is a significant drawback of CO2 extinguishers?

The significant drawback of CO2 extinguishers is that the CO2 gas may quickly disperse, allowing the fire to re-start. This characteristic stems from the nature of carbon dioxide as a gaseous agent used to smother fires. Once released, CO2 can dissipate rapidly in open air, especially if there is a breeze or airflow in the environment. This can lead to the situation where, after the initial application, the fire may reignite once the concentration of CO2 decreases below the necessary level to suppress combustion.

Understanding this limitation is crucial for effective fire safety response. While CO2 extinguishers are particularly effective for flammable liquids and electrical fires due to their non-conductive quality and ability to cool the material, their rapid dispersal means that they must be used with caution and in a controlled environment to maintain effectiveness.

The other options do not represent the same fundamental risk associated with CO2 extinguishers. For example, concerns about weight, residue, or multiple uses relate to different characteristics but do not capture the critical issue of re-ignition potential associated with CO2's dispersal nature.