In fire and explosion prevention engineering, inerting refers to the introduction of an inert (non-combustible) gas into a closed system (e.g. a container or a process vessel) to make a flammable atmosphere oxygen deficient and non-ignitable.
NFPA 77 states[2] that carbon dioxide from high-pressure cylinders or fire extinguishers should never be used to inert a container or vessel.
The release of carbon dioxide may generate static electricity with enough energy to ignite the mixture, resulting in an explosion.
For example, marine tankers carrying low-flash products like crude oil, naphtha, or gasoline have inerting systems on board.
Only if enough inert gas is supplied as part of a purge-out-of-service procedure, will it be unable to burn when mixed with air.