Exin Exam CDCP Topic 1 Question 3 Discussion

A fire extinguisher in the data centre that is classed as ABC is not suitable, because it contains dry chemical powder that can damage the ICT equipment and the data. ABC fire extinguishers are designed to fight Class A, B, and C fires, which are fueled by combustible materials, flammable liquids or gases, and electrical equipment, respectively. However, the dry chemical powder can leave a corrosive residue on the ICT equipment, which can cause short circuits, data loss, or malfunction. Moreover, the dry chemical powder can be difficult to clean, especially from the small spaces and crevices of the ICT equipment. Therefore, ABC fire extinguishers are not recommended for data centres, and should be replaced with more suitable fire extinguishers, such as clean agent fire extinguishers, which use gas or liquid that does not leave any residue or harm the ICT equipment.

1: CDCP Preparation Guide, page 24, section 2.4.3 2: Data Center Fire Suppression: Overview & Protection Guide3, page 1, section 1 4: Fire Extinguisher Classes and Suitability5, page 1, section 1 6: SAFETY DATA SHEET Commercial ABC Dry Chemical (Fire Extinguishing Agent ...7, page 1,