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What is the Right Fire Extinguisher to Use Around Computers & Servers?

By Ironclad Fire Protection··6 min read

When fire threatens your computer equipment or server room, using the wrong extinguisher can cause more damage than the fire itself. Here's everything you need to know about protecting your valuable IT infrastructure.

The Critical Choice: Clean Agent vs. Traditional

Why Standard ABC Extinguishers Are Problematic

Traditional dry chemical (ABC) extinguishers are effective but devastating to electronics:

  • Corrosive powder destroys circuitry
  • Residue conducts electricity
  • Cleanup costs exceed equipment replacement
  • Downtime can last weeks

One IT manager learned this lesson expensively: "The fire caused $5,000 in damage. The ABC extinguisher cleanup cost us $50,000 and two weeks of downtime."

Best Options for Computer Areas

1. CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Extinguishers - Good Choice

Class BC Rated

Pros:

  • Leaves no residue
  • Non-conductive
  • Safe for live electrical equipment
  • Instant dissipation
  • No cleanup required

Cons:

  • Limited cooling effect
  • Can displace oxygen (ventilation needed)
  • Not effective on Class A fires (paper, wood)
  • Shorter discharge range

Best for: Small server rooms, individual workstations, electrical panels

2. Clean Agent Extinguishers - Best Choice

Halotron, FM-200, or Novec 1230

Pros:

  • Zero residue
  • Non-conductive
  • Safe for sensitive equipment
  • Environmentally friendly (no ozone depletion)
  • Effective on ABC fires
  • Longer discharge range than CO2

Cons:

  • Higher initial cost
  • Requires specialized service
  • May need special disposal

Best for: Data centers, server rooms, telecommunication facilities

3. Water Mist Extinguishers - Emerging Option

Specialized Units Only

Pros:

  • De-ionized water is non-conductive
  • Minimal collateral damage
  • Effective cooling
  • Environmentally safe

Cons:

  • Not all water mist units are safe for electrical
  • More expensive than traditional
  • Limited availability

Best for: Mixed-use areas with both electronics and combustibles

What to Avoid at All Costs

Never Use These Around Computers:

  • Standard ABC Dry Chemical: Destroys electronics
  • Regular Water: Conducts electricity, causes shorts
  • Foam: Conductive and leaves residue
  • Dry Powder Class D: Wrong application, damaging residue

Server Room Special Considerations

Automatic Suppression Systems

For critical server rooms, consider:

  • FM-200 systems
  • Novec 1230 systems
  • Inert gas systems (Argon/Nitrogen)
  • Pre-action sprinkler systems

Portable Extinguisher Placement

  • One extinguisher per 3,000 sq ft minimum
  • Maximum 75 feet travel distance
  • Mount near exits, not over equipment
  • Place outside server room if possible

Understanding Fire Classes in IT Environments

Class C Fires (Electrical)

  • Live electrical equipment
  • Servers, computers, UPS systems
  • Requires non-conductive agent

Class A Fires (Ordinary Combustibles)

  • Paper, cardboard packaging
  • Furniture, carpeting
  • Cable insulation (after power off)

Class B Fires (Rare in IT)

  • Cleaning solvents
  • Some cooling fluids
  • Generator fuel

Size Recommendations

Individual Workstations

  • 5 lb CO2 or clean agent
  • Wall-mounted for easy access
  • One per 3-6 workstations

Server Rooms

  • Minimum 10 lb CO2 or clean agent
  • Consider multiple units
  • Place inside and outside room

Data Centers

  • 15-20 lb clean agent units
  • Automatic suppression system primary
  • Portables as backup only

Proper Usage Technique

For Electronic Fires:

  1. Shut down power if safely possible
  2. Evacuate non-essential personnel
  3. Use extinguisher from safe distance
  4. Aim at base of flames
  5. Use sweeping motion
  6. Ventilate area after CO2 use

Critical Safety Note

Never fight a fire if:

  • Smoke is thick
  • Fire is larger than you
  • Exit route is compromised
  • Automatic suppression has activated

Cost Analysis

Initial Investment

  • ABC Dry Chemical: $50-150
  • CO2: $150-400
  • Clean Agent: $400-1,200
  • Automatic System: $30-100 per sq ft

Hidden Costs of Wrong Choice

Using ABC extinguisher on servers can cause:

  • Equipment replacement: $10,000-100,000+
  • Cleanup costs: $5,000-50,000
  • Downtime losses: $1,000-10,000 per hour
  • Data recovery: $5,000-50,000

Clean agent pays for itself with one use

Maintenance Requirements

CO2 Extinguishers

  • Annual inspection required
  • Weight check critical (CO2 can leak)
  • Hydrostatic test every 5 years
  • No internal maintenance needed

Clean Agent Extinguishers

  • Annual inspection required
  • Six-year maintenance
  • Twelve-year hydrostatic test
  • Factory recharge only

Environmental Factors

Temperature Considerations

Server rooms run hot:

  • Ensure extinguisher rated for room temperature
  • CO2 performs well in heat
  • Store units away from hot aisles

Humidity and Static

  • High static environments increase fire risk
  • Maintain proper humidity (40-60%)
  • Ground all equipment properly
  • Use anti-static materials

Training Your IT Staff

Essential Training Points

  • Location of all extinguishers
  • Difference between types
  • When NOT to fight fire
  • Power shutdown procedures
  • Evacuation protocols
  • Suppression system operation

Hands-On Practice

  • Annual extinguisher training
  • Use training units (water/CO2)
  • Practice PASS technique
  • Simulate IT-specific scenarios

Integration with Fire Safety Plan

IT-Specific Procedures

  1. Power shutdown sequence
  2. Data backup verification
  3. Equipment prioritization list
  4. Vendor contact information
  5. Recovery time objectives

Documentation Required

  • Extinguisher locations mapped
  • Inspection records
  • Training certifications
  • Suppression system tests
  • Incident response plan

Special Situations

Lithium Battery Fires

  • Require Class D or special lithium extinguisher
  • CO2 ineffective
  • Water can cause explosion
  • Evacuate immediately

UPS Battery Rooms

  • Hydrogen gas risk
  • Require excellent ventilation
  • CO2 or clean agent only
  • Never use water

Historic or Irreplaceable Equipment

  • Clean agent mandatory
  • Consider fire blankets
  • Multiple small units better
  • Pre-incident planning critical

Regulatory Compliance

NFPA 75 Requirements

Standard for IT equipment protection:

  • Proper extinguisher types
  • Placement requirements
  • Inspection frequencies
  • Training mandates

Insurance Considerations

Many policies require:

  • Specific extinguisher types
  • Automatic suppression for server rooms
  • Regular inspections
  • Staff training documentation

Making the Investment Decision

Small Business (1-10 workstations)

  • Minimum: 2 CO2 extinguishers
  • Better: 1 clean agent, 1 CO2
  • Location: IT area and electrical panel

Medium Business (Server Room)

  • Minimum: Multiple CO2 units
  • Better: Clean agent throughout
  • Best: Automatic suppression + portables

Enterprise (Data Center)

  • Requirement: Automatic suppression
  • Backup: Clean agent portables
  • Consider: Specialized response team

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Buying based on price alone - Savings disappear with one incident
  2. Forgetting training - Best equipment useless if misused
  3. Ignoring maintenance - Extinguishers fail when needed most
  4. Wrong mounting height - Must be accessible but safe
  5. No backup plan - Always have redundancy

Conclusion

Protecting computers and servers requires specialized fire extinguishers. While CO2 provides good protection, clean agent extinguishers offer the best combination of effectiveness and safety for valuable IT equipment. The higher initial cost is insignificant compared to potential losses from using the wrong type.

Remember: In IT environments, the extinguisher you choose can mean the difference between a minor incident and a business-ending disaster.

Need help selecting the right fire protection for your IT infrastructure? Contact Ironclad Fire Protection for expert consultation and professional installation of computer-safe fire suppression solutions.