Page 703 - (ISC)² CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide

The earlier a fire is detected, the easier it is to extinguish and the less
damage it and its suppression medium(s) can cause.

One of the basics of fire management is proper personnel awareness

training. Everyone should be thoroughly familiar with the fire
suppression mechanisms in their facility. Everyone should also be
familiar with at least two evacuation routes from their primary work
area and know how to locate evacuation routes elsewhere in the
facility. Personnel should be trained in the location and use of fire

extinguishers. Other items to include in fire or general emergency-
response training include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),
emergency shutdown procedures, and a pre-established rendezvous
location or safety verification mechanism (such as voicemail).

Most fires in a datacenter are caused by overloaded electrical

distribution outlets.

Fire Extinguishers

There are several types of fire extinguishers. Understanding what type
to use on various forms of fire is essential to effective fire suppression.
If a fire extinguisher is used improperly or the wrong form of fire
extinguisher is used, the fire could spread and intensify instead of
being quenched. Fire extinguishers are to be used only when a fire is
still in the incipient stage. Table 10.2 lists the three common types of

fire extinguishers.

TABLE 10.2 Fire extinguisher classes

Class Type Suppression material
A Common Water, soda acid (a dry powder or liquid

combustibles chemical)
B Liquids CO2, halon*, soda acid

C Electrical CO2, halon*

D Metal Dry powder