Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Safety Assessment Practice Test

Which type of fire extinguisher does not leave a harmful residue and is used on valuable equipment?

1. Water-Pressurized

2. Halon

3. Carbon Dioxide

4. Powder infused

The correct answer is: Halon

The type of fire extinguisher that does not leave a harmful residue and is particularly suitable for protecting valuable equipment is Halon. Halon extinguishers work by chemically interrupting the combustion process and are effective on a variety of fires, including those involving flammable liquids and electrical equipment. One key advantage of Halon is that it vaporizes quickly, leaving no residue behind, which makes it ideal for use in sensitive environments such as computer rooms, laboratories, and areas containing delicate machinery. This characteristic helps prevent secondary damage to equipment that may occur if a different type of extinguisher were used, which might leave a mess that requires cleanup after extinguishing the fire. While other extinguishers, such as Carbon Dioxide, are also residue-free and suitable for electrical fires, they may not be as effective in certain situations compared to Halon. However, Halon’s unique benefits stand out in terms of specific applications involving valuable or delicate equipment.