To be in compliance with the Montreal Protocol, which of the following options can be taken to refill a Halon
flooding system in the event that Halon is fully discharged in the computer room?
A.
Order an immediate refill with Halon 1201 from the manufacturer.
B.
Contact a Halon recycling bank to make arrangements for a refill.
C.
Order a Non-Hydrochlorofluorocarbon compound from the manufacturer.
D.
Order an immediate refill with Halon 1301 from the manufacturer.
Explanation:
Halon is a gas that was widely used in the past to suppress fires because it interferes with the chemical
combustion of the elements within a fire. It mixes quickly with the air and does not cause harm to computer
systems and other data processing devices. It was used mainly in data centers and server rooms. It was
discovered that halon has chemicals (chlorofluorocarbons) that deplete the ozone and that concentrations
greater than 10 percent are dangerous to people. Halon used on extremely hot fires degrades into toxic
chemicals, which is even more dangerous to humans.
Halon has not been manufactured since January 1, 1992, by international agreement. The Montreal Protocol
banned halon in 1987, and countries were given until 1992 to comply with these directives. The most effective
replacement for halon is FM-200, which is similar to halon but does not damage the ozone.
By law, companies that have halon extinguishers do not have to replace them, but the extinguishers cannot be
refilled. So, companies that have halon extinguishers do not have to replace them right away, but when the
extinguisher’s lifetime runs out, FM-200 extinguishers or other EPA-approved chemicals should be used.
Incorrect Answers:
A: You cannot refill a fire extinguisher with Halon 1201. Therefore, this answer is incorrect.
B: You cannot refill a fire extinguisher with Halon. Therefore, this answer is incorrect.
D: You cannot refill a fire extinguisher with Halon 1301. Therefore, this answer is incorrect.Harris, Shon, All In One CISSP Exam Guide, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2013, p. 473