Q&A on locks on ABC dry powder fire extinguishers

In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about ABC dry powder fire extinguishers.

Q: We are doing fire extinguisher annual maintenance on a hospital and have found that there is a high volume of ABC dry powder units throughout the site and very few CO2 units. We are wondering if this is a problem?

A: The only regulation concerning fire extinguishers in healthcare is NFPA 10 (1998 edition). NFPA 10 requires that the classification of the fire extinguisher be matched with the classification of the potential fire. However, there are infection control issues to be concerned about, and an ABC dry powder fire extinguisher would not be a good selection for use in an operating room or a procedure room. 

Read the complete question and answer.