Fire Extinguishers for Data Centers and Data Halls
What NFPA 10 (2026) asks for in a data hall is specific: units protecting delicate electronic equipment come from the types listed for Class C, and dry chemical is not installed for that purpose (5.5.4.6). Below: those sections in plain words, the clean agent units that meet them with live prices, which unit fits the room by volume, and the other standards a data-center project reads alongside NFPA 10. Ships in 1–2 business days; most orders arrive in 3–7 business days.
What NFPA 10 (2026) says for this room
| Section | In plain words |
|---|---|
| 5.5.4.6.1 | Extinguishers protecting delicate electronic equipment are selected from types listed and labeled for Class C. |
| 5.5.4.6.2 | Dry chemical extinguishers are not installed for the protection of delicate electronic equipment. |
| 6.4.1 to 6.4.3 | Class C-rated units are required where energized electrical equipment can be encountered; they are sized and located on the Class A or Class B hazard present (2-A minimum within 75 ft for light and ordinary Class A hazard; 5-B within 30 ft or 10-B within 50 ft for light Class B). |
| 5.3.2.6.1 | Halogenated agent units follow the nameplate minimum room volume. |
| 6.1.3.9 | Mounting height: top of a unit under 40 lb no more than 5 ft above the floor; bottom at least 4 in. |
| 7.2 / 7.3 | Monthly inspection; annual maintenance with a tag. |
Source: NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, 2026 edition, sections as cited, read on NFPA's free access; Amerex HT Series clean agent sheet for minimum room volumes. Summaries are ours; the standard and the authority having jurisdiction govern.
Which unit fits the room volume
NFPA 10 (2026) 5.3.2.6.1: extinguishers containing halogenated agents are placed in line with the minimum confined-space volume on the nameplate. Length x width x height in feet gives the room volume in cubic feet.
| Unit | Rating | Minimum room volume (Amerex) |
|---|---|---|
| Amerex 551 Halotron BrX, 12.5 lb | 2A:10B:C | 2,988 cu ft |
| Amerex 549 / 547 Halotron BrX, 3.75 lb | 5B:C | 896 cu ft |
| Amerex A537TS Halotron BrX, 1.79 lb | 2B:C | 427 cu ft |
| Amerex 398 / 397 Halotron I | 2A:10B:C / 1A:10B:C | Not listed by Amerex; follow the nameplate |
| Carbon dioxide 330 / 332 | 10-B:C | Not applicable; see the nameplate for confined-space cautions |
Class C-listed clean agent units
| Part number | Item | Version | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 28084 | Amerex 28084 Model 551 Halotron BrX Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher, 12.5 lb | 12.5 lb | $1,431.84 |
Amerex HT Series, nonrechargeable, 12-year service life. Prices are live.
| Part number | Item | Version | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 15510 | Amerex 15510 Model 398 Halotron I Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher, 15.5 lb | 15.5 lb | $2,256.25 | |
 | 15509 | Amerex 15509 Model 397 Halotron I Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher, 11 lb | 11 lb | $1,570.75 | |
 | 15271 | Amerex 15271 Model B386T Halotron I Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher, 5 lb | 5 lb | $770.98 | |
 | 15231 | Amerex 15231 Model B385TS Halotron I Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher, 2.5 lb | 2.5 lb | $429.51 | |
 | 14400 | Amerex 14400 Model A384T Halotron I Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher, 1.4 lb | 1.4 lb | $300.35 | |
 | 01714 | Amerex 01714 Model 330 Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher, 10-B:C, 10 lb | 10-B:C, 10 lb | $459.95 | |
 | 01708 | Amerex 01708 Model 332 Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher, 10-B:C, 20 lb | 10-B:C, 20 lb | $686.96 | |
 | 27702 | Amerex 27702 Model C272 Water Mist Fire Extinguisher, 2-A:C, 2.5 Gallon | 2-A:C, 2.5 Gallon | $344.59 |
Halotron I, carbon dioxide and water mist units, rechargeable.
Other standards on the project
NFPA 75, Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment, is listed in NFPA 10 (2026) 5.5.5.1 among the occupancy documents to review when portable extinguishers are required; 5.5.5.2 says those documents never reduce NFPA 10's own requirements. Read NFPA 75 on NFPA's free access for the IT-equipment room provisions that apply to your project.
See also: clean agent fire extinguishers · Amerex HT Series · Class C fire extinguishers · minimum room volume · NFPA 10 requirements explained.
Fire Extinguishers for Data Centers and Data Halls questions
What fire extinguisher does NFPA 10 call for in a data center? One listed and labeled for Class C, and not dry chemical, where delicate electronic equipment is being protected (NFPA 10 (2026) 5.5.4.6.1 and 5.5.4.6.2). Clean agent units such as Halotron BrX, Halotron I and carbon dioxide carry Class C listings.
Can I put an ABC extinguisher in a data hall? NFPA 10 (2026) 5.5.4.6.2 says dry chemical extinguishers are not installed to protect delicate electronic equipment. ABC units can still be the building-protection units elsewhere in the facility (5.5.2).
How is a Class C extinguisher sized for a data hall? On the Class A or Class B hazard present (6.4.3): a 2A:10B:C unit such as the Amerex 551 meets the light and ordinary Class A minimum within 75 ft of travel and the light Class B minimum within 30 ft.
Why does the room volume matter? Halogenated agent units carry a minimum room volume on the nameplate and NFPA 10 (2026) 5.3.2.6.1 requires placement to follow it. The Amerex 551 is listed for rooms of 2,988 cubic feet and up; the 547 and 549 for 896 and up.
Does NFPA 75 require portable extinguishers? NFPA 10 lists NFPA 75 among the occupancy standards to review (5.5.5.1). Read the current NFPA 75 for its own portable extinguisher provisions; NFPA 10 remains the minimum (5.5.5.2).
The ratings, test results and standards shown here are the manufacturers' published values, reproduced as published. Nothing on this page is a recommendation by Bayshore Safety that any product is suitable for a particular task, hazard or workplace. Selecting safety products and protective equipment is the responsibility of the end user and the employer, based on their own hazard assessment and the regulations that apply to their work. Confirm every value on the manufacturer's own documentation before use.