- A
Quickly unplug the sparking PC to prevent a fire.
Why wrong: Approaching a sparking PC near an unstable rack puts the technician at risk of electric shock or being struck by falling equipment.
- B
Evacuate the area and report the incident to the safety officer or call 911.
Safety of personnel is paramount; the technician should not enter a hazardous zone. Professional responders will secure the area.
- C
Use a fire extinguisher on the sparking PC to prevent ignition.
Why wrong: Using a fire extinguisher on live electrical equipment can cause shock and may not address the structural instability.
- D
Stabilize the rack with a nearby pallet to prevent further collapse.
Why wrong: Attempting to stabilize a heavy rack without proper training and equipment can cause it to collapse further, injuring the technician.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to evacuate the area and report the incident to the safety officer or call 911. This is the first priority because the immediate threat is life safety: a sparking PC indicates an electrical fault that could lead to fire or arc flash, while the unstable, leaning rack creates a risk of structural collapse. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the first step in any emergency response—sparking PC or not—which is to remove people from danger before addressing equipment. A common trap is to focus on unplugging the PC or grabbing a fire extinguisher, but attempting either while the rack is unstable could result in electrocution or being struck by falling hardware. Remember the memory tip: “People first, plugs second”—if you see sparks, clear the space and call for help before touching anything.
220-1102 Safety Procedures and Compliance Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of safety procedures and compliance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is called to a warehouse where a forklift accidentally struck a rack containing several desktop PCs. The rack is leaning, and one PC has fallen and is sparking. What is the technician's first priority for safety?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Evacuate the area and report the incident to the safety officer or call 911.
The immediate priority when a PC is sparking and a rack is unstable is life safety. Evacuating the area and reporting the incident (to a safety officer or by calling 911) ensures no one is exposed to potential electrical fire, arc flash, or structural collapse. Attempting to unplug or extinguish the sparking PC while the rack is leaning could result in electrocution, burns, or being struck by falling equipment.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Quickly unplug the sparking PC to prevent a fire.
Why it's wrong here
Approaching a sparking PC near an unstable rack puts the technician at risk of electric shock or being struck by falling equipment.
- ✓
Evacuate the area and report the incident to the safety officer or call 911.
Why this is correct
Safety of personnel is paramount; the technician should not enter a hazardous zone. Professional responders will secure the area.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a fire extinguisher on the sparking PC to prevent ignition.
Why it's wrong here
Using a fire extinguisher on live electrical equipment can cause shock and may not address the structural instability.
- ✗
Stabilize the rack with a nearby pallet to prevent further collapse.
Why it's wrong here
Attempting to stabilize a heavy rack without proper training and equipment can cause it to collapse further, injuring the technician.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the principle that life safety (evacuation and reporting) always takes precedence over equipment preservation or firefighting, tempting candidates to choose a hands-on action like unplugging or extinguishing the sparking PC.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In electrical safety, a sparking PC often indicates a short circuit or component failure (e.g., a swollen capacitor or damaged power supply). The spark can produce heat, ionized gases, and potentially ignite nearby combustibles. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standard emphasizes establishing an electrically safe work condition (de-energizing and verifying) before approaching, but in an uncontrolled incident, evacuation and notification are paramount to prevent injury from arc flash or structural collapse.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Safety Procedures and Compliance — This question tests Safety Procedures and Compliance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Evacuate the area and report the incident to the safety officer or call 911. — The immediate priority when a PC is sparking and a rack is unstable is life safety. Evacuating the area and reporting the incident (to a safety officer or by calling 911) ensures no one is exposed to potential electrical fire, arc flash, or structural collapse. Attempting to unplug or extinguish the sparking PC while the rack is leaning could result in electrocution, burns, or being struck by falling equipment.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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