Final answer:
The recommended fire extinguisher for use in an OR is Halon as it is effective and leaves no residue. CO₂ extinguishers are not suitable due to potential equipment damage. Halon is still used in situations where alternatives do not offer a feasible or safer option.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recommended type of fire extinguisher for use in an operating room (OR) is C) Halon. Halon extinguishers are preferred in healthcare environments because they are effective on electrical fires and leave no residue, which is vital for maintaining a sterile environment. CO₂ extinguishers also cut off the oxygen supply to fire, but they are not suitable for areas with sensitive equipment, such as an OR, due to the potential for moisture from the CO₂ to damage the equipment. Moreover, Halon is no longer recommended for new systems because of its ozone-depleting properties, it is still used in certain critical applications where alternatives are not feasible or would pose greater risks.
Dry-cleaning solvent and carbon tetrachloride were formerly used in fire extinguishers, but they are no longer recommended due to the formation of the toxic gas phosgene when exposed to fire. Currently, a fluorinated solution, which can spread across the burning surface to extinguish the fire, is used in modern foaming agents for fighting fires. These solutions are now universally used to fight large-scale fires of organic liquids.