220-1102 Question 720
Single answer4.5 Summarize environmental impacts and local environment controls.A technician is asked to investigate why several desktop workstations in a small server-adjacent office are shutting down unexpectedly during the afternoon. The systems are connected to reliable UPS units, and hardware diagnostics do not show failing power supplies or overheating CPUs. During the site visit, the technician notices that a portable space heater has been placed under a desk near a cluster of PCs, and paper boxes are stacked around the rear exhaust vents of multiple systems. Which action should the technician take FIRST to address the most likely environmental cause of the shutdowns?
- A
Increase the monitor timeout settings so the systems generate less heat during inactivity
- B
Move the space heater away and clear the paper boxes blocking the workstation exhaust paths
- C
Replace the UPS batteries because intermittent shutdowns usually indicate unstable backup power
- D
Install a humidity sensor to confirm whether dry air is causing electrostatic discharge events
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
This question focuses on environmental impacts and local environmental controls, a key A+ Core 2 objective. In real-world support situations, technicians must evaluate the physical workspace, not just the hardware. Heat sources such as portable space heaters, blocked ventilation, poor airflow, and clutter around equipment can raise local ambient temperatures enough to trigger thermal shutdowns. Best practices for IT environments include maintaining proper ventilation, keeping exhaust paths clear, avoiding placement of heat-producing devices near computer equipment, and ensuring the surrounding area supports safe operating temperatures. These practices align with standard manufacturer guidance for desktop systems and general facility/environmental control recommendations.
- A. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Reducing monitor power usage may slightly lower total room heat, but it does not address the clear local environmental problem described in the scenario. The issue involves obstructed airflow and a nearby heat source affecting the PCs themselves, which is a more direct and likely cause of thermal shutdowns.
- B. Correct.
This is correct. A portable space heater placed near computers raises the local ambient temperature, and boxes blocking rear exhaust vents prevent proper airflow. Together, these conditions can cause systems to overheat and shut down even if internal components test normally. Correcting airflow and removing external heat sources is the appropriate first step in addressing local environmental controls.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. UPS problems can cause shutdowns, but the scenario specifically states the UPS units are reliable and diagnostics do not point to a power issue. Choosing this option reflects a common assumption that unexpected shutdowns are always electrical, while ignoring the more obvious environmental factors present on-site.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect. Low humidity can increase the risk of electrostatic discharge, but ESD typically causes component damage or intermittent faults rather than a predictable pattern of afternoon shutdowns tied to local heat conditions. A humidity sensor may be useful in some environments, but it is not the first response to the conditions described here.