How to Correctly Choose a Fire Suppression Plan for Your Server Room

By: Periph Manu

Do you think it's time to choose a new fire suppression scheme? Putting in a new an out-of-date Halon system? Or, perhaps considering improvements to your out-of-date system? This can be a frightening undertaking. Recently, fire suppression systems come in a mind-boggling number of chemical compounds, an array of both simple and sophisticated notification devices, and a variety of looks. I will introduce you to the many exciting changes passed by the National Fire Protection Association, due in large part to inventive companies looking for better and simpler ways to protect computers and other electronic equipment.

Innovation is usually the result of changes in the way business is conducted. Reasons why innovative and innovative fire suppression systems are now being developed include the following: Water sprinkler systems' tendency to causedevastating damage in a computer environment; out-of-date fire suppression systems may not be environmentally friendly; the modern computer server environment is much more dense. A significant increase in storage capacity alone has allowed a significant reduction in the amount of space required to house computer equipment, telecommunications, and server equipment; out-of-date systems and subsequent technologies could be too expensive to purchase and install.

The number of smaller businesses has grown throughout the world, dictating a change in the way we protect our prized data and equipment. A significant number of businesses lease space in office complexes. Over ninety percent of businesses that lease space find it too cost-prohibitive to purchase and install most systems. And, most businesses do not want to install a system that becomes a permanent fixture which cannot be removed when a lease is up, additional space is required, or a business entity needs to expand or downsize.

Now there is a way to replace out-of-date fire suppression systems, update existing equipment, replace sprinkler heads, and purchase the insurance you need for your critical data and computer systems. Now you can increase or decrease a fire suppression system without a major expense. New systems can be uninstalled and reinstalled because they are not permanent fixtures. Your investment can go with you just like your data center or server room equipment.

The evolution of fire detection and suppression systems has been extreme. There are fire suppression agents that are unhealthy when inhaled and those that are certified "green." You can choose from a clean agent gas, water or aerosol. Some systems require a floating floor and significant space to reside, while others mount on available wall space.

There are systems that require little mitigation (the clean agent gasses), and those that need a whole cleaning crew and a few days worth of elbow grease. That leads to - you guessed it - server down time. From small to extensive, in the case of even the most miniscule fire, some systems can leave you twiddling your thumbs until you are back in business.

Next step - recharging your fire suppression system, and the time and expenses associated with that process.

I hope to simplify things here. I have been advising businesses on computer room fire suppression for many years. This first hand experience of selling fire suppression system solutions for most size rooms and enclosures has shown many businesses the benefits of utilizing newer technology when protecting valuable assets.

Let's start by summarizing the specific features of each type of automatic fire suppression system used in most data centers, NOCs and server rooms today. Then, I'll get into details that you will want to consider before opting for fire suppression equipment and a fire suppression company.

First, Understand the categories of Fires You Could Encounter

The National Fire Insurance Association has classified fires into four categories, determined by the materials or fuel being burned:

Type A: Fires with combustible materials as its source, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics

Type B: Fires in flammable liquids, oils, greases, tars, oil-base paints, lacquers, and flammable gases

Type C: Fires that involve electrical equipment

Type D: Fires with ignitable metals as its fuel source In a typical server room fire, a combination of categories A, B and C can be found. An effective fire suppression system will be rated for all three categories.

Often the source of a fire in a server room is not detected until after the fire has been extinguished. Therefore, installing a system that can handle A, B & C categories is a safeguard against an unexpected catastrophe.

Substances Used in Fire Suppression: Gas, Water and Aerosol

1. Gaseous or Clean Agent Fire Suppression

Gases used in fire suppression systems are typically Halon, CO2 or environmentally-friendly clean agents such as Inergen®. These gases do not extinguish a fire by smothering it, but rather by displacing oxygen or inhibiting a chemical reaction that is prized to the fire's survival.

The popular fire suppressant Halon is so dangerous to the environment that both Europe and the United States banned manufacturing of the gas in 1995. It is mentioned here only because many Halon systems installed before the ban was enacted are still in operation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) encourages the use of non-ozone depleting fire suppression agent alternatives, and in 1990, the US EPA established its significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) to evaluate new chemicals and technologies for the replacement of ozone depleting substances. As a result, many businesses are considering alternative clean agents that are environmentally beneficial.

Clean agents derive their name from the simple idea that they do not leave any residue after discharge. This feature makes them a great option for electronics and eliminates mitigation worries.

Another gas used in fire suppression, CO2, is damaging when inhaled at high concentrations (greater than 5% by volume, or 50,000 ppm). The current threshold limit value (TLV) or maximum level that is considered safe for healthy adults for an eight-hour work day is 0.5% (5,000 ppm). For this reason, your facility must be emptied before the system discharges.

Unlike CO2, Inergen® is non-dangerous . However, a discharge of Inergen® results in an approximate 3% concentration of carbon dioxide. While initially breathable, it is recommended that the environment be evacuated. Since it is not a liquid under pressure, Inergen® requires significant storage space. After a discharge, the environment becomes highly pressurized which could cause damage if not released in a timely manner.

Gas fire suppression systems typically consist of the agent (gas), agent storage containers, agent release valves, fire detectors and warning mechanisms, agent piping, and agent dispersion nozzles. With most gas agents, the environment must be pressurized in order to hold the agent. Installation is complicated and expensive, and the reward is realized only after discharge, as clean up is as simple as venting the room.

2. Water-Based Fire Suppression

Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems resulted from the evolution from standard sprinklers designed for flooding fires. Much lighter than their more outdated counterpart, water mist systems are effective on Type A and B fires and result in less damage than traditional water-based systems. Still, water mist systems are not ideal for server rooms due to the Type C electrical fires common to this environment. Clean up and safety issues are also a concern when faced withwet ordamp electronics. Although effective in the right situations, water mist systems must often be augmented with other fire suppression systems in order to ensure complete coverage in the event of a fire. After discharge, expect down time of a few weeks for a sprinkler system and less with water mist. Often with a sprinkler system, you are unable to take it with you if you are in a lease or are planning to move to new facilities. This could make a big difference in your consideration of a water-based system.

3. Aerosol Fire Suppression

The newest technology in fire suppression, Aerosol Extinguishing Technology, was officially approved and effective in 2005 by the National Fire Insurance Association. A clean agent with no post combustion byproducts, aerosols such as the brand Aero-K® do not substitute the oxygen as CO2 does, do not produce Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) after the fire, and have no environmental result.

The aerosol consists of ultra-fine particles that are expelled via generators. Upon discharge, the substance creates a fog of suspended particles.

Non-toxic and non-corrosive, the agent remains suspended in the environment for up to 60 minutes, virtually eliminating any possibility of reignition. After discharge and a 10-minute hold time, clean up includes venting the room and a light dusting of the surfaces.

Unlike gaseous systems, which operate at pressure and often require extensive piping, aerosol generators are very inexpensive to install and maintain and have small space and weight requirements. The generators that dispense the aerosol are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate any size environment.

Select A Fire Suppression Strategy with Reliable Safety Features

Safety specific features can save time, funds, equipment, and most importantly, human lives. Here are some specific features that your fire suppression system must have in order to prevent either premature discharge or the opposite - activation delay - when a new fire is either noticed or accidentally begun by human error.

Lock Out/Abort Switch - This feature is prized for instances when a service person is in the protected environment and creates smoke, for example from soldering. A lock out/abort switch lets you disable the system with a key to avoid an accidental discharge. Should a threatening fire start while the system is disabled, a worker can use a fire extinguisher for a localized fire or arm the system and use the manual pull station.

Manual Pull Station - If a fire is accidentally begun, or is noticed by someone in the room, the manual pull station allows for immediate response without waiting for the system to detect smoke.

Choose a Fire Suppression Firm That Will Tailor a System to your Specialized Needs

Aside from superior service, look for a fire suppression company that will make your desires their top priority. The company that bids your fire detection and suppression installation will want to know the size of your room and particular characteristics of your room. This will determine the amount of agent, piping, system space and weight requirements.

A good fire suppression business will consider such variables as the length of time you expect to lease your current space. If you intend to relocate within a few years, you'll want to know if the system can be transferred to your new facility and rebuilt cost-effectively. Don't forget to ask about the expenses associated with recharging the system, should the system discharge.

You'll also want to talk about how the system can be expanded if the size of your computer room increases due to growth. And, in the opposite scenario, will you be able to lessen the scale of the system if you cut back?

Each state, city, or municipality has fire-related regulations that must be considered when evaluating the options. Some agencies require sprinklers and others will allow a clean agent system in lieu of sprinklers. Factors such as the kind of building construction often impact the codes and regulations. Select a fire suppression installation vendor that asks all of the right questions about your fire code and other unique requirements such as UL certification for fire suppression equipment.

Fire Suppression Financial Costs

Prices are typically estimated based on the size of the room. This determines the amount of agent needed to suppress a fire as well as the equipment and delivery mechanisms needed. The agent concentration levels differ depending on the class of fire anticipated. Make sure you inquire about the expenses of updating the system on a yearly basis and also the life expectancy of the agent/systems so that you are prepared should you need to update once in a while for optimal effectiveness.

An Automatic Fire Suppression System Can Lower Your Insurance Premium

If you currently lack a fire suppression strategy, consider the insurance cost savings. Insurance businesses sometimes offer a Loss Control Survey that, when done, may offer rate reductions for installing a dry chemical fire suppression system. A call to your agent and some comparison shopping will give you an idea of what you'll save - typically in the range of 10%-15%. Don't forget to take the tax deduction. With a 10-year life expectancy, a product such as Aero-K® can depreciate over its full useful life.

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Periph Manu established Peripheral Manufacturing, Inc. 28 years ago after a successful careerwith a leading tape company. Periph was one of the first sales engineers manufacturing magnetic computer, video, and broadcast products. Peripherals has evolved into an internet-based business entity selling products used by the computer industry worldwide. New product introductions include Aero-K, a potassium-based, environmentally-friendly, fire suppression system for the computer, industrial, and automotive sectors. Read more about Peripheral Manufacturing at www.server-room-furniture.com

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