Fire Fighting for Data Center

More important I think is protection from the sound generated and other measures that may be taken to mitigate damage in a fire alarm event....

Some points to consider....

http://www.datacenterjournal.com/it/inert-gas-data-center-fire-protection-and-hard-disk-drive-damage/

A knew information to me and A very good link for reference.

So, what is your opinion having the HYPOXIC system.

Well I think it comes down to the details...this is dependent on the installation personnel, their experience and quality of service, as well as the customer's willingness and ability to follow recommendations and procedures....any system can be rendered substandard by a poor installation and/or poor procedure...The goal is to protect the integrity of the equipment and safety for personnel...I have no recommendation on which type or brand of system fits your needs....that's a decision that must be made on site after careful evaluation of the options available...

What is the reason behind wnating to change the system??

FM200 or any of the CO2/Argon/Nitrogen based systems are all effectively the same and not harmfull to the environment. Halon is definately dont go the teritory as it is no longer legal for most environments.

Any water based systems should be kept for Plant Rooms only.

Gaseous Suppression Systems do leave the option to keep your IT Systems running if they are critical enough.

Once the Pre-Action or misting systems dump, you need to shutdown your IT equipment to prevent further damage and reduce risks to your fire brigade responders.

Regards,
Stuart

The reason behind the intention is, NOVEC is more environment friendly, reduced atmospheric life and its safety margin for the room integrity, as seen in the data sheet.

My intention is to advice them any other better established system which is most recommendable for a Data Center (DC); because anyway, the management is investing money for refurbishment.

Any one who has a direct information about the real discharge of the system agent, disposal of the residue and the re serviceability of the IT equipment can guide us from his experience.

If we ask any supplier about the subject, each will project the advantage of his product and disadvantage of the other.

Even, I have visited a DC center (with expected TER-3 or 4 design compliance), which is not yet commissioned, is used the Water Mist system. I could not check with them whether it is for primary fire suppression or as a back up.

Musthafa,

I would stick with Inergen or FM200.

Both of these use Gases that are Inert and work by reducing the percentage of oxygen in a given volume to 14-16%. There is No residue from either of these.

Inergen and FM200 are both CO2\Argon\Nitogen mixes, from memory FM200 has a slightly high CO2 content that Inergen which is mostly Argon.

Water or Mist systems are going to leave moisture and salt\mineral residue on all your IT boards as well as coating them with wet dust residue from the air as they settle on all the horizontal surfaces. These systems are usually used for Structural Protection not IT.

I have had a site with a Mist System installed and during the commissioning we found that a LOT of moisture is left behind and free water actually accumulated on the floor 1-1.5meters in front of the dicharge system. I will never Install a misting system in a Centre I control except in the Generator Bays. Which the system was originally intended and designed for in the Shipping Industry.

Pre-Action systems require two detections if installed properly so you have less chance of an accidental discharge if a head is damaged or leaking.

My Personal recommendation is to Install an Inergen or FM200 primary or first response system with a Pre-Action system as the system of last resort to preserve the site.

Regards,
Stuart

Appreciate your input and recommendation. At least I can ask them to add a preaction system along with the management's decision of NOVEC.

Everyone has responded very informatively about the subject. But I could not find any demerits of using NOVEC compared to FM200; and also about the HYPOXIC system.

Many have provided very good points but there is one critical aspect that has not been mentioned, equipment support. No gas under pressure will stay forever in a tank. Which products are likely to still be available in your area when you need a refill?

the supplier has limited stock. If the capacity cylinder is not available it takes two to three weeks as lead time.

If the FM 200 system is installed, and provides effective protection, why fix what is not broken. These systems are designed to be sealed, and it is not uncommon to have systems removed with building renovations still fully intact.

Not knowing where your facility is located limits the information needed. Ask some questions. What are other people in similar facilities using, and are they satisfied with their fire protection system? What is the best respected fire protection installation company in your area? What do they recommend? Look up who produces the type of system you think is best for your unique facility? Contact them for their recommendations.

If the data you are storing is valuable, heed the warning about acoustic damage. Invest in noise blankets, mufflers on the discharge nozzles, anything to protect the data you are collecting.

And lastly, what is cost effective for your facility? You do not need a Rolls Royce to deliver pizza.

"And lastly, what is cost effective for your facility? You do not need a Rolls Royce to deliver pizza".

Agree with you. pls note that the mngmt is planning to replacing the existing installed system. It shows the importance or value of the protected area.

Woof! You already have an FM200, and they want something different?!

Recommend they replace it with a sprinkler system, then the f#%k with 'em.

FM200 is still one of the best. I have about 40,000 square feet covered by it. In choosing the proper extinguishing agent, the facility's purpose/usage is largely taken into consideration.

Schneider Electric (no affiliation) has some pretty good info...they own APC, so there's that. They also offer professional certification courses (free) in this area.