Is your data center protected from fire? Our experts dive into this specialty area of Fire & Life Safety with a breakdown of Jacksonville data center fire suppression strategies.

A fire in your data center could wreak havoc on your business, and although data center fires are not common, they’re not out of the question either. 

According to a study by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, up to 93% of companies facing data center disruptions lasting 10 days or longer due to a disaster end up filing for bankruptcy within one year.

Proper cooling equipment mitigates the heat produced from all those humming machines, but where there’s heat…well, you know. Knowing the importance of early fire detection for data centers can help you find the right Jacksonville data center fire suppression partner. (Hint: it’s us!)

Safety Strategy Pillars

The four elements of a robust data center fire safety strategy include mitigation, detection, suppression, and recovery. Mitigation is another way to say prevention, so let’s think of ways we can prevent a fire from starting. Good rules of thumb include keeping unnecessary flammable materials out of your data center (never use your data center for storage) and using infrared thermal imaging to detect loose connections (which is how many data center fires start). 

Simple strategies like these can lower the fire risk, but it’s never zero. This is where early detection comes in.

Early Detection Systems

Second to preventing a fire altogether is detecting a fire as early as possible. Early detection limits damage and can save your business time and money. How do we implement early detection systems in data centers?

Automatic Spot-Type Detectors

Automatic spot-type detectors are the most commonly used Early Warning Smoke Detectors (EWSDs), available in ionization and photoelectric variations. These passive detectors, typically mounted on ceilings, rely heavily on strong airflow for optimal performance. 

On the other hand, duct detectors are installed in the supply and return ducts of HVAC systems to prevent the spread of smoke by activating control mechanisms such as fans and dampers. Upon detecting combustion particles, they send a supervisory alarm to the fire alarm panel, prompting it to shut down the air handling unit. 

Aspirating Systems 

Aspirating systems excel in early detection, surpassing standard detectors with their superior capabilities. Functioning as active Very Early Warning Smoke Detectors (VEWSD), these systems continuously sample air particles to detect visible or invisible smoke. 

Featuring a network of pipes, an aspirating fan, and a highly sensitive detector, they operate autonomously from room airflow, minimizing accidental discharge rates. Aspirating systems are perfectly suited for environments prioritizing early detection, such as data centers and high-tech communication facilities.

The ability to identify smoke promptly enables swift response, mitigating potential damage. Aspirating systems, known as the most cost-effective element of fire control systems, offer essential early detection capabilities.

Data Center Fire Suppression

The third pillar in your data center fire safety strategy is suppression. If there is a fire, what’s the best way to put it out quickly with minimal damage? Water and gas are the most common fire suppression systems used in data centers.

Water Fire Suppression

Many data centers opt for dry-pipe, preaction, or dual-interlocked designs to prevent damage from leaks and malfunctions. In these systems, pipes are pressurized with compressed air or nitrogen to prevent rust and can detect leaks before water escapes. Water enters the system and activates the sprinklers only when two separate detectors detect a fire or other triggering event and subsequently sound an alarm.

Another alternative is a fog mist system, which disperses water in tiny droplets to remove heat without causing harm to equipment. This mist can penetrate cabinets and suppress smoke, but its use as a substitute for sprinklers depends on local codes.

Gas Fire Suppression

Gas-based fire suppression systems are either clean agent or inert gas systems. Clean agent systems disrupt the fire triangle by removing heat, while inert gas systems reduce oxygen levels to extinguish fires while maintaining breathable air. 

For gaseous systems to function effectively, the space must be airtight, with all door, floor, and ceiling openings sealed. The gases utilized are odorless, non-toxic, non-corrosive, electronically non-conductive, and environmentally friendly.

Integrated Fire Suppression Systems

Many jurisdictions mandate water-based fire extinguishing systems, while gaseous systems are often preferred for computer room equipment protection. Your data center may need to be equipped with both types to meet both requirements; we will check with your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to confirm. If the gas system fails to suppress the fire, the sprinkler system serves as the backup extinguisher.

Code Compliance

Our Jacksonville data center fire suppression team will design, install, and maintain your fire suppression system according to the NFPA codes that are specific to data centers. These include:

• NFPA 10: The standard for portable fire extinguishers mandates their installation to preserve fixed systems and resources, recommending hand-held, clean agent extinguishers for effective suppression.
• NFPA 25: The standard for inspection, maintenance, and testing of water-based fire protection systems delineates the testing frequency for components such as water flow switches and control valves.
• NFPA 72: The National Fire Alarm Code outlines detection system spacing and installation requirements, including manual pull station placement and alarm panel functions.
• NFPA 75: The standard for protection of information technology equipment governs data center construction, including fire protection and detection, HVAC, and power supply requirements.
• NFPA 76: The standard for fire protection of telecommunications facilities regulates fire safety in public telecommunications services facilities.

Data Center Recovery

Data recovery is the final pillar in a comprehensive data center fire safety strategy. Data center downtime is expensive. Complete recovery from hardware shutdowns can take days, and the need to source and configure replacement equipment adds to the delay. 

While water damage can create a mess, it’s not necessarily harmful if it avoids hardware; however, smoke cleanup poses significant challenges. To mitigate these risks, focus on preventing fires, implementing early warning systems, and ensuring swift response capabilities, especially during off-hours. Contact our Jacksonville data center fire suppression team to see how we can use early detection technology to protect your hardware and your business.