Fire suppression systems Full aisle containment and cooling
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This document discusses fire suppression systems in data centers and the challenges of implementing full cold aisle containment. It notes that while containment improves efficiency, standards like NFPA 75-76 require fire suppression systems to be modified or extended into aisles to remove obstructions. Existing solutions like fusible links or mechanical systems have been outlawed, creating a problem. The document proposes an "interactive solution" that meets NFPA standards, allows roof panels to pivot open without dropping, is testable, retrofittable, flexible and scalable. A video from Dataracks demonstrates an "active roof" system that could address this need.
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Similar to Fire suppression systems Full aisle containment and cooling
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Fire suppression systems Full aisle containment and cooling
- 1. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Fire suppression systems Full aisle containment and cooling Does fire suppression really stop you implementing containment solutions?
- 2. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 About Dataracks... •Established 1989. •Specialise in server and network cabinets and accessories. •Pioneered Cold Aisle Containment and introduced it to the data centre industry in 2007. •Improved data centre efficiency through bespoke and customised Cold/Hot Aisle Containment. •Research and development of fire suppression in data centres since 2011. 1989 2007 2011 today
- 3. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 The benefits of full containment on energy efficiency and cooling are well known.
- 4. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 The ideal full aisle containment Standard aisle configuration Cold aisle containment
- 5. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 So what’s the problem?
- 6. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 29 31 ° 29 ° Roof space temperatures 30 25 20 15 A11 – A12 High population A13 – A14 Low population 22 ° to 29 ° End of row temperatures Results of tests undertaken by Dataracks Oversupply and overcooling test at
- 7. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 What is the answer?
- 8. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Benefits Full Cold Aisle Containment (CAC) • Compliance to EU Code of Conduct • Eliminate bypass air • Control inlet temperature • Reduce energy costs • Reduce carbon footprint • Allows set points to be raised • Compliance to ASHRAE Class A2
- 9. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Why aren’t I implementing full cold aisle containment? Maybe the reason is...
- 10. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 A lack of Standards, Definitions and Best Practices in UK and Europe
- 11. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 What is the risk of not getting fire suppression right?
- 12. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Fire officer graphic Risk to life!
- 13. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Impact of fire on business continuity
- 14. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Cost of interruption by fire: revenue loss per hour
- 15. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Suppression versus extinguishing What are the options?
- 16. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 • Water deluge (1D) • Water mist (2D) • Inert gas (3D) • Chemical clean agent (3D)
- 17. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Whatever solution you choose, you need to consider what will impinge on the original design.
- 18. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 National Fire Protection Agency NFPA 75-76
- 19. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 NFPA 75-76 states: Key section 8.2.3: “...fire detection should be based upon smoke detection, thermo/thermo-mechanical devices should not be used and automatic removal of obstructions interfering with the delivery of fire suppressants is required unless such systems have been duly modified and extended into the aisle...” Assume risk assessment has been done at outset of data centre design but has been revised as server rooms alter.
- 20. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 1. “removal of obstructions interfering with the delivery of fire suppressants”
- 21. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Solutions to remove obstructions e.g. roof panels and PVC curtains: • Thermal-fusible links/supports • Electro-mechanical solutions • Mechanical solutions • Automatic
- 22. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 These solutions now have been outlawed by NFPA – this presents a new problem.
- 23. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 2. “unless such systems have been duly modified and extended into the aisle”
- 24. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 These problems include… •Impeded entry or exit of personnel •Reduced/restricted delivery of suppressants •High cost •Recalculation of pipework and volume of stored suppressants •Risks while the system is not operational
- 25. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 I need an Interactive solution that meets NFPA’s standards Plus…
- 26. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 • Links to alarm system or detection • Fail safe • Allows roof panel to pivot open – not drop • Testable • Retrofitable • Flexible • Scalable
- 27. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 If only...
- 28. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Dataracks Active roof video http://vimeo.com/dataracks/activeroof
- 29. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014
- 30. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 Thanks for your attention
- 31. All rights reserved by © Dataracks 2014 www.dataracks.co.uk
Editor's Notes
- But fires are happening … we have to count with it.
- It’s not just Money Have you taken into consideration? Loss of productivity and reputation The value of your data or your customer’s data, a dissatisfied customer may go elsewhere. The value and how critical the service is (mission critical) The need for Business Continuity The time to recover service, repairs Lawsuits If you don’t “how much restful sleep can I expect until the DC is back online”
- Acoustic and over pressure effecting Barometrics (hearing) Permeation due to temp ,high and low can have an effect Pressure relieve and gas evacuation Structural pressure on building (239 pa or 5 psf), IBC Surface proximity, close objects can potentially effect permeation Restoration of services Vibration effect on hard drives and storage devises Storage, high and low pressure cylinders Delivery of suppressant to fire and site. Environment Damage to rooms and enclosures Room integrity (potential for damage) Initial cost Cost to change Nozzle placement and head height, for correct disbursement Proximity of obstruction (door, cable tray, ducting etc.) Atomisation- space/ temperature effect Visibility Propagation (flooding) Storage Delivery of fire suppressant to fire and site Environment Type of nozzles Initial cost and cost to change Effect on hard drives and storage devises No Presure relive issues (13) Acoustic and under pressure effecting Barometrics (hearing) Permeation due to temp ,high and low Pressure relieve and gas evacuation Structural pressure on building (239 pa or 5 psf), IBC Surface proximity, close objects can potentially effect permeation Restoration of services Vibration effect on hard drives and storage devises Storage space Delivery of suppressant to fire and site. Environment Damage to rooms and enclosures Room integrity (potential for damage) Initial cost and cost to change
- “-I will concentrate on aisle containment and US Standard-” Room changes, Volume , installation of racks , Temperature. Particularly with raising return temperatures (thermal sensitive bulbs or fusible links) Floor grills, dampers in grills (raised floor only) restricting airflow. And if you are relying on the underfloor suppression to enter the cold aisle. This could be restricted and not meet design specifications of suppression discharge times. Cooling and in particular airflow In row cooling. In particular In-row with containment of cold and hot aisle. Proven that In-row works better with containment. containment, Cold and hot aisle
- “PVC produces large quantises of harmful smoke and gases. On that basis, we recommend against the use of PVC material” principle Engineer, HSB professional Loss Control.
- Close proximity of panels Tampering Dispersant pattern may be effected Damage to sprinklers and nozzles at low height Lack of flexibility Restoration of services
- NFPA: Active solutions automatically removes obstructions to the delivery of fire suppressants Removes the need to extend suppressant systems into the aisle testable fault monitoring failsafe retrofitable flexible Scalable No impact on egress or ingress, either fire suppressant or personnel. Easy to reset, after test or discharge. Resumption of services and business continuity Low cost (typically £8000 for an 8 metre aisle, a good solution) Additions and changes are then lower. Increased the speed of getting service back online Increased recover to SLA Zoned or complete delivery of suppressants Speed of installation Non evasive of alarm panel Power draw (particularly on a UPS) Potential for pressure relieve