Data Center Design by ARISTOS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Fire Suppression
There is no one "correct" solution for a data center. The liabilities if something unpredictable happens in a fire are just too high.
Aristos can provide you with the pros and cons of the different approaches and help you decide based on business risks, budget, local codes and insurance requirements.
Water protects buildings and people. In most jurisdictions, it's required by code whether you have something sophisticated or not. And if it's not required, your management -- and probably your insurer -- will want you to put it in anyway simply to avoid liability. The real question here is one of cost.
"Dry pipe, pre-action" sprinklers avoid the risk of having pipes full of water running above your equipment, as well as the risk of a sprinkler head leaking or breaking, especially when no one is around. But in a small data center, it can be difficult to cost-justify pre-action, both in dollars and in the space for the valves and controls.
Inert gas systems are designed to protect equipment. They react more quickly than sprinkler heads, which don't open until flames have actually raised the temperature enough to open them. Inert gas actually gets into the cabinets and equipment and either absorbs the heat or deprives the fire of oxygen, depending on the product used. If the gas puts out the fire at the source before it spreads, it also protects people and the structure.
Inert gas systems are designed to protect equipment. They react more quickly than sprinkler heads, which don't open until flames have actually raised the temperature enough to open them. Inert gas actually gets into the cabinets and equipment and either absorbs the heat or deprives the fire of oxygen, depending on the product used. If the gas puts out the fire at the source before it spreads, it also protects people and the structure.
Code authorities are concerned about what happens if the fire does not go out, or if it reignites after the gas has been dumped. There can be requirement for sprinklers no matter what else you may have -- even if you have "reserve tanks" of suppressant.
The hidden cost in an inert gas solution is the construction to seal the room. Every duct going through the room must have automatic fire dampers. There must be alarms, automatic shutdowns of power and air conditioners, control systems with smoke detectors and enunciator panels, etc. Even the ceiling tiles must be clipped down to keep them from being blown out by the force of the gas release.
In short, there is no correct solution. Aristos International will help educate you regarding the options so you can decide what's best for your application and your budget.
The hidden cost in an inert gas solution is the construction to seal the room. Every duct going through the room must have automatic fire dampers. There must be alarms, automatic shutdowns of power and air conditioners, control systems with smoke detectors and enunciator panels, etc. Even the ceiling tiles must be clipped down to keep them from being blown out by the force of the gas release.
In short, there is no correct solution. Aristos International will help educate you regarding the options so you can decide what's best for your application and your budget.