Fire suppression systems for server rooms and data centres

Fire suppression systems for server rooms and data centres Fire suppression systems for server rooms and data centres Fire suppression systems for server rooms and data centres are essential to the server room itself. A fire suppression system will automatically extinguish a fire without the need of human intervention. Fire suppression systems for data centres must be suitable for clean air environments, as server rooms and data centres are mostly occupied by personnel. The designs standards for Fire suppression systems for server rooms and data centres are carried out with strict guidelines, as the fire suppression agents used can be dangerous if not designed correctly. Fires within these types of environments are suppressed in two different ways:- Method 1 - Inert gas fire suppression systems for server room and Data Centres - Reduce Oxygen This method uses Argon/Nitrogen and sometimes a small element of CO2 to displace the oxygen in the server room. The basis of this method is to reduce the oxygen level to below 15%. By reducing oxygen to this level it will suppress a fire. The design must also consider the safety of personnel and keep oxygen levels to above 12%, this will be sufficient to maintain life within an oxygen depleted environment. Inert gas fire suppression systems will discharge its payload within 1-2 minutes Will generally have more cylinders than chemical gases Work with higher pressures, 200 Bar or 300 Bar Will require Pressure relief venting Common names of gases, ProInert, IG55, IG541, Argonite and INERGEN INERGEN fire suppression systems - IG541. This gas is a mix of 50 Argon, 42% Nitrogen and 8% CO2. Reduces oxygen levels to between 12-14% PROINERT fire suppression systems - Low pressure IG55. This gas is a mix of 50 Argon, 50% Nitrogen. Reduces oxygen levels to between 12-14% IG55 fire suppression systems. This gas is a mix of 50 Argon, 50% Reduces oxygen levels to between 12-14% 1

Method 2 - Chemical/Synthetic gas fire suppression systems for server room and Data Centres - based on cooling Most Chemical/Synthetic fire suppression agents have some form of cooling mechanism. These systems generally use less gas and do not significantly reduce oxygen levels. However, as any synthetic or chemical agent, high doses can be toxic, therefor correct designs are absolutely necessary. Synthetic fire suppression systems will deliver its payload within 10 seconds Will less cylinders and in some cases the cylinders are larger than inert gas cylinders Low pressures are used only 25 Bar and 42 Bar Will require pressure relief venting for both negative and positive pressures during discharge Common names for synthetic agents are FM200, Halon, Novec1230, Ecaro, HFC227ea and HFC125 FM200 fire suppression systems - HFC227ea. Concentration levels of 7.9% - 8.5% :- Works by Reducing/Absorbing heat. Novec 1230 fire suppression systems - FK-5-1-12. Concentration levels of 5.3% - 5.6% :- Works by Reducing/Absorbing heat. Sapphire fire suppression systems - FK-5-1-12. Concentration levels of 5.3% - 5.6% :- Works by Reducing/Absorbing heat. also known as Novec 1230 A typical server room will require :- Fire Suppression Control Panel A Fire suppression control panel, this is generally made up of two to three fire zones, a gas release button, Auto and Manual key switch and built in batter backup (for power failures) Smoke Detection A minimum of two smoke detectors, irrelative of the room size. Smoke detectors must be located in all voids, i.e. room, ceiling and floor voids Audible Alarms Bells and Souders, these will indicate an audible alarm for fire which has been detected in the room and alarm warning of an imminent fire suppression gas release Warning Signs:- Warning signs on doors that you are about to enter a fire suppression controlled area Warning signs showing manual gas release points Pressure relief 2

Pressure relief venting to compensate for both negative and positive pressures during a gas discharge. What is INERGEN fire suppression system? Inergen fire suppression is a blend of naturally occurring gases; Nitrogen, Argon, & a small amount of carbon dioxide. The Inergen is made up of all these gas with a blend mix consisting of Argon 50%,Nitrogen 42% and CO2 8% The benefits INERGEN is a highly effective fire suppression system for extinguishing fire & preventing re-ignition with no risk to people or damage to equipment if engineered and installed by a qualified fire suppression systems installation company. The INERGEN fire suppression also has no adverse affect on the ozone layer as it is completely made up of naturally occurring gases. INERGEN fire suppression systems also have a zero global warming potential, & no atmospheric lifetime An INERGEN system is certified as a safe and clean fire suppression system for occupied spaces Medically evaluated by leading authorities around the world, the blend of INERT gases maintains normal blood-oxygen levels, thereby ensuring heart rate & mental performance remain optimal to ensure a safe escape during or after a fire suppression system discharge. Unlike many other suppression systems which need to be located close to the protected area, INERGEN can be stored up to further away, & as it is organic in structure it is not subject to time use limiting restrictions. INERGEN fire suppression is stored & discharged as a gas, when the fire suppression system discharges the INERGEN gas, it is clear, insuring a safe & visually un-obscured exit. Suitable Environments for and INERGEN fire suppression system Laboratories Telecommunication rooms Computer & server environments Control rooms Archives Traditional Inert gas fire suppression systems Inert gas fire suppression systems normally discharge at high pressures. The storage pressure within the cylinder is 300 bar. This pressure is then reduced to a more sensible 60/70 bar via a pressure reducing device that sits in the manifold. ProInert Fire Suppression systems Fire Suppression Limited, support the new Fike fire protection ProInert constant flow IG55 fire 3

suppression system. Fike's revoutionary constant flow valve, allows pressure to be regulated at a constant flow rate. This means that the is no surging pressure that will contribute to adversly affecting the structure of the protected environment. There are other advantages too! With a constant flow system, pressure relief venting is kept to a minimum, as these devices are calculated at the peak pressure. There is only one peak pressure with the constant flow fire suppression system and that is around 42 bar. ProInert fire suppression Systems are ideal for the following risks:- Computer Rooms Data Centres Museums Archive Storage Computer/Operation Rooms Control Rooms Military Installations Pharmaceutical applications Control Rooms Libraries Substation Control Rooms Switch Rooms Telecom Art Galleries Flexibility and Distribution of fire suppression agent Inert Gas Fire Suppression are ideal for having a single location for central bank cylinder storage facility. This means that fewer cylinders are needed and the installation costs are reduced. The flexibility of design with Inert gas fire suppression systems allow distribution of INERT gas to multiple voids. Distribution values are used to direct the gas to where it is required. These valves are either electrically operated or pneumatically operated devices. Pressure Relief Vents Pressure relief vents allow the INERT gas to fill the room without inducing too much pressure on the structure of the enclosure. Due to the lower discharge pressures induced by the ProInert fire suppression system, this means fewer vents are required. 4

IG55 Argon/Nitrogen 50/50 - Inert Gas Fire Suppression Naturally occurring Gases often used as blends, these blends are used to reduce oxygen to below 15% and above 12%. Oxygen levels below 15% will not allow a fire to burn as the oxygen is simply not there to fuel the fire. Levels of Oxygen between 12% and 15% is adequate to sustain human life. Oxygen levels between 12% and 10% will show visible signs of effects asphyxiation Oxygen levels below 10% are extremely dangerous. This type of fire suppression is considered a green option and does have many advantages used in the right application. Inert Gas Fire Suppression systems are commonly found with the following blends and names: IG55 Fire Suppression This is a blend of 50% Argon & 50% Blend of Nitrogen. The fire suppression gas is blended to offer better buoyancy for the fire suppression agent keeping the fire suppression gas at higher levels in the protected enclosure for longer! Suitable environments DATA Centres Comms Rooms Telecommunication facilities UPS Rooms Medical facilities FM200 Fire Suppression is a suitable agent for normally occupied spaces. FM200 fire suppression systems are commonly used in: DATA Centres Comms Rooms Telecommunication facilities UPS Rooms Medical facilities What is FM200 Fire Suppression? FM200 fire suppression is also known as HFC227ea. FM200 is a waterless fire protection system, it is discharged into the risk within 10 seconds and suppresses the fire immediately. How safe is FM200? FM200 fire suppression is found as an active compound as a propellant in medical inhalers. This is goes without saying that FM200 gas is extremely safe for occupied spaces with the correct fire suppression design. How does FM200 work? There is a common misconception that FM200 gas reduces oxygen this is not true! FM200 is a synthetic/chemical fire suppression gas and extinguishes a fire by removing the free radicals or heat elements from the fire triangle. (Oxygen, Heat and Fuel). 5

The typical concentration of an FM200 system is normally between 7.9% to 8.5%. This concentration is determined by the risk that is being protected and by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and the ISO14520 standards for fire suppression systems. What are the advantages of an FM200 fire suppression system? The main advantage of FM200 fire suppression, is the small amount of agent required to suppress a fire. This means fewer cylinders, therefore less wasted space for storage of FM200 cylinders. FM200 systems reach extinguishing levels in 10 seconds or less, stopping ordinary combustible, electrical, and flammable liquid fires before they cause significant damage. FM200 extinguishes the fire quickly, which means less damage, lower repair costs. Like any other fire suppression system, FM200 systems are designed with an extra margin of safety for people. Refilling FM200 is simple and cost effective, therefore, it also means less downtime and disruption to your business. FM200 is classed as a clean agent which means that it is safe to use within occupied spaces. The safety of FM200 fire suppression environments is proven in over a decade of real-world experience and validated by extensive scientific studies. FM200 systems take up less storage space than most other fire suppressants. In addition to the fire protection benefits of using FM200, the environment will benefit as well. FM200 fire suppressant does not deplete stratospheric ozone, and has minimal impact on the environment relative to the impact a catastrophic fire would have. FM200 fire suppression is a solution that is already working in more than 100 thousand applications, in more than 70 nations around the world. How can Fire Suppression Limited help you? Fire suppression Limited offer both pre-engineered FM200 fire suppression systems which require little or no distribution pipe, and engineered FM200 fire protection systems tailored made/designed for its application. We have our own FM200 filling plant based in our head offices in Bristol. We offer full technical design on FM200 systems and we can provide a quotation within 4 hours from your enquiry. What is Novec1230? Novec1230 is a synthetic, non conductive anti fire system designed as the modern and more environmentally friendly alternative to FM200. The benefits The gas extinguishes via its cooling effect, and as it is liquid at room temperature it makes handling, shipping, & system maintenance much easier that its Halon predecessor. It has zero ozone depletion potential & an extremely low global warming potential in that it has an atmospheric lifetime of just 5 days as opposed to its nearest Halocarbon alternative with a lifetime of 33 years. It can be used for both streaming & flooding applications & has been designed for special hazards fire protection. Novec has a very low use concentration in that the amount required for effective suppression is around 5.3%-5.6% of the volume of the target area to be protected. 6

This means our Novec systems have one of the smallest system storage footprints of any of our fire suppression systems. 3M's Novec 1230 Blue Sky Warranty Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid doesn't just put out fires. With the new 3M Blue SkySM Warranty, it also puts your mind at ease. If 3M's Novec1230 Fire Protection Fluid is banned from or restricted in use as a fire protection agent due to ODP, or GWP, 3M will refund the purchase price of the Novec 1230 fluid. That's a promise and performance you can take to the bank! Suitable environments DATA Centres Comms Rooms Telecommunication facilities UPS Rooms Medical facilities Sapphire - Also known as Novec 1230 fire suppression? Novec1230 gas is synthetic/chemical fire suppression gas/agent. Novec1230 is a waterless fire suppressant and extinguishes a fire by removing the free radicals or heat element of the fire triangle (Oxygen, Heat and Fuel). The concentration of Novec 1230 is typically between 5.3% to 5.6% of the room volume. Novec1230 in its natural state, looks and feels like water. Novec is a non conductive liquid that has some surprise characteristics. Often Novec is exhibited by filling a fish tank with the Novec fire suppression agent, then inserting a computer screen within the liquid switch on. Mobile phones can be placed within the liquid and will operate as normal. Novec 1230 boils at 48 degrees Celsius and vaporizes in the fire suppression delivery when discharged. Typical Novec1230 fire suppression Applications DATA Centres Comms Rooms Telecommunication facilities UPS Rooms Medical facilities How safe is Novec1230 Fire Suppression gas? Novec 1230 is classed as a clean agent which means that it is safe to use within occupied spaces. It does not reduce oxygen and uses very small concentrations by volume. How does Novec 1230 work? NOVEC 1230 DOES NOT Remove or reduce Oxygen! NOVEC 1230 is a synthetic/chemical fire suppression gas and extinguishes a fire by removing the free radicals or heat elements from the fire triangle. (Oxygen, Heat and Fuel). The concentration of Novec 1230 is typically between 5.3% to 5.6% of the room volume. Novec1230 7

is discharged into the risk between 6 and 10 seconds. What are the advantages of a Novec 1230 fire suppression system? Due to the low concentration levels of Novec1230 fire suppression, means that less Novec cylinders and less space is required, making the storage footprint for the fire suppression agent very small. Novec 1230 offers significant atmospheric advantages over it synthetic rivals. Novec1230 is considered as a green gas and posses no threat to both the Ozone Layer and offers Novec does not fall into the Kyoto protocol for global warming gases. Novec 1230 fluid has zero ozone depletion potential and the lowest atmospheric lifetime for halocarbon alternatives: Novec 1230 has an atmospheric lifetime of only 5 days Novec 1230 has a Global Warming Potential of 1 Novec 1230 fluid has the greatest margin of safety for use in occupied spaces It makes good business sense to use Novec 1230 fluid because it is a sustainable, long-term technology. Not only does Novec 1230 fluid meet today's regulations, but it meets those of the foreseeable future. How can Fire Suppression Limited help you? Fire suppression Limited offer both pre-engineered Novec 1230 fire suppression systems which require little or no distribution pipe, and engineered Novec 1230 fire protection systems tailored made/designed for its application. We have our own FM200 filling plant based in our head offices in Bristol. We offer full technical design on Novec 1230 systems and we can provide a quotation within 4 hours from your enquiry 8