Fire Doors for Data Centres
Data centres are the hubs that house the IT equipment necessary for companies and even nationwide online services such as web hosting and servers. Within data centres, information technology operations are managed and stored, and they function as the heart of many modern businesses and organisations. Their ability to operate smoothly is absolutely vital for services to run on a continuous basis, every hour of every day, without interruption or failure.
Data centres are usually very much hidden, despite their crucial role in the effective running of so many services from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and cloud computing to supermarkets and banks. Most people never consider where data might be stored, and as long as data centres and server rooms function correctly, they will never need to. Companies and individuals rely on data centres to avoid failure, so those managing them need to take security and reliability incredibly seriously.
A data centre can be anything from a single room to an entire building dedicated to housing a large IT infrastructure. They are often closely monitored, due to their important role in modern technology, and it is wise to allocate resources to ensure that a data centre is as secure as possible. This includes protection from intruders, proper management of equipment, and reducing the risk of fire.
Because of the concentration of electrical equipment, wires and cables, and the heat that it can all generate, data centres can be at especially high risk of a blaze. Should the worst happen, damage to such specialist equipment can have a devastating impact on both businesses and their customers. Our reliance on such technology means we have little patience when dealing with failure and, if data is not properly backed up, the destruction of equipment can even cause a permanent loss of information.
A vital aspect of fire protection and prevention is the correct use of fire doors. In the event of a blaze, fire doors make sure that the smoke and flames are contained within a small area, allowing people to safely escape and limiting the damage to property. This means that if there is a fire in a building with a data centre, the data and equipment can be protected while the emergency services are called. Even if the fire breaks out in part of a data centre, fire doors mean that the rest of the building can stay free of fire until help arrives.
Server rooms and data centres will also benefit from other fire protection measures, including:
• Carrying out regular fire risk assessments
• Making sure rooms are free of hazards and clutter
• Insisting that packaging materials – such as cardboard boxes – are kept out of the data centre entirely
• Using equipment that automatically shuts down when it starts to overheat
• Regularly checking equipment and cables for damage
• Installing very early smoke detection alarms (VESDA)
• Installing dry sprinkler systems
• Carrying out regular maintenance checks on fire protection systems
Data centres without adequate fire protection risk people’s lives, as well as the loss of information, economic losses, and even serious damage to a company’s reputation. Given the increased risk of a blaze that results from a concentration of electrical equipment, failing to take preventative action could cause a significant loss of confidence among customers. Well-fitted, well-designed fire doors are absolutely essential for the smooth operation of a data centre, regardless of size, and they will make a considerable difference to the safety and security of staff and the equipment these centres hold.
