Data center protection is critical for many reasons: most data centers are a hodgepodge of electrical components, wires, cables, generators and back-up power supplies, making them a high fire risk for multiple issues. Not to mention the fact that all the data that is being stored there is most likely highly sensitive and important to maintain and protect. Having stellar fire protection is key to keeping everything in a data center safe and secure. Here at Premier Fire Alarm Systems, we offer a wide range of security and safety systems to help your business run smoothly without having to worry about external threats. Located in Miami-Dade County, Florida, we’ve been serving the commercial community for over twenty years.
Fire Standards
There are two standards for every data center that are key to maintaining safety, and they are NFPA 75 and 76. NFPA 75 is the Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment, which is the minimum requirement of your data center to pass national building code requirements and pass inspection. This includes having a fire sprinkler system installed, and that these sprinkler systems cover all areas of contained aisles. You will also need an evacuation plan, as well as functioning smoke detection systems, and flame-resistant equipment. NFPA 76 is the Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities, and contains many of the same requirements as NFPA 75, but is geared more towards telecommunication companies that provide data, telephone, wireless, internet transmission and video services to the public.
3 Levels of Fire Protection
Providing adequate and secure protection against a fire in a data center is dependent on three levels of security: the building level, the room level and the rack level. The first level, the building level, is the most basic requirement as it’s focused on keeping the building and the people inside of it safe. Methods used for building-level protection include handheld fire extinguishers, with one at least every 3,000 square feet, fire sprinkler systems, and passive protection against fires, which includes the installation of fire-rated floor assemblies and firewalls. The second or room level protection involves more of the NFPA standards, including one of these extensive fire sprinkler systems: a wet sprinkler system, a pre-action sprinkler system or a clean agent suppression system. The first two sprinkler systems use water to put out the fire, which isn’t ideal for a data center, but safety is the top priority. The clean agent system uses an inert gas or clean agent to put out a fire, making it safer for the data inside the building. The third level, or the rack level, is more concerned with protection of the equipment. By implementing this rack-level protection, data centers can extinguish fires at their earliest stages, preventing huge amounts of data loss and minimizing the potential for a larger fire to spread.
An Added Layer Of Protection
The Bi-Directional Amplifier, or BDA System, receives a signal from the donor antenna and amplifies this signal inside the building. It can also receive transmitting signals from handheld devices inside the building and sends them out through the donor antenna, to a communications tower. This system can help your data center get the outside help it needs to minimize any further fire damage and protect the people and data inside.
Contact Us
Ready to ensure your building is fire standard and level compliant for your data center? Premier Fire Alarm Systems in Miami-Dade County can help. With over twenty years of fire protection experience, we know what your company and building needs in order to keep everyone and everything safe. Call us today!