A Server Administrator's Guide to Fire Protection

More now than ever before, the businesses of today must protect not only their buildings, physical assets, personnel, and the environment, but also the information and technology that lay at the heart of all they do. This makes the event of a server room fire one of the most devastating things that can befall any business. Not only must the company recover from catastrophic damage of facilities, equipment, and the necessity of hardware replacement, but also from a critical loss of time and information, putting its entire business at stake. Clearly, the first concern for any company is fire protection of its IT equipment and server rooms—immediately.

First Step: Prevent Server Room Fires

Of course, the best way to keep your company safe and prosperous is to prevent fires from ever igniting. The leading cause of fires in server room settings is electrical failure in IT equipment and circuits. Always be aware of the condition of all your electrical cords, plugs, outlets, power strips, and run periodic checks on these items. Additionally, never use extension cords and never plug in more than one power strip into any duplex outlet at a time. Avoid plugging in too many cords into a power strip, for this may cause the power strip to overheat and pose a significant risk for fire. Be aware that papers, flammable items, and wastebaskets are often a danger for inflammation, so keep these away from electronics and heat sources. Old wiring can also pose a risk, so make sure your facility is up to electrical code. Consider having your local Fire Marshal perform an inspection of your building--often available free of charge.

Keep your server room for just that: storing your computer servers. Store any flammable items, such as boxes, papers, flammable chemicals and materials and other items in a different room. The more clutter, the more risk for fire. Consider your server room your most valuable resource after personnel, and treat it accordingly.

Second Step: Suppress Fires Quickly and Effectively—Without Further Damage

Fire extinguishing by sprinkler system is the most commonly known method, but this can have a catastrophic effect on the sensitive equipment your fire suppression system is supposed to protect. While water based systems certainly have their place in protecting your business, namely in minimizing structural damage and enabling personnel in the area to safely leave in the event of a fire, a server room needs a different, more sophisticated method of fire protection.

This superior, critical equipment-safe fire protection is best provided by a waterless chemical fire suppressant like the dual-agent gel manufactured by Cease Fire in its newest product, the CFF-800. Cease Fire has been manufacturing its world renowned fire suppressants since 1986, and has gained a world wide reputation for cost-effective, environmentally safe, non-toxic suppressants contained in a truly modular system.

The CFF-800 has a dual agent system for extinguishing the fire quickly (utilizing DuPont's FE-227 gas, a Halon replacement gas which is environmentally safe) and preventing it from igniting again (with its proprietary blend of ABC powder), all while leaving no harmful residue once the fire is stopped. The powder covering the area is completely safe for your equipment, computers, electrical equipment, and cleans easily and safely. Best of all, there's no water damage!

Install the Cease Fire line of Fire Suppression units and rest easy, knowing the heart of your business is protected from fire, smoke, and water.

Check out our Fire Detection and Passive Fire Protection systems!