Key points:
- Why data center development is on the rise in Colorado.
- Why fire watch is immediate and continuous for server rooms.
- The increased fire risks of IT centers and server rooms.
Mass data center development is underway in Colorado and around the nation. Large-scale facilities are essential for keeping up with the growing demand for processing generative AI. Even with robust fire detection systems, these facilities are high-risk. When fire safety and suppression systems go down, data center fire watch must be dispatched immediately.
Data centers must dispatch fire watch immediately when their fire alarm, sprinkler, or suppression system goes down. Monitoring must be continuous until the server rooms’ NFPA 75-compliant system is fully operational. Most centers have certified fire monitors on staff, but may need to dispatch a third-party for compliant patrols, hot work monitoring, and monitoring of the electrical board.
NFPA 75-Compliant Data Center Requirements
Small IT rooms and data centers must install advanced fire safety and suppression systems that include:
- Advanced detection: Sensors that detect high heat, smoke, spark, and gas in the room, subfloor, and ceiling.
- Automated suppression: Activates increased cooling or fire suppression without human intervention.
- Aspirating smoke detectors: These intelligent detectors detect small particles of smoke or combustion faster than standard detectors.
- Oxygen reduction systems (ORS): Also referred to as hypoxic air systems, these preventative systems reduce the oxygen in the air by around 15%. This all but eliminates the ability for fire to ignite.
- Automatic dispatch: The fire alarm and detection system must automatically sound building fire alarms and dispatch DFD.
- Optional artificial intelligence: As AI advances, many facilities implement preventative tools that go above and beyond regulatory compliance.
Unique Fire Risks in Server Rooms
Even small IT rooms present increased fire and explosion risk for the building and community. Fighting electrical room and battery room fires requires FM-200, Novec 1230, or a similar clean agent system. These systems dispense colorless and odorless gas to control electrical heat and fire.
1. High Heat
Server rooms contain concentrated rows and racks of servers. Specialized ventilation and temperature control are built in to prevent extremely high heat. This includes aisle containment to optimize cooling and raised subfloors that store cables and optimize cool air distribution.
2. Accelerated Spread
Gas, smoke, and fire can spread quickly through the ceilings and raised subfloors. Creating a series of contained rooms minimizes risk and equipment loss if one room malfunctions.
3. Heavy Electrical Load
Before receiving an initial building permit, facilities must map out complex electrical systems that support their heavy electrical load. Plans must exceed minimum requirements by 25% to account for future growth. These systems must be meticulously maintained as they run 24/7.
Read More:
- Server Room Fire Watch
- How Fire Watch Differs in Denver’s Historic Buildings
- How Your Wildfire Risk Score Impacts Colorado Fire Watch Requirements
- Spring and Summer Fire Hazards in Denver
- Colorado’s New Defensible Space Zones
4. Battery Rooms and UPS Systems
To promote continuous power, facilities store power in lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (ESS). These Uninterruptible Power Supply Units (UPS) must contain chemical suppression, off-gassing sensors, and advanced cooling.
5. Site-Specific Fire Risks
In addition to standard fire codes, large IT facilities require site-specific and performance-based protocols. This includes EV charging station compliance. Facilities in areas at a higher risk for wildfire may have more stringent fires safety protocols.
Data Center Fire Watchers in Denver and Colorado Springs
Scout Security works as your third-party partner anytime the safety systems above go down. We understand that you have certified personnel on staff. Our role is to fill staffing gaps and work with your team providing added coverage.
Book now, or add us to your emergency contact list!
