BLOWING OFF EXTINGUISHING GAS CAN AFFECT HARD DISKS
Extinguishing
gas installations have been installed on a large scale in DVR, NVR, NAS, Graphic Workstation, computer, IT, data
storage rooms over the past decades. The design of these systems and components
meet the relevant product and system standards, such as EN, ISO, and
NFPA. These installations also meet national laws and regulations and / or
insurance requirements. Recurring inspections and maintenance requirements of the
aforementioned standards ensure the reliable operation of these fire
extinguishing systems throughout their lifespan. The purpose of a fire
extinguishing system in such a room is to quickly detect and extinguish a fire.
The derived objective is to cause the least possible collateral damage and / or
downtime. This ensures continuity and protects data and equipment against
damage.
In recent
years, some failures of hard disks have been known. Disturbances that may
result from blowing off extinguishing gas in the event of a fire or test in the
room concerned. This concerns the corresponding high-frequency noise level. The
problems described relate only to high-pressure systems: Inergas, Argonite,
Inergen, etc. with and without I-Flow technology.
Tests
conducted under the guidance of the European Association in collaboration with
test laboratories and suppliers of hard disks, learn that:
- A sound
pressure level approaching 110 decibels can interrupt the operation of a hard
disk and lead to permanent failure of the hard disk;
- The sound
pressure during the extinguishing of the extinguishing gas when the fire
extinguishing system or acoustic sources (alarms) are activated can influence
the hard disks;
- Although
the phenomenon occurs with all brands of hard disks, there are differences in
the extent of the effect on the different types of hard disks. “Enterprise
class” hard drives were less sensitive to these tests than the “near-line-class”
hard drives.
THE FOLLOWING WAS
NOTED WITH REGARD TO THE EFFECTS:
- The use of
a damper-blow nozzle combination has positive influences;
- The
damper-blow nozzle combination should not be aimed at the hard disk;
- The
distance between the silencer nozzle assembly and the hard disk must be as
large as possible, as permitted within the applicable standards;
- Reducing
noise levels of alarms has positive influences. Mechanical-pneumatic alarms are
more often the cause than electronic alarms. Mechanical-pneumatic alarms are
not used in the Netherlands for extinguishing gas systems in IT rooms (in
contrast to Germany where this is frequently the case);
- Installing
discs in soundproof enclosures reduces observed effects;
- Use
patented software to minimize the tolerance of hard drives.
WHAT NOW:
If there
are concerns about the vulnerability of the hard disk, we recommend a
controlled ‘shut down’ where the hard disks are first switched off before the
extinguishing gas system is activated and with certain functional tests. The
latest generation of Solid State Drives (SSDs) are, due to the lack of
mechanical components, far less susceptible to external influences.
In
addition, the placement of dampers on the blow nozzle or a damper-blow nozzle
combination is recommended. In this case, the manufacturer issues a
substantiated guarantee of the occurring sound pressure at the nozzle during an
extinguishing. If there are very outdated systems or more expensive maintenance
moments (such as inspections of cylinders), replacement with modern systems can
also be a good alternative.
We like to
think along with you to see the possibilities in your situation. Please contact
our Service department by email ssaintegrate@gmail.com.
Of course you can also contact your own account manager, contact person or
project manager.
