Do you think it's time to think about a new fire suppression system? Putting in a new your archaic Halon system? Or, perhaps adding on to your archaic system? This can be a somewhat intimidating undertaking. Recently, fire suppression systems come in a plethora of chemical compounds, an array of both basic and complicated notification devices, and a variety of sizes. I will introduce you to the many exciting changes passed by the National Fire Protection Association, due in large part to innovative companies on the hunt for smarter and simpler ways to protect computers and other electronic equipment.

Innovation is usually the result of changes in the way business is conducted. Reasons why innovative and innovative fire suppression systems are currently being developed include the following: Water sprinkler systems' tendency to causeexpensive destruction to a computer environment; archaic fire suppression systems may not be environmentally conscious; today's computer server environment is much more compressed. A large increase in storage capacity alone has allowed a large decrease in the amount of space required to house computer equipment, telecommunications, and server equipment; archaic systems and subsequent technologies may be too cost-prohibitive to acquire and install.

The number of smaller companies has increased throughout the world, dictating a change in the way we protect our essential data and equipment. A significant number of companies lease space in office complexes. Over ninety percent of companies that lease space find it too financially daunting to acquire and install most systems. And, most companies do not want to install a system that becomes a permanent fixture which cannot be removed when a lease expires, more space is required, or a corporation needs to increase its volume or downsize.

Now there is a way to replace archaic fire suppression systems, update existing equipment, replace sprinkler heads, and acquire the peace of mind you need for your critical data and computer systems. Now you can increase or decrease a fire suppression system without a major expense. New systems can be uninstalled and reinstalled because they are not permanent fixtures. Your investment can go with you just like your data center or server room equipment.

The growth of fire detection and suppression systems has been dramatic. There are fire suppression agents that are unhealthy when inhaled and those that are certified "green." You can choose from a clean agent gas, water or aerosol. Some systems require a floating floor and significant space to reside, while others mount on available wall space.

There are systems that require little cleaning (the clean agent gasses), and those that need a whole cleaning crew and a few days worth of elbow grease. That leads to - you guessed it - server down time. From small to extensive, in the case of even the most miniscule fire, some systems can leave you twiddling your thumbs until you are back in business.

Next step - recharging your fire suppression system, and the time and pricing associated with that process.

I hope to simplify things here. I have been advising companies on computer room fire suppression for many years. This first hand experience of selling fire suppression system solutions for most size rooms and enclosures has shown many companies the strengths of utilizing newer technology when protecting valuable assets.

Let's start by summarizing the benefits of each type of automatic fire suppression system used in most data centers, NOCs and server rooms today. Then, I'll get into details that you will want to consider before choosing fire suppression equipment and a fire suppression company.

First, Understand the areas of Fires You Could Encounter

The National Fire Insurance Association has classified fires into four areas, determined by the materials or fuel being burned:

Type A: Fires with combustible materials as its cause, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics

Type B: Fires in flammable liquids, oils, greases, tars, oil-base paints, lacquers, and flammable gases

Type C: Fires that involve electrical equipment

Type D: Fires with ignitable metals as its fuel cause In a typical server room fire, a combination of areas A, B and C can be found. An effective fire suppression system will be rated for all three areas.

Often the cause of a fire in a server room is not detected until after the fire has been extinguished. Therefore, installing a system that can handle A, B & C areas is a safeguard against an unexpected catastrophe.

Substances Used in Fire Suppression: Gas, Water and Aerosol

1. Gaseous or Clean Agent Fire Suppression

Gases used in fire suppression systems are often Halon, CO2 or environmentally-friendly clean agents such as Inergen®. These gases do not extinguish a fire by smothering it, but rather by displacing oxygen or inhibiting a chemical reaction that is essential to the fire's survival.

The popular fire suppressant Halon is so damaging to the environment that both Europe and the United States banned manufacturing of the gas in 1995. It is mentioned here only because some Halon systems installed before the ban was enacted are still in operation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) encourages the use of non-ozone depleting fire suppression agent alternatives, and in 1990, the US EPA established its significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) to evaluate new chemicals and technologies for the replacement of ozone depleting substances. As a result, many companies are putting in alternative clean agents that are environmentally friendly.

Clean agents derive their name from the simple idea that they do not leave any residue after discharge. This feature makes them ideal for electronics and eliminates cleaning worries.

Another gas used in fire suppression, CO2, is damaging when inhaled at high concentrations (greater than 5% by volume, or 50,000 ppm). The current threshold limit value (TLV) or maximum level that is considered safe for healthy adults for an eight-hour work day is 0.5% (5,000 ppm). For this reason, your facility must be vacated before the system discharges.

Unlike CO2, Inergen® is non-dangerous . However, a discharge of Inergen® results in an approximate 3% concentration of carbon dioxide. While initially breathable, it is recommended that the environment be evacuated. Since it is not a liquid under pressure, Inergen® requires significant storage space. After a discharge, the environment becomes highly pressurized which could cause damage if not released in a timely manner.

Gas fire suppression systems often consist of the agent (gas), agent storage containers, agent release valves, fire detectors and warning mechanisms, agent piping, and agent dispersion nozzles. With most gases, the environment must be put under pressure in order to contain the agent. Installation is complicated and expensive, and the reward is realized only after discharge, as clean up is as simple as venting the room.

2. Water-Based Fire Suppression

Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems resulted from the growth from standard sprinklers designed for flooding fires. Much lighter than their more archaic counterpart, water mist systems are effective on Type A and B fires and result in less damage than traditional water-based systems. Still, water mist systems are not ideal for server rooms due to the Type C electrical fires common to this environment. Clean up and safety issues are also a concern when faced withwet orwet components. Although effective in the right situations, water mist systems must often be augmented with other fire suppression systems in order to ensure complete coverage in the event of a fire. After discharge, expect down time of a few weeks for a sprinkler system and less with water mist. Often with a sprinkler system, you are unable to take it with you if you are in a lease or are planning to move to new facilities. This could make a big difference in your consideration of a water-based system.

3. Aerosol Fire Suppression

The newest technology in fire suppression, Aerosol Extinguishing Technology, was officially approved and effective in 2005 by the National Fire Insurance Association. A clean agent with no post combustion byproducts, aerosols such as the brand Aero-K® do not replace the oxygen as CO2 does, do not create Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) after the fire, and have no environmental impact.

The aerosol consists of ultra-fine particles that are expelled via generators. Upon discharge, the substance creates a fog of suspended particles.

Non-poisonous and non-corrosive, the agent remains suspended in the environment for up to 60 minutes, virtually eliminating any possibility of reignition. After discharge and a 10-minute hold time, clean up includes venting the room and a light dusting of the surfaces.

Unlike gaseous systems, which operate at pressure and often require extensive piping, aerosol generators are very inexpensive to install and maintain and have small space and weight requirements. The generators that dispense the aerosol are available in a variety of sizes to accommodate any size environment.

Select A Fire Suppression System with Dependable Safety Benefits

Safety benefits can save time, money, equipment, and most importantly, lives. Here are some benefits that your fire suppression system must have in order to prevent either premature discharge or the opposite - activation delay - when a new fire is either noticed or accidentally begun by human error.

Lock Out/Abort Switch - This feature is essential for instances when a service person is in the protected environment and creates smoke, for example from soldering. A lock out/abort switch lets you disable the system with a key to avoid an accidental discharge. Should a threatening fire start while the system is disabled, a worker can use a fire extinguisher for a localized fire or arm the system and use the manual pull station.

Manual Pull Station - If a fire is inadvertently begun, or is noticed by someone in the room, the manual pull station allows for immediate response without waiting for the system to detect smoke.

Choose a Fire Suppression Company That Will Tailor a System to your Specialized Needs

Aside from superior customer service, look for a fire suppression company that will make your needs their top priority. The company that bids your fire detection and suppression installation will want to know the size of your space and particular characteristics of your room. This will determine the amount of agent, piping, system space and weight requirements.

A good fire suppression business will consider such factors as the length of time you expect to occupy your current space. If you intend to transfer operations within a few years, you'll want to know if the system can be transferred to your new facility and reinstalled with minimal budget impact. Don't forget to ask about the pricing associated with recharging the system, should the system discharge.

You'll also want to talk about how the system can grow if the size of your computer room increases due to growth. And, in the opposite scenario, will you be able to reduce the scale of the system if you limit operations?

Each state, city, or municipality has a fire code that must be taken into consideration when weighing the options. Some agencies require sprinklers and others will allow a clean agent system in lieu of sprinklers. Factors such as the type of building construction often impact the codes and laws. Select a fire suppression installation consultant that asks all of the right questions about your fire code and other unique requirements such as UL certification for fire suppression equipment.

Fire Suppression Expenses

Expenses are often estimated based on the size of the room. This determines the amount of agent needed to extinguish a fire as well as the equipment and delivery mechanisms needed. The agent concentration levels differ depending on the class of fire anticipated. Make sure you ask about the pricing of updating the system on a yearly basis and also the expected life of the agent/systems so that you are prepared should you need to update periodically for optimal effectiveness.

An Automatic Fire Suppression System Can Decrease Your Insurance Premium

If you don't currently have a fire suppression system, consider the insurance cost angle. Insurance companies sometimes offer a Loss Control Survey that, when done, may offer rate reductions for installing a waterless chemical fire suppression system. A phone call to your agent and some savvy research will give you an idea of what you'll save - often in the range of 10%-15%. Don't forget to take the tax deduction. With a 10-year shelf life, a product such as Aero-K® can offer tax benefits over its full useful life.