New Euralarm guidance on fire extinguishing system performance in data centres
Iain Hoey
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Impact of airflow and containment on gaseous fire suppression in data centres
Euralarm has published a guidance document addressing the impact of high airflow and hot/cold aisle containment on the performance of gaseous fire extinguishing systems in data centres.
As reported by Euralarm, the guidance highlights key research findings on how cooling approaches, particularly high airflow, affect the efficacy of total flooding gaseous fire suppression systems.
It also provides insights into practical applications of these findings, especially for fire system designers, IT managers, and data centre operators.
The document focuses on the deployment of fire suppression systems and not on their detection aspects.
Understanding airflow and fire protection
The guidance explains that the presence of high airflow, commonly found in modern data centres, could potentially influence the performance of fire suppression systems.
Traditionally, fire systems were designed to interrupt airflow during an event to improve fire extinguishing efforts.
However, the research covered in the Euralarm report found that modern data centres, which often require continuous airflow to avoid equipment overheating, present a challenge to the traditional interruption approach.
The research shows that, while continued air movement may not negatively affect fire suppression performance, certain designs could require adjustments depending on airflow speeds and containment structures.
Variations in approvals between Europe and the US
Another key point from the Euralarm guidance is the difference in regulatory approaches between Europe and the US regarding fire suppression systems.
In the US, systems are required to meet specific product and system approvals such as those outlined in UL 2166.
European regulations, in contrast, provide more flexibility, with standards like EN 15004-1 being voluntary.
This difference allows for more customised fire protection designs in Europe, provided they are accepted by local authorities and stakeholders.
Euralarm emphasises that stakeholders must consider regional requirements and approvals when implementing fire protection systems.
Understanding the local context ensures that fire systems are compliant and effective.
Nozzle positioning and containment
The guidance also addresses the issue of nozzle positioning within data centres with hot and cold aisle containment.
Ensuring that extinguishing agents are distributed evenly across the containment areas is crucial to system performance.
The document compares different regulatory standards, highlighting that nozzle positioning varies across jurisdictions, particularly in regard to area coverage, height limitations, and airflow configurations.
The guidance suggests that in some cases, additional protective measures may be needed to ensure effective fire suppression, especially in areas with high airflow or complex containment setups.
This ensures that the fire suppression system works as intended in both hot and cold aisle configurations.
Impact of high airflow and aisle containment on fire extinguishing systems: summary
Euralarm’s latest guidance provides crucial information on the effects of high airflow and aisle containment on gaseous fire extinguishing systems in data centres.
As outlined in the document, continued airflow during a fire event may not hinder fire suppression efforts, but certain design considerations must be taken into account.
Differences between European and US regulatory frameworks offer varying levels of flexibility, which could affect system designs.
Nozzle positioning and the distribution of extinguishing agents within containment areas are key areas of focus in the guidance.
The document is a valuable resource for data centre operators, IT managers, and fire system designers who need to adapt fire protection systems to the unique cooling demands of modern data centres.
