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Hot Aisle Containment and Fire Protection

Started by thehotaisle · 10 months ago

Recently we have been writing a lot about how hot-aisle/cold aisle containment. It is important to be aware this strategy, fire detection and protection requires special attention.
A recent article in Search Data Center gives some good advice:
Hot-aisle/cold-aisle containment – a ... Continue reading »

2 comments

  • GrisoLM1

    10 months ago

    We have discussed containment with several customers and it always comes down to fire code issues. To get around this we have developed an active airflow system which effectively gets the same results as containment but is done by an air curtain.

    www.adaptivcool.com
    reply
  • Tim Sunderland

    8 months ago

    Simplex Isolation Systems provided the curtains and strip doors which were used by NetApp to meet their goal of saving 1 million kWh of energy per year. The system uses fuse links for mounting the curtains. Fuse links work on the same technology as fire sprinklers. Sprinklers are held in the closed position by a fusible alloy wire. When the fire reaches a predetermined temperature, the alloy melts and opens the valve for the sprinkler. By using fuse links to attach the mounting hardware of the curtains and strip doors in the data center, Simplex is able to ensure that the curtains will fall away and the sprinklers will be fully operational.

    Simplex has specially formulated vinyls which meet the standards of the California (United States) State Fire Marshall, the requirements of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

    Regarding the aesthetics of these systems, Simplex has also installed several systems using hard wall partitions. For data centers that are in high visibility locations and receive a good deal of VIP visitors, these panels are an ideal solution. They do require additional add-ons so that the fire sprinkler system will meet approval.

    Also keep in mind, at least in the United States, that many electrical utilities provide a rebate for installing these systems. When you ad the rebate from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), the NetApp system paid for itself in about five weeks. You can see the Simplex data center curtains and partitions at http://www.simplexstripdoors.com/dccurtains.htm.

    Tim Sunderland, Marketing, Simplex Isolation Systems
    reply

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