Craig, Any specific documentation on actual fires? We've gone through all the pros including as you've described.
I'm looking for a horror story - of course, one where no one was injured. Thanks for the input. Jim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 08/26/2008 08:55 AM Please respond to sprinklerforum To <[email protected]> cc Subject RE: Computer room Racks with Blade Servers We had similar discussions with a client on a very large automotive project. The Underwriter was directing them to provide automatic sprinklers in the data center control rooms, they wanted nothing or at best FM-200 alone. The Underwriter had discussed business interruption with them and asked them how long it would take to rebuild their computer control systems, programming, and the physical spaces and the owner replied it would probably take about 8 months to recreate their data center and get production back on line in the event of a catastrophic loss such as a fire. At that time the owner's construction mgr. recalled another automotive project he was on several years back where the same protection approach was used, (smoke detectors and 2 hr construction) and that owner was offline for almost a year. These are not just simple computer rooms as these rooms also control environmental systems, assembly automation as well as a myriad of other automatic functions. They are the heart and brains of the site and without them the business is shut down. Those two illustrations convinced the owner of our project that the risk was too great and they conceded to permit the installation of sprinklers in the rooms in conjunction with FM-200 and smoke detection. The alternative was to construct a mirror site at another location that could be brought on-line almost immediately if needed in the event of a loss at the main control room. This is an expensive proposition in comparison to adequate fire protection measures. The scenario is a simple one, a sprinkler discharging 15-20 gpm or the fireman with a 100-200 gpm hose stream. Which will result in more overall damage? Down time of a few days or even weeks versus months to a year? Which is preferred? Roll the dice.................. Craig L. Prahl, CET Fire Protection Group Mechanical Department CH2MHILL Lockwood Greene 1500 International Drive PO Box 491, Spartanburg, SC 29304-0491 Direct - 864.599.4102 Fax - 864.599.8439 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.ch2m.com -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 8:29 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Computer room Racks with Blade Servers Marshall and fellow forumites: Without knowing all the details , I would say that in most cases because the square footage is over 12,000 sq.ft. the IBC would require it. The topic is very apropos to us at this time. We are in preliminary design of a foreign petrochemical facility, where our own automation and control people are adamantly opposed to providing even pre-action sprinkler protection in the control/computer rooms. They claim that it is never done in the petrochem industry and that they don't want to be the first ones to try it. That country's building codes do not prohibit it. We have exhaustively pointed out all the advantages and disadvantages - property damage, business interruption potential, shutdown of operations, etc. Unfortunately, they don't get that the odds of smoke detection and accidental operation of a sprinkler are astronomical. We have also given examples of not relying completely upon gaseous extinguishing due to doors propped open, future holes poked in walls, stuck dampers, loose ceiling tiles, etc. I am not asking the forum for code references, statistical information on sprinkler system failures, reasons sprinklers should be provided, etc. We've addressed all of that. I would like to know of actual experiences anyone has on computer/control rooms suffering fire damage and shutting down operations - especially those that have only gaseous extinguishing. Articles would be especially helpful. I have personally witnessed an unsprinklered electrical room that completely burned and shutdown operations. Unfortunately, these folks say it's apples and oranges. Thanks in advance. James L.(Jim) Roberts, PE/SET Fluor Corporation 100 Fluor Daniel Drive - C104F Greenville, SC 29607 864.281.5149 864.281.4916(Fax) "Marshall Stout" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 08/25/2008 07:49 PM Please respond to sprinklerforum To <[email protected]> cc Subject Computer room Racks with Blade Servers I have a computer room with 3 lines of racks. Each rack line is approximately 9 feet long and 3 feet wide. There is a 3 feet wide aisle between each rack line (2 aisles). Each rack is approximately 6 feet in height. Over each aisles, there is a lexan cover at 6-1/2 feet in height above the floor and a door at either end of the aisle, making a "room" 15 feet long and 9 feet wide in the computer room. This is for rack air conditioning. The computer room has a wet-pipe sprinkler system. 1. According to NFPA 101, the minimum headroom is 7 feet 6 inches. With the door access, would this "room" be required to have a 7 feet 6 inches ceiling? 2. To prevent sprinkler obstructions, would sprinklers be required in the "room"? Your opinions will be helpful. Marshall Stout, P.E. Fire Protection Engineer Redstone Arsenal, AL _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) ------------------------------------------------------------ The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain proprietary, business-confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon this message is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the company. ------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field) ------------------------------------------------------------ The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain proprietary, business-confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon this message is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the company. ------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
