In my experience, I belive I'd agree with the USAF statement. In any fires that I've seen in or around data centre facilities, it has usually started outside of the actual equipment itself, with ancillary systems and other materials. (this has been mostly in enterprise settings, as opposed to ISP / Co-lo) I've just about completed a new facility with both FM200 gas (above & below floor) and pre-action (dry-pipe) water with misting heads as a secondary. My biggest fire hazard concern is the electrical system and electrical/communications cabling within the facility. We've probably all seen the bad practice of storing combustible materials within the environment itself (paper manuals, boxes, etc). I've also developed a great amount of respect for compressed gas extinguishing systems (FM200, etc.). About three years ago I saw the aftermath of a service person refilling a cylinder, when the neck of the valve broke. The 600lb cylinder went off like a torpedo (kind of like letting go of a ballon).....broke loose of its mounting an took off through the room, ramming several cabinets and blasting through floor tiles. The guy servicing it (the only person in the room at the time) actually survived, the cylinder brushed him as it took off and dislocated his arm. The data centre looked like a war zone when I walked into it....the force of the thing was incredible. M.

From: Sean Donelan <sean@donelan.com> To: nanog@merit.edu Subject: Fire protection in ISPs and collocation facilities Date: 3 Nov 2000 01:39:18 -0800

What has been the fire experience for ISPs and collocation facilities? Other than the infamous Ascend incidents, I don't recall any ISP or collocation fire incidents during the last five years.

Why am I asking, because some code officials seem to feel the need to develop a special code to cover collocation facilities popping up all over the place. But I think most collocation facilities are generally constructed to exceed the current codes anyway, and are generally much lower risk than the "normal" occupancies around them.

The US Air Force is revising its design guidance for fire protection of computer-electronic equipment installations this year. In the most recent draft, the USAF has ultra sensitive air sampling smoke detection, wet-pipe automatic sprinklers and smoke exhaust systems in its design guidance.

Based on a five year study, the USAF found the most significant fire and smoke threats have originated outside the computer-electronic equipment room. Two-thirds of the fires originate outside the computer-electronic room.

One-third of the fires originated within the vicinity of the computer- electronic equipment. Less than 25% of the fires originate within the computer-electronic equipment.

The single largest threat of fire to computer-electronic equipment is the electrical distribution system. Two-thirds of the dollar losses (1/3 of the fires) are caused by fixed wiring, transformers, power switching gear, light fixtures and extension cords.

In over 50% of the fires, the first material ignited is some type of plastic, including electrical insulation.

_________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com.