|
North American Network Operators Group Date Prev | Date Next | Date Index | Thread Index | Author Index | Historical Fire protection in ISPs and collocation facilities
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.
|