Should the supplier of the fire suppression system be informed on the design of the racks?

A computer room needs to be fitted out with a gas-based fire suppression system. The computer room will be a high-density data center with about 30% of the racks being closed circuit cooling blade-center racks.

Should the supplier of the fire suppression system be informed on the design of the racks?
A . No, cooling and design of racks have no influence on the fire suppression system design.
B . Only when the rack height obstructs a potential fire suppression release point.
C . Yes, the design of the racks has an influence on the fire suppression system design.
D . Only when the racks might block access to the fire panel.

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

The design and configuration of racks, particularly high-density and closed-circuit cooling racks, directly impact the fire suppression system design. Closed-circuit cooling racks, like blade-center racks, can affect airflow and potentially trap heat, influencing how fire suppression agents are distributed within the space. Therefore, it is essential to inform the fire suppression system supplier about the rack design to ensure effective coverage and proper agent distribution .

Detailed Explanation

High-density racks can change how smoke and heat travel, which in turn affects fire detection and suppression. Closed racks with built-in cooling can isolate airflow, requiring adjustments in fire suppression design to ensure that suppression agents reach all necessary areas, including within enclosed spaces. The supplier may need to account for these factors to ensure proper protection coverage.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

The EPI Data Center Specialist training underscores that fire suppression systems must be tailored to the specific environmental characteristics of the data center. The design of racks, particularly high-density configurations, should always be considered to ensure that suppression agents can effectively control a fire, even in contained rack spaces.