Top design trends in data centers: fire, life safety

Respondents

David Anderson, PE, LEED AP

Senior Mechanical Engineer, Principal

DLR Group

Phoenix

 

Drew Carré, PE

Senior Electrical Engineer

Kupper Engineering Inc.

Ambler, Pennsylvania

 

Terry G. Cleis Jr., PE, LEED AP

Vice President

Peter Basso Associates

Troy, Michigan

 

Matt Koukl, DCEP-G

Principal Project Manager, Mission Critical Market Leader

Affiliated Engineers Inc.

Madison, Wisconsin

 

Brian Rener, PE, LEED AP

Principal

SmithGroup

Chicago

 

Saahil Tumber, PE, HBDP, LEED AP

Technical Authority

Environmental Systems Design Inc.

Chicago

---

CSE: What fire, smoke control and security features might you incorporate in these facilities that you wouldn’t see on other projects?

Carré: To reduce costs, HVAC units in separate rooms can be used as backups to each other. To prevent smoke traveling from one space to the other, addressable fire alarm systems along with smoke dampers are required to isolate the rooms from one another. It is important that separate spaces be kept separate and that failures/issues in one space do not affect the adjacent space.

CSE: How have the cost and complexity of fire protection systems involved with data centers changed over the years? How did these changes impact the overall design process?

Rener: Many years ago, data centers used both gaseous and pre-action protection systems. They also used conventual smoke detectors. Nearly all data centers now use high-sensitivity air sampling smoke detention systems and pre-action double interlocked (dry) sprinklers.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.