SPECIAL HAZARDS

PROTECTION

AUTOMATIC FIREFIGHTING
SYSTEMS IN

DPCS

227
 total flooding protection

Hazard type
Data processing centres (DPCs) are stra- In this type of enclosures, protection
NRI FACTOR
tegic points in any organization. They store must be considered in three areas:
all the company’s information, presumably
one of its greatest assets. • Protection of any people that may be
probability of
on the premises.
a fire starting
x
consequences
In case of fire, damage is measured not
only in terms of the material value of the • Protection of equipment and the in-
equipment, but the loss is significantly formation it contains.
greater when the chain reaction that oc-
curs is taken into account: • Total protection of the building to
prevent damage which may spread
• Loss of stored information, often un- and affect the structure.
recoverable.

• Production downtime until the sys- The hazard protected, according to legis-
tem recovers. lation is:

• Losses incurred as a result of time 1.- Ordinary class A: “Fire of materials

spent on re-compiling all the data. such as wood, fabric, paper, rubber, and
certain plastics, including those which
cells are made up of”, for cases in which
DPCs are considered occupiable spaces
electric current is cut upon detection.
or enclosures, where authorized person-
nel could enter. This fact has to be taken
2 - A+ (UNE and ISO) or C (NFPA): Elec-
into account when it comes to choosing
trical hazard, if there is still current after
the most appropriate extinguishing agent.
detection.
Sources of fire
As an accident, a fire is considered as its outbreak and immediate spread. However, con- ESPECIAL
sidering that the oxidizer (air) is always present and that the chain reaction is a result of
the fire, the basic conditions that will cause the breakout are: fuel and activation energy. ATTENTION
Therefore, and taking the above into account, to Keep in mind that the vast ma-
assess the risk of fire you have to consider the
probability of fuel and flashpoints coexisting in the jority of DPCs, especially those
same space and time, and with sufficient intensity. HEAT OXYGEN
of considerable size, have fal-

se ceilings and raised floors.

Fire prevention focuses on the removal of
FUEL
one of these factors

Wiring—electrical and data—

runs through both spaces and

The main causes of fire which can occur in this sort of installation are:
they must be protected as
Internal factors External factors
spaces which are difficult to
Sparks caused by switches Dirt
maintenance and inspect vi-
Short-circuits Devices that produce heat
sually, being potential sources
Overloading Solar radiation

Static electricity Thermal Environmental Conditions of fire.

Refurbishment efforts that could be carried out in the room and involve danger. Some
of the elements that represent the highest risk factors are welding, vehicle traffic and
combustion engine machines.
Design criteria
RECOMMENDATIONS BY SIZE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS SELECTOR VALVES
The size of spaces to be protected is a very The most effective protection method for AND BACKUP SYSTEM
important factor, as is the location of the spaces of this type is TOTAL FLOODING (as If we are protecting several rooms where
cylinders with respect to the same. Both will long as leak tightness is guaranteed), invol- the risk of simultaneous fires is low, it may
influence both the storage pressure and the ving the release of extinguishing agent into be interesting to design the system for the
choice of agent. the enclosure at a concentration that ensures most unfavourable. By using selector valves
that the outbreak of fire is put out and its from a single cylinder bank sized for the gi-
Small DPCs
possible spread is contained. ven hazard, both will be protected.
• INERT-SIEXTM
• SIEX-HCTM 227
Checking the pressure and amount of agent This system is compatible with a cylinder
• SIEX-NCTM 1230
is a factor of particular importance, which bank arrangement. In many cases, it may be
Medium-sized CPDs is why all standards and rules feature sti- very useful to have backup agent to ensure
• INERT-SIEXTM pulations on this matter. To facilitate this protection during filling and/or re-stamping
• INERT-SIEXTM CONSTANT FLOW VALVE function and eliminate the human factor, of the main system cylinders.
• SIEX-HCTM 227 S-FLOW essential if done visually, pressure switches
Large DPCs and weighing systems are used. Both send The backup system will have the same quan-
• INERT-SIEXTM a signal to the control panel if discharge or tity of gas for protecting the enclosure as
• SIEXTM WATER MIST SYSTEM pressure loss is detected. was calculated for the main system. When
uninterrupted protection is required, both
After studying the characteristics of the spa- the main and backup agent supply systems
ce to be protected, the type of agent and the must be permanently connected to the dis-
storage cylinders, two possible locations can tribution piping and arranged in such a way
be chosen for the cylinders: as so make the switch as easy as possible.
NE
W • As close as possible to the hazard to
SIEX-HCTM S-FLOW be protected, if there is sufficient spa-
ce and if a room has not already been
By storing HC-227 gas at pressures
appointed.
between 50 and 60 bar we ensure that
gas is discharged at distances which • In a room has been expressly designa-
ted for the cylinders, which could be
would be unthinkable with less pressu-
farther away from the hazard.
re. This extends the possibility of using
selector valves, saving on gas quantity,
cylinder bank
storage systems and space.
diagram

Importance of hazard area size:

The protection system and the type of agent selected depends largely on the size, shape and arrangement of the room
itself. Pressure is another determining factor.

Number of cylinders and Agent pressure according Nozzle type depending on the System configuration with

storage space required. to pipe length, diameter and flow, distribution, radial or or without selector valves,
path. 180º, open or closed (WATER backup system, cylinder bank

MIST), etc. arrangement, valves, etc.

SOLUTIONS
As market leaders, we offer a wide variety of extinguishing agents and application sys-
tems which address the multiple needs of modern buildings. They are characterized by:
Our commitment
QUICK RESPONSE CHOICE OF SYSTEMS
NON-TOXIC
SIEX has the widest range of products
NO RESIDUE
ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE
and systems to suit different needs,
both as regards pressures and extin-
guishing agents.
Range of equipment with environmentally friendly gases.
They make installation cost-effective and are readily available:

Obtained from the atmosphere IG-01 – Argon.

COMPETITIVE PRICE
Low-cost agent IG-55 – 50% argon and 50% nitrogen. Optimizing all of our processes make us
Excellent visibility for evacuation IG-100 – Nitrogen more and more competitive worldwide.
Chemically neutral IG-541 – 52% Nitrogen + 40% Argon + 8% CO2.
Storage pressures of
Its high pressure allows the use of long pipe
150, 200 and 300 bar.
Long pipe runs.
runs and selector valves. Extinguishing agent SPECIALIZED ENGINEERING
and equipment could thus be saved by having
Our highly qualified staff ensure the
buildings devoted solely to data storage or having various clean rooms for this use, with
best service for customers both as re-
the associated savings in money, space and weight load on the building structure.
gards technical advice on the choice of
system, and solving any problems that
might arise after installation. Backed up
SIEX-HC1609 227 stands out for its versatility, by our extensive experience and a track
delivering safe extinguishing for equipment and indi- record of successful projects.
viduals in hazards of any size, espe- ideal for occupied areas.
cially suitable for DPCs. The system does not reduce oxygen levels in the room
is very stable, safe after long periods increases the safety margin INNOVATION
without use and clean, not damaging high extinguishing capability At the forefront of innovation in every
these sensitive units. storage from 24 to 60 bar.
product we develop, ensuring the tech-
non-corrosive
electrical and electronic
nical features offered.

Water mist is especially suitable for protecting electrical/ QUALITY GUARANTEE

electronic equipment. It avoids one of the greatest risks
All products meet the highest quality
for this equipment, smoke. Given its high coo-
minimum space requirement requirements and internationally recog-
ling power, it prevents possible structural da-
high extinguishing capability nised official approvals.
mage due to high temperatures and thus their
no chemical reaction with the
collapse.
materials
rapid temperature drop The efficiency of the systems is due mostly
protection of large areas to our nozzles, designed with the latest tech-
smaller pipe sizes nology.
easy installation According to the established design standards,
easy maintenance DPCs are considered OH1.
OTHER SPECIAL HAZARDS PROTECTING BY SIEX:
SERVICE STATIONS Telecommunication centres HISTORIC BUILDINGS

ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES HOTELS ROBOTIC PARKINGS

DPCs HOSPITALS WIND TURBINES

Paint Spray Booths Educational establishments STEEL INDUSTRY

electrical panels Train and underground stations BANKS

industrial kitchen TRAINS OFFICES

turbines and generators TRANSFORMERS LARGE VEHICLES

road tunnels OFFSHORE PLATFORMS CONVEYOR BELTS

NATURAL GAS PLANTS Solar Thermal Plants GAS PUMPS

CLEAN ROOMS MACHINE TOOLS OIL & GAS

CABLE TUNNELS PRINTING INDUSTRY TIMBER INDUSTRY

C/ Merindad de Montija, 6
P.I. Villalonquéjar
09001 Burgos (SPAIN)

tlfno: +34 947 28 11 08

fax: +34 947 28 11 12
[email protected]
www.siex2001.com

®
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