User Manual

Siemens Switzerland Ltd 30
Building Technologies Division
Sound impact on hard
drives and storage systems
Siemens has investigated the influence of noise on hard disk drives and storage
systems intensively. The findings conclude that all today available magnetic hard
disk drives are noise sensitive. Therefore, the performance of hard disk drives can
be disturbed by the high noise levels during the discharge of dry extinguishing
systems.
However, by selecting the appropriate extinguishing system and nozzle as well as
implementing the silent extinguishing measures, noise-induced disruptions to
hard disk drives and entire storage systems can be prevented
( additional information and white paper).
4.5.2. Planning and installing an
automatic gas extinguishing system
When planning and installing a gas extinguishing system the following should be given special attention:
• Modular and centralized extinguishing systems
• Pressure relief
• Extinguishing concentration
• Flooding areas incl. void ceilings and raised floors
• Room integrity
Modular and centralized
extinguishing systems
A gas extinguishing system provides efficient fire protection for electrical and
electronic installations. This would be an appropriate solution for the protection
of computer and IT rooms, particularly as no residues are left behind as a
consequence of an extinguishing incident and fire damage can be restricted to
an individual piece of equipment. Such systems are very effective in putting out
fires and preventing any reignition, allowing normal operation to be resumed as
quickly and smoothly as possible.
Standard applications include centralized systems and modular systems. In a
centralized system, all gas cylinders are installed in a central location outside the
protected zone and preferably in a dedicated storage room. Centralized systems
always require a site-specific design, as all pipe diameters and nozzles must be
calculated individually according to the particular application.
Modular systems, on the other hand, consist of space-saving compact units that
are installed within the protection zone itself. These units combine fast and
reliable detection with quiet and safe extinguishing in one compact package.
They are particularly suitable for the protection of small enclosures with volumes
up to 132 m
3
that contain electronic and electrical equipment. The main cost-
saving advantage of such systems is that they can be installed quickly and easily,
and service and maintenance costs are very low.