User Manual

Siemens Switzerland Ltd 35
Building Technologies Division
Installation Location of the extinguishing cylinders
The cylinders shall be placed if possible outside the protected area in a separate
room or corridor close as possible to the risk area to reduce pipe lengths. If the
cylinders are stored in a corridor, safety precaution shall be taken to avoid
unauthorized actuation of the extinguishing system.
Installation of piping network
Pipes and pipe connections shall be made of metal and be able to withstand the
maximal possible pressure. Sections of pipe which could be subjected to static
pressure (closed piping) shall be protected by a pressure relief valve.
• The inside and the outside of the pipes shall be effectively protected
against corrosion, if necessitated by environmental conditions.
• To protect sensitive machinery, e.g. computers, from corrosive particles
in the pipe system galvanized steel must be used as a minimum.
• Make sure that the pipe networks have been blown-out by compressed
air in order to avoid that any dust particle might be brought in the
mission critical room during the discharge of the extinguishing agent.
• Bonding of pipe network to earth: Upon the triggering of a system, the
friction of any extinguishing agent in the pipe loads the agent with
friction electricity and is likely to generate electric arcs. The pipe must
be earthed to prevent any risk of becoming live from other electrical
circuits being faulty. This is also a requirement under some country
regulations (bonding of extraneous metal work).
Installation of nozzles
• Make sure that nozzles are positioned that no damage to protected
object can occur during discharge of the extinguishing agent.
• Make sure that no nozzle is positioned so that out coming agent flow
will be blocked by any obstacles, air ducts or partitions which would
lead to incomplete extinguishing agent evaporation. Consequentially
the correct distribution would not be guaranteed (this is especially
important when using Novec 1230 and in false floors and suspended
ceilings).
4.5.3. Summary
Although complying with the local standards, codes of practice and insurance guidelines is a legal obligation for
data center owners, they are also well aware that it is in their own interest to ensure that both the data centers
and the people are well-protected. Extinguishing systems not only protect people and property extremely
effectively, they also contribute to the smooth running of the data center operations. A well-planned
extinguishing concept that is appropriate to the size, situation and substance of the data center is essential.