Type of Fire Protection for Existing Server Room?

5/26/2025

We have an old server room. The server room is split into two side-by-side rooms separated by a wood stud wall with sheet rock covering. One server room side is approximately 15'x30'. The other side is approximately 30'x30'.

The ceiling is a 2 ' x2' square ceiling tile with insulation above. Above the ceiling is open to the warehouse.

The floating floor is suspended approximately 12". Wires for the servers are under the floating floor resembles a bird's nest. The wires also protrude through all four walls at various locations, but mainly between the floating floor and the concrete floor. The old sprinkler system needs upgrading.

We are thinking of a clean agent system, but the cost would be monumental. Moving the server room to a different location would also be cost-prohibitive. Both server rooms would require doors, walls, and ceiling modifications including rewiring all the server equipment for a clean agent system. We have a large amount of server equipment.

Does anyone have fire protection system(s) suggestion?

Does anyone have reference material for suggestions on installing different systems to provide to upper management?

What is the best method for providing a cost estimate for various types of systems?

Also, has anyone had luck with the misting system in server rooms?

Thanks in advance.

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8 Comments

Glenn Berger

5/26/2025 08:31:10 am

Lots of issues here:

Need to determine the importance of this server room!

Is compliance with NFPA 75 required?

Does the entire facility require fire sprinkler system(s)?

Are all of the cables in the raised floor space still required? Is there a cable management plan? Is the raised floor space used as a plenum? Are the cables plenum rated?

Does the space, including the raised floor space, have smoke detection provided? Early Smoke Detection System?

Answering these questions can start the conversation on a recommendation for proceeding.

David Kendrick

5/26/2025 08:40:06 am

In addition to the other practical considerations, I would like to include the following:

If the room(s) reach a temperature sufficient to activate the link on a sprinkler head, the potential for damage extends beyond just the water from the sprinkler system. Double interlock sprinklers require several steps to activate the valve, which means that if the temperature rises, there is a significant likelihood that damage has already occurred. The sprinklers are designed to help mitigate any further damage.

franck

5/26/2025 08:48:55 am

Glenn raised very good points
The configuration seems problematic for a gas protection system (you will need to rearrange the room and remove any combustible construction element) or a water mist system (too many hidden places where water mist won’t be effective).
Sprinkler (preaction) could be a possibility but you will probably lose anyway many of the equipment.
On top of that you have the exposure from adjacent occupancies (warehouse) : are these areas protected in any way (sprinklers…) ?

I would suggest to work on back up plan (regular data savings at an outside location) and see if you can reduce the replacement time in case of total loss.
If losing entirely the room is not such a problem by replacing easily and quickly the equipment at a reasonable cost with appropriate data information back ups, then I would go for sprinklers (preaction if you don’t want spurious activation on electronic equipment)
If not, then I would invest to lake the room suitable for a gas protection system.
Note that you can combine both if the room is really critical : gas for the first shot, sprinklers if it is not enough.

Johannes

5/27/2025 12:20:34 am

Not sure if a shipbuilder could give a valid answer here, but is the installation of a 'Novec' Fire surpression system considerable? We planned to install an automatic Novec system for protection of two switchboard rooms on a ferry project some years ago but the building company went bancrupt...:-)

JON DIMANLIG link

5/27/2025 01:01:04 am

If Clean agent system is not viable due to budget constraint, most ideal protection is using the water mist system. It will not damage the equipment

Mark Harris

5/27/2025 08:28:58 am

If the walls do not go floor to roof deck door fan test to prove room integrity is an issue. And halocarbon (Novec 1230 FK-5-1-12) needs a sealed room. Inert gas system like inergen IG-541 with a discharge test may be an option and location of agent cylinders is flexible.

Clean agent systems are to protect the contents (like server racks) and not considered sprinkler protection if sprinklers are required by the IBC.

Suggest you review with a special hazards contractor for input and cost options. (Distributor for Ansul, Fike, Kidde, etc.). Many of them have watermist options as well but may need a pump for mist which could get more expensive.

Not sure where project is but if you go to equipment manufacturers sites they typically have a find a distributor search by state.

Elliot

6/3/2025 10:35:54 am

FK5-1-12 would be the first option i go with. I just got a quote for $200,000USD for a 2000sqft server room, but that is a very small price to pay for lost data.

Another option could be the Vortex System by Victaulic. I believe this has only been developed in the last couple of years. Not sure if it is official UL/FM approved. you can look at NFPA 770 for more info or their website

Jerry O

6/17/2025 10:12:28 pm

If budget constraints are a concern, I recommend considering a portable fire suppression system utilizing flame-sensitive detection tubing installed within the server rack. Additionally, installing a multi-criteria smoke detector inside the room can provide early warning in the event of suppression system failure. For an added layer of protection, a dry chemical portable fire extinguisher (PFE) should be positioned outside the server room as a first line of defense.

Type of Fire Protection for Existing Server Room?

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