HP Server rp8420 Generic Site Preparation Guide - Edition 6 - Page 10

Computer Room Safety WARNING! The safety of personnel must be a paramount consideration when performing the following recommendations. Failure to comply can create life-threatening scenarios. Inside the computer room, fire protection and adequate lighting when servicing equipment are important safety considerations. Federal and local safety codes govern computer installations. Fire Protection The National Fire Protection Association's Standard for the Protection of Electronic Computer Data Processing Equipment, NFPA 75, contains information on safety monitoring equipment for computer rooms. Most computer rooms are equipped with the following fire protection devices: • Smoke detectors • Fire and temperature alarms • Fire extinguishing system • Air Handling (Plenum) space that is segmented from the remainder of the building Additional safety devices are: • Circuit breakers • An emergency power cutoff switch (located at the computer room exit door) • Devices specific to the geographic location (such as earthquake protection) Fire Suppression Though fires in computer rooms are rare, they are a safety and business consideration. Use gaseous agents as primary fire control with water as a backup system. Gaseous agents include CO2 and Halon substitutes, like Intergen. Where fire suppression using water is dictated, use dry pipe water valving with suitably rated temperature heads. Dry pipe water valving lowers the business risks associated with accidental water pipe discharge. Lighting Requirements for Equipment Servicing Adequate lighting and utility outlets in a computer room reduce the possibility of accidents during equipment servicing. Safer servicing is also more efficient and, therefore, less costly. For example, adequate lighting reduces the chances of connector damage when cables are installed or removed. The minimum recommended illumination level is 70 foot-candles (756 lumens per square meter) when the light level is measured at 30 inches (76.2 cm) above the floor. Cabinet Recommendations Use third party cabinets whose product designs have been carefully considered with the following attributes: • Strength • Airflow considerations • Cabling restrictions Seismic or earthquake resistance can also be an important attribute in certain parts of the world. Cabinet blanking panels must be used in non-populated U-space levels to prevent unpredictable air mixing. This can lead to a No Trouble Found (NTF) diagnosis. Use the highest percentage cabinet perforation possible to allow the proper ventilation in the cabinet. All cabinet doors must be used in the front and the rear. They must be grounded to the cabinet using existing ground lugs and ground straps or grounding cables. 10 General Site Preparation Guidelines