Fire Protection Systems Installation Project
Our organization has completed the design of fire protection systems for the facility.
Fire Protection Equipment Design
Fire Safety Systems Composition
The fire protection systems complex is built based on developed design documentation. The data center fire protection complex includes the following:
- Automatic Fire Alarm System
- Automatic Sprinkler System and Fire Water Supply
- Automatic Gas Fire Extinguishing System
- Early Fire Detection
- Alarm and Evacuation Control System
- Smoke Control Ventilation
Data center fire protection systems are integral parts of the unified fire protection structure. Information about all fire protection devices status is collected in the dispatch center and transmitted to the central complex dispatch.
Automatic Fire Alarm System
Addressable analog type automatic fire alarm system is proposed for the premises.
The system monitors fire conditions in facility premises and recognizes early fire factors. It transmits information to each data center's Dispatch Center and generates signals for technical equipment control to prevent fire spread, smoke in evacuation routes, and activate alarm and evacuation control.
Each data center has its own central fire alarm equipment integrated into the complex equipment. Equipment configuration must meet parameters of systems built on functional-modular principle.
Peripheral devices, detectors, control modules and manual call points connect to separate fire control panels for each data center. Control panels connect to the common complex alarm via data bus.
All premises are protected except wet process areas, ventilation chambers, pump rooms without combustible materials, and stairwells.
The system includes:
- Fire control panels
- Automatic detectors
- Manual call points
- Fire automation control modules
- Monitoring modules
- Short-circuit isolation modules
Main system functions:
- Monitoring alarm loops and smoke detectors
- Receiving and registering alarm signals
- Receiving signals from automatic extinguishing systems
- Transmitting signals to fire automation systems
- Automatic ventilation and air conditioning shutdown
- Automatic fire damper closing
- Automatic smoke exhaust activation
- Air pressurization activation
- Evacuation system algorithm control
- Other engineering systems control
The main system unit processing and transmitting information is the fire control panel. Panel quantity is determined by technical capabilities. Panels are installed in cross-connection rooms.
Each premises has an automated workstation. Operators can monitor alarm locations and fire protection device activation, manage systems, and block automatic fire protection commands if needed. All fire protection device signals are displayed on operator workstations.
Automatic Sprinkler System and Internal Fire Water Supply
Automatic water fire extinguishing system and internal fire water supply network are provided according to regulations. Sprinkler system type - water-filled. Internal fire water supply type - water-filled. All premises are equipped except:
- Premises with gas extinguishing modules
- Ventilation chambers
- Restrooms and wet process areas
- Stairwells
- Low fire hazard categories premises
Sprinkler system and fire water supply connect to common complex networks. This solution eliminates need for separate pump groups.
Fire signals and extinguishing system status are transmitted to data center Dispatch Stations. Working pump activation is controlled by pressure sensors.
Automatic Gas Fire Extinguishing System
Each data center has one gas extinguishing installation. This optimizes equipment quantity and occupied space. Protected premises include:
- Machine rooms (2 per data center)
- Electrical rooms
Inert gas or clean agent fire extinguishing compounds are proposed.
The inert gas is a natural inert gas. Extinguishing principle involves reducing oxygen concentration from normal 20.9% to 15% by displacement.
Calculated extinguishing concentration is 39%, meeting international safety standards.
The gas is suitable for electronic equipment protection as it doesn't decompose at high temperatures and doesn't create freezing effects.
No special disposal required and no additional forced ventilation needed.
The clean agent is a modern fire extinguishing substance for electrical equipment. It resembles water but is actually a dry substance. Extinguishing method is based on cooling effect and flame inhibition.
It has high safety margin and doesn't reduce oxygen to dangerous levels. The substance is colorless, odorless, and at room temperature gas state. It absorbs heat, interrupting combustion reaction.
Working module quantity is determined by calculation during documentation development with 100% hot standby.
Gas equipment is installed in fire extinguishing stations. Station partition walls - type 1, ceilings - type 3. Station height at least 2.5m, temperature 5-35°C, humidity max 80%, illumination at least 100 lux.
Stations have supply-exhaust ventilation with minimum double air exchange and telephone connection with Dispatch. "Fire Extinguishing Station" light sign at entrance. Entrance door has locking device preventing unauthorized access.
Station equipment includes:
- Gas extinguishing batteries with main and reserve modules
- Distribution devices for each protected room
In automatic mode, smoke detector activation triggers control signal to open specific room distribution device and calculated module quantity.
Gas flows from modules through collector and opened distribution device to pipeline leading to fire area. Gas presence and flow are monitored by pressure sensors.
Automatic mode is only possible when no personnel in protected area. Control signal can also be generated manually by push-button.
Before manual or remote activation, evacuate people, close doors, then activate system. Safety measures for gas-protected premises:
- Automatic start deactivation when doors open
- Light and sound warning signals
- 30-second discharge delay after start signal
- Unauthorized gas discharge blocking
- Warning sign activation during gas discharge
Combustion product removal is provided by separate systems for each data center.
Early Fire Detection System
Early fire detection system uses aspirating detectors for high-precision air sampling and analysis to quickly identify smoke and combustion products.
The project provides early detection for equipment racks, underfloor spaces, and electrical rooms.
Early detection system functions:
- Smoke detection at earliest heating and ignition stages
- Air analysis directly in equipment racks
- Alarm signal transmission when smoke thresholds reached
- Air analysis through sampling pipe network
- Underfloor space monitoring
- Integration with other fire safety systems
- Status signal transmission
- Autonomous operation and control
The system is based on detector-analyzers connected to air sampling pipe network. Each detector covers specific zones corresponding to distribution areas.
Additionally, detectors cover underfloor spaces and electrical rooms. Each detector operates autonomously and transmits fire detection signals. All detectors are networked to operator workstations.
The system can integrate with automatic fire alarm system. Sampling pipe network actively transports air from protected areas to detectors.
Alarm and Evacuation Control System
Type 5 alarm and evacuation control system is provided for data center premises. System structure involves centrally-distributed equipment for each data center integrated into common complex system. Notification is provided in all permanent and temporary people presence areas.
System purposes:
- Pre-recorded command transmission according to set algorithm
- Direct evacuation process control with voice messages
- Fire and emergency notification
- Internal and city radio broadcast transmission
- Real-time device and circuit monitoring
System control and monitoring is performed by operators from Dispatch Centers. Microphone panel is the main control device.
System composition:
- Station equipment installed in apparatus rooms
- End equipment (notification devices)
- Cable network
Topology and station equipment composition is determined during design.
Notification device quantity and sound pressure level calculation is performed according to finishing specifications and room noise characteristics.
Smoke Protection System
For ensuring people evacuation during initial fire stage, the project proposes:
- General ventilation shutdown
- Fire damper installation at fire barrier crossings
- Supply and exhaust smoke control ventilation
Data center premises include:
- Stairwell lobby air pressurization
- Corridor smoke extraction
- Elevator lobby air pressurization
- 1 m² smoke extraction ducts
- 0.8 m² air pressurization ducts
Smoke protection complex control is provided by automation integrated into common fire protection control system.
Smoke control ventilation ducts and channels are made of non-combustible materials with fire resistance limits:
- EI 180 - for air intake shafts and supply channels outside served fire compartment
- EI 90 - for air intake shafts and supply channels within served compartment
Smoke control dampers are normally closed, made of non-combustible materials. Smoke dampers open only in fire zone, with remote and manual reset. Dampers have automatic and remotely controlled drives without thermal elements.
Smoke extraction fans have fire resistance limits 2.0h/400°C or 1.0h/600°C depending on calculated gas temperatures.