In many cases, this can very well be a local issue. Depending on the local
fire code, it may be a requirement to cut power to the room in some fashion
regardless of the type of fire suppression system in use.
Depending on the UPS manufacturer, it might make sense to have servers
attached to the UPS to go into shutdown mode after a minimal amount of time
(say 10 minutes). That is enough time to allow for graceful shutdown but
would still have the power killed to the room before the guys with the axes
and fire hoses show up (assuming that you are not directly across the street
from the local fire house). In the even that the power outage is NOT fire
related, this should still be enough time to over-ride the shutdown on the
UPS so that you can extend server uptime for a short term power issue.
Integrating environmental sensors may also make sense. If you get a massive
heat warning (i.e. FIRE), some of the better environmental sensors can work
with various UPS' to initiate emergency shutdown routines.
TJ
On Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 3:38 PM, Bill Griscom <griscomb@e-lcds.org> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I apologize for the really boring topic of fire suppression systems, but
> I'm wondering if anyone who has tackled a similar project could answer a few
> questions.
>
> The gas based system we're looking to install would replace the sprinkler
> system in our server room. There are a few things we were asked to provide
> for the fire suppression company in the event of a fire. One of those things
> is power shutdown in the room. Normally I wouldn't think of this as a
> difficult task, but because we have a UPS in the server room, the servers
> will continue to run until the batteries are drained.
>
> If you use a fire suppression system that isn't water based, do you cut off
> power to the server room if a fire is detected? How do you handle the UPS
> units that continue to power the servers even if the power is off? Do you
> shut off power to the wall outlets and everything in the room?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Bill Griscom
>
> Director of Information Services
> Lancaster Country Day School
> 725 Hamilton Road
> Lancaster, PA 17603-2491
> 717.392.2916 x. 246
> griscomb@lancastercountryday.org
>
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--
TJ Rainsford
E: tjrainsford@gmail.com
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