Hitachi VSP N800 Hardware Reference Manual page 72

Noise Level
State
Operating (Recommended)
Note:
*
Fire suppression systems and acoustic noise:
Some data center inert gas fire suppression systems when activated release gas from
pressurized cylinders that moves through the pipes at very high velocity. The gas exits
through multiple nozzles in the data center. The release through the nozzles could generate
high-level acoustic noise. Similarly, pneumatic sirens could also generate high-level
acoustic noise. These acoustic noises may cause vibrations to the hard disk drives in the
storage systems resulting in I/O errors, performance degradation in and to some extent
damage to the hard disk drives. Hard disk drives (HDD) noise level tolerance may vary
among different models, designs, capacities and manufactures. The acoustic noise level of
90 dB or less in the operating environment table represents the current operating
environment guidelines in which Hitachi storage systems are designed and manufactured
for reliable operation when placed 2 meters from the source of the noise.
Hitachi does not test storage systems and hard disk drives for compatibility with fire
suppression systems and pneumatic sirens. Hitachi also does not provide
recommendations or claim compatibility with any fire suppression systems and pneumatic
sirens. The customer is responsible to follow their local or national regulations.
To prevent unnecessary I/O error or damages to the hard disk drives in the storage
systems, Hitachi recommends the following options:
1. Install noise-reducing baffles to mitigate the noise to the hard disk drives in the
storage systems.
2. Consult the fire suppression system manufacturers on noise reduction nozzles to
reduce the acoustic noise to protect the hard disk drives in the storage systems.
3. Locate the storage system as far as possible from noise sources such as emergency
sirens.
4. If it can be safely done without risk of personal injury, shut down the storage systems
to avoid data loss and damages to the hard disk drives in the storage systems.
Damage to the hard disk drives from fire suppression systems or pneumatic sirens will void
the hard disk drive warranty.
Appendix C: Environmental specifications for VSP N800
VSP N800 Hardware Reference Guide
Environmental specifications
Condition
*
90 dB or less
72