Computer Room Safety; Fire Protection; Fire Suppression; Lighting Requirements For Equipment Servicing - HP 9000 rp3410 Manual

Computer Room Safety

WARNING!
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
CO and Halon substitutes, like Intergen. Where fire suppression using water is dictated, use
2
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
The safety of personnel must be a paramount consideration when performing the