I’ve been in the IT infrastructure game for a while now and I’ve seen my fair share of things.
One thing that always sticks with me is the OVH Strasbourg fire.
It was a real wake-up call for the industry and it made me think long and hard about how well-prepared our own data centers are.
At Contabo we take fire protection very seriously.
It’s not just a box we tick on a compliance checklist; it’s a core value that permeates every aspect of our operations.
It’s All About Prevention Not Just Reaction
We don’t just rely on fire suppression systems to protect our data.
We take a proactive approach to fire prevention starting with the very design of our facilities.
Our data centers are built with fire safety in mind:
- Strategic Distribution: Instead of clustering all our data centers in one location we spread them across different geographical areas. For example in the European Union we have multiple data centers strategically located to minimize the risk of a single event impacting all our operations.
- Compartmentalization: Even within a single data center we compartmentalize the critical infrastructure to prevent the spread of fire. Our larger data centers like the one in Nuremberg are divided into separate rooms even going as far as having dedicated rooms for our uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Think of it like a building with firewalls – isolating one room from another.
- Robust Construction: We use high-quality materials like concrete and brick for our walls and employ fire-resistant doors with F90 certification. These are designed to withstand fire for a minimum of 90 minutes giving us valuable time to evacuate and contain the fire.
Keeping an Eye on the Temperature and Smoke
But fire safety is not just about the physical infrastructure.
It’s about vigilance and constant monitoring.
We have a comprehensive fire detection system in place:
- Temperature Monitoring: We continuously monitor the temperature in both the “cold” and “hot” aisles of our data centers. This helps us detect any sudden temperature spikes that could indicate an overheating issue which can sometimes be a precursor to a fire.
- Smoke Detection: We have smoke detectors strategically placed throughout each data center including on the floor and the roof. This ensures that if a fire does start we’ll be alerted quickly even if it’s not visible to the naked eye.
Our Fire Alarm System is the First Line of Defense:
- Automatic Alerts: In the event of a fire alarm the nearest fire department is automatically notified. We don’t rely on human intervention to get help; we have a system in place to respond quickly and effectively.
Fighting Fire with Different Weapons
Depending on the location and the specific needs of the data center we use different fire suppression systems:
- Nitrogen-Based Suppression System: Some of our data centers employ nitrogen-based suppression systems. This technology works by filling the affected area with nitrogen essentially “suffocating” the fire by displacing the oxygen it needs to burn.
- Water-Based Suppression System: In other data centers we utilize water-based suppression systems. These systems are equipped with sprinklers that automatically activate the moment the first smoke detector goes off. But the system only releases water once a second smoke detector confirms the alarm is not a false positive. This ensures we avoid unnecessary water damage.
We’re Not Relying Solely on Technology:
- Fire Extinguishers: We have fire extinguishers strategically placed throughout our data centers ensuring everyone has access to firefighting equipment in case of a small fire.
Maintaining Vigilance: A Continuous Process
We don’t just install fire protection systems and then forget about them.
We take a rigorous approach to maintenance and testing:
- Regular Inspections: We conduct regular maintenance and inspections of our fire protection systems in accordance with local laws and regulations.
- External Audits: We also have our data centers inspected by independent fire safety authorities and external auditors at regular intervals. This ensures we are meeting the highest standards of fire safety.
- Insurer Approval: Our fire protection level has been reviewed and approved by our insurance provider giving us peace of mind knowing our data center is protected and insured against potential fire damage.
- Staff Training: Our staff at each data center undergoes comprehensive training on fire safety protocols and emergency procedures. This includes everything from evacuation procedures to the use of fire extinguishers.
Fire Safety: An Ongoing Commitment
While no system can guarantee 100% fire protection we are confident that our multi-layered approach to fire safety at Contabo minimizes the risk of a fire and ensures we can respond effectively if one does occur.
We’re constantly evaluating and improving our systems staying up to date with the latest technologies and best practices.
This commitment to fire safety is a fundamental part of our commitment to our customers and their data.