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Being asked to deactivate a fire suppression system - yikes

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    Being asked to deactivate a fire suppression system - yikes

    Howdy,

    Summary: have you ever been asked to de-activate the fire suppression system in a client data centre ?

    Long version:
    This is for anyone whose role takes them into client data centres. Systems administrators (like me) and perhaps hardware people.

    Over the years, I have regularly worked in physical data centres. For example when building servers, doing small hardware changes or escorting third party engineers. Sometimes, entering a data centre involves extra security procedures, such as entering a PIN or similar. All very reasonable. However, a recent client expected me to do something else, in addition. That is: to disable the fire suppression system before entering the DC, and to re-enable it after leaving. The staff showed me how to do it, and it was a routine procedure for them. (By "fire suppression system", I mean the in-built sprinklers or gas flood system that actually puts out the fire).

    How odd. I cannot guess why staff were deactivating the fire protection. It isn't something I have come across before, and isn't a widespread practice, according to Google. I think their motivation was personal safety but when I asked, nobody could explain why they were doing it, including staff engineers, my manager and even the manager in charge of the data centre.

    It seems to carry several serious risks, not least being that if you forget to re-enable it, and the DC later burned down, your insurer is unlikely to pay out after they learn that you de-activated the sprinklers. Even if they did pay, a £10 million policy from QDOS (like mine) is not going to cover the cost of a whole DC. I politely told the client that, for these and other reasons, I would not be deactivating their fire suppression system.

    I'm not looking to start a discussion on flood/sprinkler systems. I know they come in many forms, and can be dangerous for humans. I'm just asking if you have come across this practice ? And if so, did you consider the risks?

    #2
    I've never been asked to.

    Comment


      #3
      Nor me, but ive been in a datacentre when the Halon was triggered by a sensor fault. Its not an experience i would want to repeat.

      Its also why i prefer water rather than gas to put fires out. It doesnt risk killing people.
      Blog? What blog...?

      Comment


        #4
        Yes, during a permie job when I was a lot younger.
        Thought it was a bit odd, but figured it must be OK since my older colleague showed me how

        Looking at it another way, it was a choice... Either deactivate it and risk a fire spreading,... or risk being gassed to death by Halon.
        With literally no other human beings about, I preferred not being gassed. If the whole server room went up in flames I could probably make it out first and wait for the fire brigade to arrive

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by CheeseSlice View Post
          Yes, during a permie job when I was a lot younger.
          Thought it was a bit odd, but figured it must be OK since my older colleague showed me how
          I guess if you are permy, you are on slightly safer ground, insurance wise.

          Comment


            #6
            Yes years ago during my early days...

            As a contractor I would want the practice in writing and that the client accepted all associated risks. I would imagine my PII would expect me to have mitigated their exposure.

            Comment


              #7
              It's possibly historic. If they had a Co2 or Halon system in place then this would be good practice. If it's been replaced by a foam or water based system, as many have nowadays, then it may be that the SOP's for the data center weren't updated at the same time, hence still disabling the fire system when the room is occupied.
              "Being nice costs nothing and sometimes gets you extra bacon" - Pondlife.

              Comment


                #8
                a couple of years ago. yes.
                It was a brand new DC. I'm not really that interested in that side of data centres so just did what was asked.

                Althoguh I did point out that they needed someone to do double check it had been re-armed as people kept forgetting.
                See You Next Tuesday

                Comment


                  #9
                  Yep, where I worked (2008-2014) we disabled the fire suppression system which was Halon, didn't want to be gassed.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I have a vague memory of doing this back in ~2006, but certainly not recently. As a contractor I really wouldn't want to be touching those buttons, to be honest.

                    Comment

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