Fire protection in the server room – designed, coordinated, and implemented
High heat load, sensitive technology, running systems: fire protection in server rooms requires a well-thought-out overall concept. Daterra develops and implements it, coordinated structurally, technically, and with regulatory authorities.
- Conception and planning of structural and system fire protection
- Permitting planning and coordination with authorities
- Implementation as a general contractor or external project management, also for existing properties
Fire protection as part of overall planning
Fire safety in the server room cannot be planned in isolation. The requirements for suppression systems, fire compartments, and escape routes are directly linked to the electrical installation, air conditioning, and the building's structural conditions. Those who commission individual trades sequentially risk interface problems that will later become apparent during operation.
Daterra assumes the planning and implementation of fire protection as part of the overall infrastructure project. This includes building law review, approval planning according to the respective state building codes, and the coordination of all involved trades. As a general contractor or external project manager, Daterra ensures that fire protection, power supply, cooling, and structural measures are coordinated and can be jointly commissioned.
Fire hazards in the server room
Server rooms are under constant load. Active hardware continuously generates heat, cooling systems run around the clock, and the electrical infrastructure is rarely completely shut down. Precisely this continuous operation is the central risk factor.
- Overheating due to defective or undersized cooling
- improper cable routing with insufficient spacing or damaged insulation
- Power surges
- Lack of maintenance of aging components
- increased fire load due to combustible materials such as cable insulation or non-permanently installed IT accessories in the server room
A fire protection concept must know the specific technical equipment of the room, not just its floor area. Which loads generate what amounts of heat? Where do hotspots occur? How are cable trays routed? These questions determine which detection systems are sensible, which extinguishing agents are suitable, and which structural measures must supplement the concept.
Fire protection concept for the server room – what it includes
A complete fire protection concept for the server room consists of four levels that build upon each other: structural measures, technical systems, preventive fire avoidance, and organizational regulations. All four areas must be coordinated with each other for the concept to function in an emergency.
Structural fire protection
The structural basis is the separation of the server room as an independent fire compartment. Key requirements:
Walls, ceilings, and floors with a fire resistance class of at least F90
Doors with T90 and self-closing mechanism
Cable penetrations through walls and floors with approved firestop systems, including in raised access floors
Sealing of all floor and ceiling penetrations with fire protection materials
When renovating existing buildings, it must be checked whether the planned measures constitute a change of use in the legal building sense. In this case, building permits are required according to the respective state building regulations. The requirements vary depending on the federal state and building class. Daterra undertakes this check and the resulting permit planning.
Plant fire protection
A fire alarm system with networked smoke detectors is the basic requirement for early fire detection. In server rooms, smoke detection systems that continuously take air samples and detect smoldering fires before visible smoke develops are recommended. The system should also cover the area beneath the raised floor where cables, USV systems and power distribution are located.
For firefighting, depending on the room size, protection objectives, and restart requirements, different Extinguishing systems in question
Gas extinguishing systems
with inert gases (Argon, Nitrogen, Inergen) or chemical extinguishing agents (Novec 1230, FM-200): preferred solution for server rooms, residue-free, no damage to IT infrastructure
Water mist systems
Alternative for larger rooms, water damage limited by small droplet size
Sprinkler systems
generally unsuitable for server rooms, as water ingress can destroy hardware
CO₂ fire extinguishing systems
Technically effective, but hazardous to people at concentrations of 5 Vol.-% or higher in indoor air; may only be used under strict conditions and with a well-planned evacuation plan
Aerosol extinguishing systems
more cost-effective option for smaller server rooms, provided VdS-certified systems are used
Oxygen reduction as a preventive measure
Oxygen reduction systems based on nitrogen membranes permanently lower the oxygen content in server rooms below the ignition limit, thus preventing fire from starting in the first place. A prerequisite is a high degree of room sealability: walls, doors, cable penetrations, and ventilation systems must be sealed in such a way that the reduced oxygen content can be maintained consistently. This measure supplements, but does not completely replace, fire protection systems.
Organizational Fire Protection
Technical measures alone are not sufficient. A complete fire protection concept includes:
- Code of conduct for all persons with access to the server room (no smoking, no storage of flammable materials, no unauthorized interference with cabling or Air conditioning of the server room)
- Regular training and fire safety instruction
- documented evacuation plan with clearly defined responsibilities
- defined maintenance intervals for all fire protection equipment
Overview of Standards and Regulations
For fire protection in server rooms, several regulations are relevant, which are weighted differently depending on the project type and building use:
BetrSichV – Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health: Obligation for risk assessment and regular inspection of technical equipment
DGUV Regulation 3 – Inspection of electrical installations and equipment, basis for fire safety of electrical infrastructure
DIN 4102 / F90 – Fire resistance classes for building components; F90 as a minimum requirement for server room partitions
DIN EN 1047-2 Requirements for fire-resistant containers and rooms for the protection of data media
DIN 18095 – Requirements for smoke control doors, including mandatory self-closing
ASR A2.2 – Technical Rule for Workplaces: Fire Prevention Measures, Basis for Fire Extinguishers and Fire Protection Organization
EN 50600 European Standard for the Planning, Construction, and Operation of Data Centers
The specific requirements depend on the building's usage class and the respective federal state. For renovations of existing buildings, early coordination with the responsible building authority is generally unavoidable.
Retrofitting
Many server rooms were built before today's fire safety requirements were in place. Those who want to bring these locations up to current standards face the challenge that the systems must continue to run and operations cannot be interrupted.
Daterra proceeds in a structured manner:
- File analysis: Which components no longer comply with the current regulations?
- Shift concept Install new systems while the existing ones are still active
- Cross-trade coordination between fire protection, air conditioning, and power supply
- Phased implementation with defined handover points and acceptance of each phase
This approach is more time-consuming than starting from scratch, but it is the reality in the vast majority of projects. Telecommunications data centers in particular, with availability requirements of 99.99 % and higher, leave no other option.
Fire Protection for Telecommunications Data Centers
Telecommunications data centers place higher demands than traditional enterprise server rooms. Carriers, network operators, and colocation providers work with availability requirements where even short interruptions are not tolerable. Standard solutions fall short here.
TK-specific fire protection requirements:
- Redundancy of all safety-relevant systems, including fire alarm systems and extinguishing systems
- Seismic resistance of the plant and its anchors
- Wind load calculation for exposed locations or roof structures
- increased room tightness for gas suppression systems to ensure holding time
- Coordination of the fire protection concept with the redundancy concepts for power and cooling
Daterra's performance regarding fire protection in the server room
Daterra takes on fire protection projects in various roles, depending on what the project requires:
Consulting and concept development
Building law review and approval planning
Work coordination
General Contractor or Project Management
Modernization during ongoing operations:
Cost Estimation:
Frequently Asked Questions about Fire Safety in Server Rooms
Which extinguishing system is suitable for a server room?
Gas extinguishing systems are the preferred solution: residue-free, without damage to IT infrastructure. Inert gases such as argon or Inergen, as well as chemical extinguishing agents like Novec 1230 or FM-200, are used. Water mist systems are an option as an alternative. Conventional sprinklers are generally ruled out for server rooms, as water ingress destroys the hardware.
When is an automatic fire suppression system mandatory?
There is no general legal obligation. The requirements arise from the risk assessment, state building codes, and insurance specifications. For telecommunications data centers and critical infrastructure (KRITIS) relevant locations, increased availability requirements practically necessitate an automatic fire suppression system.
How long does a gas suppression system keep the fire under control?
A gas extinguishing system builds up the necessary extinguishing agent concentration within seconds. The subsequent hold time, during which re-ignition is prevented, typically lasts 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the system and room design. Sufficient room tightness is a prerequisite.
What does a fire protection concept for a server room cost?
A flat-rate estimate is not possible, as room size, equipment, and system choice determine the costs. As part of project development, Daterra creates a reliable cost estimate and shows where savings potential exists without compromising the protection level.
Can fire protection be retrofitted without interrupting operations?
Yes, with proper planning. The prerequisite is a switchover concept that allows new systems to be installed while the existing ones are still active. Implementation will occur in phases, so that at no point is there a complete loss of protection.
What is the difference between structural and equipment-based fire protection?
Structural fire protection limits the spread of fire and smoke through the building's construction: fire-resistant walls, fire doors, cable penetrations. Systemic fire protection includes systems for detecting and combating fires: fire alarm systems, smoke detection systems, extinguishing systems. Both areas must be planned in coordination with each other.