Rank: Forum user 
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Hi All,
When conducting a fire risk assessment out in a large server room, what would be the main things that you would look at?
Regards
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi Eddy,
A key thing I would look for in these circumstances would be the fire stopping around breaches where the power and data enter the room. This is always important but especially more so with some fire supression systems.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Is the room being constructed, refurb or in use ??
The main thing I think would be Fire
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Lawlee45239,
Room is in use, has a suppression system (not maintained) and to put it bluntly, holes everywhere!!!
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi I would look at
Fire detection and alarms, use and suitability, including fire suppression and room integrity testing
Means of escape, exit routes, and housekeeping (trailing cables and other trips etc.
Electrical maintenance, testing and records in addition to overloading and power outlets.
Fire stopping and gas detection at cable inlets
On top of all of this I would review the emergency plan, its effectiveness etc as well as passage of information and training required completed etc.
I hope this helps
regards Dave
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Rank: Super forum user
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eddythe eagle wrote:Hi Lawlee45239,
Room is in use, has a suppression system (not maintained) and to put it bluntly, holes everywhere!!!
Do you know what kind?
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Rank: Super forum user
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As this moving from just fire (something I defer to other people on) to more general stuff (which I can talk about until the cows come home!), one issue I would raise is what would happen if the fire suppression system was to be activated with people inside the room? Would the system be disabled if someone was working in the room (you’d need a permit to work system)? If it sdosabled what would you do in case of fire?
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Rank: Super forum user
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A Kurdziel wrote:As this moving from just fire (something I defer to other people on) to more general stuff (which I can talk about until the cows come home!), one issue I would raise is what would happen if the fire suppression system was to be activated with people inside the room? Would the system be disabled if someone was working in the room (you’d need a permit to work system)? If it sdosabled what would you do in case of fire?
Some systems flood with a gas sufficient to allow respiration but not combustion. That said, judging from the picture Eddy is painting, it's unlikely to be one of those. It may have a 30 second pre discharge alarm 'though.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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It depends on why you're doing the assessment. Life safety is relatively simple: personnel affected, ignition, spread, warning, escape to safety. Don't bother with property protection and the effects on other parts of the business, UNLESS this is part of your remit.
Business protection assessment will require a more in-depth study and understanding, including how dependant the organisation is upon this particular service. This will then lead to decisions on the necessary level of detection and protection, such as the points raised by others.
Stick to what's required.
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Rank: Super forum user
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eddythe eagle wrote:Hi Lawlee45239,
Room is in use, has a suppression system (not maintained)......
You mean it's not serviced? Would it actually work in event of a fire?
By the way, if anyone has placed powder fire extinguishers in the room I suggest removing them. Powder is bad for computer hardware.
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi,
It Uses FM200, and no, I do not know if it would work, as no one has ever taken ownership for it!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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David Banister's post above (No 9) hits the mark when he states that to comply with statutory duties, you only need cover life safety control measures. Suppressions systems are rarely (if ever) a life protection system.
If conducting say a FRA under the FSO 2005, I would indeed enter a remark about the failure to maintain the current system, and ask the RP to consult with their insurance company (if they have one) re suppression requirements that may be part of the insurance policy. I would not recommend any other action unless business continuity or property protection was in my remit.
As far as what extra to check for:
Don't forget audibility of the fire alarm sounder, especially if inner rooms or partitions have been created around the servers. Beacons might be required at the end of each server row
Ensure that any special security measure (such as door controls) are easily over ridable in an emergency
Where used, ensure that emergency floor tile removers (suction devices) are available at the extinguisher points to allow rapid access to underfloor services in an emergency
Also check where the CRAC filters are being stored if such a cooling system is in use. I have found (cardboard) boxes of these stored in electrical intake rooms before - not a good practice!
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