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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-NZ link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I remember working at an underground DC (Auckland) that had a spontaneous Halon dump due to a maintenance guy getting too close to one of the sensors and transmitting on his RT (25 years ago). Tiles went flying, luckily no one died. So the 1 minute only applies if everything is working. Part of the procedure if the 1 minute warning lights and sirens went off was for us network guys to check the DC for anyone working inside. As you can imagine we refused to ever carry out that step should the warning occur again. That DC was physically very large and had no portable oxygen systems available, criminal negligence really. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="98%" align=center></div><div id=divRplyFwdMsg><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:black'>From:</span></b><span style='color:black'> AusNOG <<a href="mailto:ausnog-bounces@lists.ausnog.net">ausnog-bounces@lists.ausnog.net</a>> on behalf of Nicholas Hobbs <<a href="mailto:Nicholas.Hobbs@epworth.org.au">Nicholas.Hobbs@epworth.org.au</a>><br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, 13 December 2018 12:54 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:ausnog@lists.ausnog.net">ausnog@lists.ausnog.net</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [AusNOG] [AUSNog] : Re Data Centre Fire Suppression Safety</span> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div><div><div><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'>In our modest sized data centres we have a 1 minute delay timer from VESDA detection of a fire (requiring multiple sensor confirmation) to firing of the gas. Once confirmed, loud hailers and flashing LED signs go off, making it impossible not to know to that you need to evacuate. </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'>Our one minute is based on the maximum time it would take someone to walk to the exit from the furthest point in the room plus a 30 second buffer. </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'>Entry doors have large signs and instructions on what to do which are covered on induction of the very limited number of people allowed in there.</span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'>All of our installs (oldest is 8 years, newest is 2 years) had to be signed off and approved by building and fire inspectors and receive maintenance inspections every 6 months and monthly fire panel operation tests. There was a standard they had to be signed off to, but can’t recall it at the moment. </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'>I’m not across how halon systems we loaded/dispersed, or what system was used in Antarctica (but as it is a power generator room mentioned, assuming they’re still using Halon.), however our systems discharge via an explosive firing pin at the bottle head which is a pretty binary state system and means the pipes are empty. They also have a hardwired pressure sensor that alarms (and sets off the evacuation alarm) if there is a pressure change in the bottle. Best practice also has the bottles in a separate room to the data room. </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'>Pure speculation, however Antarctica’s temperature may have caused unknown factors such as a fractured pipe or valve from extreme exposure over time, or as it was a power generator building, there may have even been a flashover event causing a ‘valid’ discharge. </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'>Nick </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=xmsonormal><span lang=EN-AU style='color:black'> </span><span lang=EN-AU style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></body></html>