Top 5 Signs of Reliable Fire Suppression System Installations

February 4, 2025

Introduction

With its cables, plugs, and 24/7 runtime, most IT equipment is susceptible to overheating and causing fire. Hardware is particularly vulnerable in tropical climates like the Philippines, where temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius during the dry months.

Proper fire suppression system installation inside technological hubs is paramount to address such risks. Sure, only a few data center and server room fires have made the headlines in recent years, but that’s not enough reason to be ill-prepared. Remember, severe fire damage may cost your organization more than the price of your equipment. The resulting downtime might inconvenience end users or, worse, erode public trust. To avoid consequences, it is wise to install a fire suppression system in your building. However, don’t just trust anyone to set it up; look for professionals who provide fault-free services. Read this guide by InfoBahn Communications, Inc. to learn what signs to look for when dealing with third-party fire suppression system installers.

How Does a Fire Suppression System Work?

Fire suppression systems enable early fire prevention by detecting heat and smoke in a room. The system can be programmed to sound an alarm and notify the building staff. Meanwhile, some organizations opt to program it so that the system activates a fire-suppressing agent to minimize damage.

Many assume automatic water sprinklers are the same as fire suppression systems, but suppressing agents aren’t limited to water. A fire suppression system is the umbrella term for technologies that prevent fire using agents such as water, gas, foam, and pneumatic heat tubes. Residential and public spaces usually use water mist systems. Unlike sprinklers, they release smaller droplets, so the place needing protection will not flood or sustain water damage.

Meanwhile, rooms full of electronics, like server rooms and data centers, often opt for gas systems. This suppression method uses liquids pressurized with nitrogen to prevent fire from spreading. It doesn’t use water, making it perfect for preserving IT equipment.

5 Signs of a Reliable IT Fire Suppression System Installation

A fire suppression system, at its core, prevents the spread of fire. However, the details involved in installing it will vary depending on the space it’s for. If your organization plans to install the system to protect your IT equipment, you need service providers who know the intricacies of data centers and server rooms to ensure the fire can be controlled while preventing inconvenience and unwanted hardware malfunction.

To determine which fire suppression system installation service best fits your needs, here are signs you need to look for:

Detailed Consultation Prior to Design

A reliable service provider does not immediately jump into a project without consulting its client. When you hire an installer, expect that you’ll have to discuss your fire suppression installation needs in detail. Some information you might be asked for includes:

The size of your space
The number of people using the space (if any)
The type of equipment you have
Whether you want a retrofit or an overhaul of the existing system
Your budget

Fire protection experts should also welcome your questions and inquiries about the system and suppression agents they use, their usual project timeline, and their credentials. After an in-depth discussion, the service provider can provide design proposals for the system.

Note that installing a fire suppression system involves seamless collaboration between multiple departments. In addition to fire protection consultants and designers, you will interact with plumbing, electrical, and IT professionals to ensure that every system component works as intended.

Strict Compliance With Safety Protocols

Your chosen installer should be knowledgeable of fire codes and regulations and ensure compliance in all aspects. An indicator of your service provider’s reliability is that they will start the project by inspecting your space thoroughly to determine which type of suppression system will work best. They will also identify potential hazards and create a plan to reduce the risks posed, adding solutions for storage and enhancing ventilation design if needed.

Once they have completed their assessment, experts will use industry-grade materials and components to set up the fire suppression system. As mentioned, gas systems are the usual choice for IT equipment rooms. However, unless your installer provides a very good explanation for choosing a water-based agent, you might want to consider hiring a more reliable one.

Fire suppression system installation may cost a lot if you have a large space to protect from fire. Government data centers, for instance, require a spacious location to house servers that efficiently hold a large volume of sensitive information. Ensuring you’re hiring a reliable fire suppression system installer will help you spend what’s only necessary and not pay for damages caused by substandard installation.

Appropriate System Size and Type

The right fire suppression system installer should be able to determine the system type and size appropriate for your unique needs. Moreover, they should be able to explain the rationale behind their recommendations. Reliable service providers are experts in what they do and skilled in educating their non-expert clients.

Explaining and rationalizing why the fire suppression system is designed a certain way also shows that your service provider is transparent and confident in their knowledge and capabilities.

Clear Directions on Operating the System

While automatic fire suppression systems should reduce fire risks, it’s crucial for building occupants to know how to use them in an emergency. Installation professionals should teach staff members what to do when the fire alarm sounds, where the main shutoff valves are, and how to activate manual controls if necessary.

In addition to teaching occupants about the fire suppression system, experts should provide helpful tips on how to evacuate during a fire. While data facilities are not crowded like normal offices, a few people still occupy the space; their safety, not the equipment, should be a priority.

Use of Automation and Wireless Network

If you’re protecting a data center from a fire, it’s only fitting to use digital solutions to operate the suppression system installed there. Automation and wireless technology systematically connect components so they activate when faced with a fire hazard, allowing seamless operation and easy monitoring in a single platform. Combine a reliable wireless network with machine learning, and your system might be able to use analytics to point out potential danger points before they become real problems in the future, further lowering the risks of destructive fire.

Using networks to make fire suppression systems function can also protect building occupants more effectively. When the platform is connected to devices, occupants will be notified of a fire hazard through their phones and computers, enabling them to evacuate immediately.

Conclusion

Fire suppression system installations are necessary for facilities that use IT equipment 24/7. The system protects data centers and server rooms from overheating and prevents fires from causing total damage. Suppression systems notify occupants when a hazard appears and activate suppressing agents to extinguish the fire before it spreads.

With the system being crucial to occupant and equipment safety, careful consideration should be given when you choose an installer to set up your fire suppression system. A reliable service provider partnered with equally reliable IT experts from InfoBahn Communications, Inc. should be able to set up technologies that can bring you peace of mind.

Curious how our company can help? Contact InfoBahn today, and let’s discuss your technology needs.