What is the required fire rating for the walls of a data center?

The walls, floors, and ceilings separating the EDP area from other occupancies must have a fire resistance rating of not less than 120 minutes. (Clause 4.1.2)

Are water sprinklers recommended for data centers?

No, gaseous fire extinguishing systems are preferred to avoid water damage to equipment. A pre-action sprinkler system may be considered as a secondary backup. (Clause 6.3.2)

What type of fire detection is required?

An automatic smoke detection system is mandatory. For early warning, aspirating smoke detection (ASD) systems are highly recommended. (Clause 5.2)

What kind of portable fire extinguishers should be used?

Portable extinguishers of either carbon dioxide (CO2) or clean agent type should be provided near exits and special hazard areas. (Clause 6.2)

IS 12456

: 2004

Fire Protection of Electronic Data Processing Installation - Code of Practice

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Safety

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This code specifies requirements for fire protection in Electronic Data Processing (EDP) installations like data centers and server rooms. It outlines measures for fire prevention, detection, and suppression, focusing on construction, electrical installations, and the use of automatic systems, particularly gaseous agents, to minimize damage to sensitive electronic equipment and ensure business continuity.

Fire Protection of Electronic Data Processing Installation - Code of Practice

Quick Reference Values

minimum fire resistance for walls floors120 min

maximum travel distance to exit15 m

design concentration for co2 system34% by volume for surface fires

combustibles in underfloor spaceNot permitted

minimum headroom in edp room2.4 m

Practical Notes

Clean agent suppression systems (e.g., Novec 1230, FM-200) are highly preferred over CO2 in normally occupied areas due to life safety concerns with CO2.

Close coordination between fire safety and HVAC design is crucial, as high airflow can affect smoke detector performance and requires careful placement or the use of aspirating smoke detection (ASD) systems.

Strict housekeeping is paramount; no combustible storage is permitted in the EDP room, under the raised floor, or above the false ceiling.