TH143406A - Methods and devices for suppressing data center fires via hot / cold air corridors - Google Patents

Abstract

DC60 (28/10/56) A method and apparatus for suppressing a data center fire through a hot/cold air corridor according to various aspects of the invention shall include a sensing system portion arranged near the side of the computer cabinet facing the hot air corridor, and an exhaust system arranged within the subfloor such that a cooled air stream is directed upwards from the subfloor through one or more exhaust ducts in the subfloor and into the cold air corridor. The sensing system may be arranged to detect a fire condition, such as smoke escaping from a cabinet, and in response generate a signal that will trigger the exhaust system. The exhaust system may be configured to spray extinguishing agent onto the cooled air stream, whereby the cooled air stream may assist in feeding the extinguishing agent to the cooled air corridor and the computer cabinet. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A method and apparatus for suppressing a data center fire through a hot/cold air corridor according to various aspects of the invention shall include a sensing system portion arranged near the side of the computer cabinet facing the hot air corridor. and an exhaust system configured within the subfloor with a cooling air stream directed upward from the subfloor through one or more exhaust ducts in the subfloor and into the cold air aisle. The sensing system may be configured to detect a fire condition, such as smoke emanating from a cabinet, and in response to generate a signal that will trigger the exhaust system. The exhaust system is configured to spray extinguishing agent onto the cooling air stream, whereby the cooling air stream may assist in feeding the extinguishing agent to the cooling air aisle and the computer cabinet. Edit Abstract 28/10/2015 Methods and devices for suppressing a data center fire through a hot/cold air aisle according to various aspects of the invention include a sensing system configured proximal to the side of the computer cabinet facing the hot air aisle, and an exhaust system configured within the subfloor with a cooling air stream directed upward from the subfloor through one or more exhaust ducts in the subfloor and into the cold air aisle. The sensing system may be configured A method for detecting a fire condition, such as smoke escaping from a cabinet, and responding to generate a signal that will trigger an exhaust system. The exhaust system may be configured to spray extinguishing agent onto a cooling air stream, wherein the cooling air stream may assist in feeding the extinguishing agent to the cold air aisles and computer cabinets. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A method and apparatus for suppressing a data center fire through a hot/cold air aisle according to various aspects of the present invention includes a sensing system portion configured near the side of the computer cabinet facing the hot air aisle, and an exhaust system configured within a subfloor with a cooling air stream directed upwards from the subfloor through one or more exhaust ducts in the subfloor and into the cold air aisle. The detection system may be configured to detect a fire condition, such as smoke escaping from a cabinet, and responding to generate a signal that will trigger an exhaust system. The exhaust system is configured to spray extinguishing agent onto a cooling air stream, wherein the cooling air stream may assist in feeding the extinguishing agent to the cold air aisles and computer cabinets.

Claims (9)

All rights reserved which will not appear on the advertisement page: Edited 28/10/2015 1. A fire suppression system for multiple computer cabinets located in a closed environment separated from the basement by a layer of exhaust ducts, wherein the cooling air stream is directed into the enclosed environment through the exhaust ducts, comprising: a detection-responsive exhaust system, wherein the exhaust system comprises a set of dispersion devices arranged within the basement, wherein a first dispersion device of said set of dispersion devices is positioned just below a first exhaust pipe separating the basement from the inlet side of the first computer cabinet of said multiple computer cabinet; a second exhaust pipe of said exhaust pipe separating the basement from the inlet side of the second computer cabinet of said multiple computer cabinet; each dispersing device of said dispersion device is configured to discharge extinguishing agent to a specific area adjacent to its exhaust pipe, and the extinguishing agent is fed to the inlets of the first and second computer cabinets by an upward cooling air stream. Above from the first and second exhaust pipes to the input side of the cabinet, first and second computers. 2. The fire suppression system of claim 1, further comprising a sensing system configured to be connected to the exhaust sides of the first and second computer cabinets, wherein the sensing system: is exposed to a stream of heated air emitted from the exhaust sides of the first and second computer cabinets, and is adjusted to generate a sensing signal in response to the detected fire condition. 3. The fire suppression system according to claim 2, further comprising a control system linked by means of communication with a detection system and an ejection system, wherein the control system responds to a detection signal and is configured to trigger the ejection system in response to the detection signal. 4. The fire suppression system according to claim 3, wherein the control system is adjusted to control the release of the fire extinguishing agent by the discharge system. 5. The fire suppression system according to claim 4, wherein the sensing system is also adjusted to generate a second sensing signal in response to at least one continuing fire condition and at least one re-ignition condition, and the control system, in response to the second sensing signal, is also adjusted to trigger the discharge system to release an additional quantity of extinguishing agent. 6. The fire suppression system according to claim 3, wherein the first dispersion device, the first exhaust duct, and the first computer cabinet define a first boundary within the enclosed environment; the second dispersion device, the second exhaust duct, and the second computer cabinet define a second boundary within the enclosed environment; the sensing system is exposed to a stream of heated air emitted from the outlet side of the second computer cabinet and is adjusted to: generate a first detection signal as the first detection signal in response to a fire condition detected within the first boundary; and generate a second detection signal in response to a fire condition detected within the second boundary; and the control system responds to the first and second detection signals and is configured to cause the system to: release the extinguishing agent through the first dispersion device in response to the first detection signal; and release the extinguishing agent through the second dispersion device in response to the second detection signal. 7. The fire suppression system according to claim 1, wherein the discharge system further comprises: a container configured to contain the extinguishing agent, and a delivery system connected between the container and the dispersing device assembly, wherein the delivery system is configured to provide a conduit for the extinguishing agent from the container to the dispersing device assembly. 8. The fire suppression system of claim 7, wherein the container comprises: a pressure-adjustable container configured to contain the extinguishing agent at a predetermined pressure, and a fitting valve connected between the pressure-adjustable container and the delivery system, wherein the fitting valve is adjusted to control the rate of release of the extinguishing agent to the delivery system. 9. A fire suppression system according to claim 1, wherein each dispersing device comprises a spray nozzle arranged in the subfloor and adjacent to its exhaust duct. 1. A fire suppression system for a series of computer cabinets located in a closed environment with a cooling air stream directed to the closed environment through the exhaust ducts, comprising: a detection-responsive discharge system comprising a set of dispersing devices, wherein a first dispersing device from the series of dispersing devices is arranged proximal to a first exhaust duct from the exhaust ducts and configured to discharge extinguishing agent to an area proximal to the first exhaust duct; a second dispersing device from the series of dispersing devices is arranged proximal to a second exhaust duct from the exhaust ducts and configured to discharge extinguishing agent to an area proximal to the second exhaust duct; and the extinguishing agent discharged is fed to the inlet side of the computer cabinets. By a stream of cooled air flowing through a plurality of exhaust ducts to the intake side of the plurality of computer cabinets 1, the fire suppression system of claim 10 further comprising a sensing system configured to be connected to the exhaust side of the plurality of computer cabinets, wherein the sensing system: is exposed to a stream of heated air emitted from the exhaust side of the plurality of computer cabinets and is adjusted to generate a detection signal in response to a detected fire condition 1, the fire suppression system of claim 11, wherein the discharge system further comprising: a container configured to contain the extinguishing agent, and a feed system connected between the container and a set of dispersing devices, wherein the feed system is configured to provide a conduit for the extinguishing agent from the container to the set of dispersing devices 1, the fire suppression system of claim 12, wherein the container further comprising: a pressurized container configured to contain the extinguishing agent at a predetermined pressure, and a fitting valve connected to the pressurized container, wherein the fitting valve is adjusted to Controlling the rate of release of extinguishing agent per feed system 1; the fire suppression system of claim 11, further comprising a control system, linked by communication with a sensing and discharge system, wherein the control system, responding to a detection signal and configured to trigger the discharge system in response to the detection signal 1; the fire suppression system of claim 10, wherein each dispersing device from the array of dispersing devices comprises a spray nozzle disposed adjacent to at least one exhaust duct from the array of exhaust ducts 1; the method of providing fire suppression to multiple computer cabinets located in a closed environment with a basement floor having a cooling air stream, comprising: locating the array of dispersing devices adjacent to the exhaust ducts in a basement floor adjacent to the computer cabinets, wherein the dispersing devices are configured to discharge extinguishing agent to an area adjacent to the exhaust ducts, and the released extinguishing agent is fed to the intake side of the computer cabinets by an upward cooling air stream from the rack. Under the floor via a plurality of exhaust ducts to the inlet side of the plurality of computer cabinets 1. The method of providing fire suppression to the plurality of computer cabinets according to claim 16, further comprising locating a sensor proximal to the outlet side of the plurality of computer cabinets, wherein the sensor is adjusted to generate a detection signal in response to a fire condition detected within the plurality of computer cabinets 1. The method of providing fire suppression to the plurality of computer cabinets according to claim 17, further comprising processing the detection signal by a control system connected to the sensor and a set of distribution devices, wherein the control system is adjusted to actuate the set of distribution devices in response to the processed detection signal 1. The method of providing fire suppression to the plurality of computer cabinets according to claim 18, further comprising controlling the quantity of extinguishing agent to be released from the set of distribution devices by a control system 2. The method of providing fire suppression to the plurality of computer cabinets according to claim 16, wherein the release of the extinguishing agent to an area adjacent to the plurality of exhaust ducts comprises: routing the extinguishing agent from the storage container through a supplied delivery system. Placed within the subfloor to a set of equipment for dispersing and distributing the extinguishing agent into the air stream in the area near several exhaust pipes. ------------------------------------------