Video (Speed Sleeve vs Traditional_Risk Mitigation Data Center.mp4)

Despite the well-known threat that airborne contaminants pose to IT equipment, many data centers unwittingly design risk into their facilities by selecting traditional firestopping materials such as coated firestop batts. When these are repenetrated to accommodate frequent cabling changes, it releases high concentrations of particulate matter into the airflow. To help prevent failures due to airborne contamination, it’s important to specify fiber-free firestopping products.
 
Particulates endanger reliability and energy efficiency
 
As modern IT equipment gets smaller and smaller, it improves efficiency but also increases its susceptibility to problems associated with airborne contaminants in the data center environment.
 
According to ISO 14644-1 ­– the international standard for classifying the cleanliness of the air in cleanrooms and clean zones – most design guidelines recommend that data centers are classified and operated as clean room class 8 environments. Furthermore:
 

“Particulate contamination can increase a data center’s power demand by 2% or more.”

 
While achieving a 100% particle-free environment is neither feasible nor necessary, adhering to recommended contamination limits helps to protect sensitive IT equipment. Unfortunately, frequently used traditional firestopping products introduce a source of contaminants that may compromise data center operations, leading to energy waste and even to unplanned downtime.
 
Cabling changes: a potential source of contamination

Where services such as pipes or cables penetrate through partition walls, firestopping products aim to re-establish the integrity of the wall. In many parts of the world, low-cost firestop mineral wool boards (commonly known as “firestop batt”) are the most widespread method of firestopping such penetrations.

Coated firestop mineral wool board

 
Firestop batt is made of fibers made from metallic ore and igneous rock and is effective at reducing the transmission of heat, flames, toxic smoke and other gases. Although generally perceived to be harmless because a coated layer encloses the fibers once initial installation is complete, the boards are actually a source of significant particle emissions in many data centers.
 
Measuring particulate release during firestop board repenetration

The Fraunhofer IPA Institute (Stuttgart) – specialists in clean room environments – assessed particle concentrations that are released when repenetrating traditional firestop systems.

Measurement of particulate release during firestop board repenetration

 
Fraunhofer concluded: “The repenetration of firestop mineral wool coated board as shown in this test series (adding or changing installed cable trays and/or cable bundles) should be avoided in cleanrooms of any ISO Class acc. ISO 14644-1 due to the high airborne and sedimenting particle emission levels caused by the repenetration activities.”
 
Fiber-free products reduce the risk of airborne contamination
 
As you can see, it is crucial to choose products that not only enable cleanliness at initial construction, but also with each subsequent cabling change. You can help to eliminate future contamination sources at the design phase by selecting fiber-free firestopping materials designed to meet the needs of dynamic cabling environments.
 
For example, firestop pathway devices such as the Hilti Firestop Speed Sleeve not only reduce the risk of airborne contamination, but also reduce the amount of costly, cooled air escaping the data halls.

Firestop Speed Sleeve cable penetrating

Firestop Speed Sleeve closing

 
For larger openings to accommodate multiple services such as cable trays, busbars or ducts, you could consider reusable fiber-free products such as Hilti Firestop Blocks.

The Fraunhofer Institute also tested the Hilti Firestop Block and assessed its particle emission behavior, concluding it is suitable for cleanroom applications from “class 4” to “class 9” (ISO 14644-1).
 
Fiber-free products not only reduce the release airborne contaminants during cabling maintenance, they also reduce total facility cost, In addition, they help enhance security by reducing the need for specialized maintenance personnel during cabling changes.
 

From a long-term perspective, the use of cleaner technologies designed for repenetration not only helps to ensure a longer equipment lifespan and higher energy efficiency, but it also reduces maintenance efforts while keeping the data center flexible for future growth.
 
Wish to find out more? Contact our Firestop Experts here!