Manage Your Data Center Assets with Tangible Results
Manage Your Data Center Assets with Tangible Results
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| The Overlooked Safety Hazards in Data Centers: Preventing Fires and Disasters | ||||||||||||||||||||
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With the global data center market expanding rapidly, safety concerns of the data center are more pressing than ever. According to Uptime Institute's 2023 report, 80% of data center outages stem from equipment failures, with battery issues leading to costly disruptions and safety hazards. Most of the time, safety hazards lead to thermal runaway that causes fires or explosions despite regular maintenance. Let's see how Kevin, the facility manager at a large data center in Arizona, faced severe consequences due to the same reason and learned the importance of robust safety and monitoring protocols for batteries the hard way.  Safety Hazards Lead to Accident in Data Center Kevin's facility hosted critical data for various industries. Like all data centers, it relied heavily on Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) to maintain continuous operations during power outages. The UPS essentially acts as a backup power system, instantly supplying electricity to critical equipment to prevent interruptions. They often age faster in high-heat environments. It shortens their lifespan. Batteries are routinely checked every quarter, and mostly needed to be replaced every four years, costing millions. Thus, effective temperature management becomes crucial for data center safety. The real concern emerged one hot summer afternoon when an unexpected spike in battery temperature brought a safety hazard to the forefront that had slipped under the radar. The real concern emerged one hot summer afternoon when an unexpected spike in battery temperature brought a safety hazard to the forefront that had slipped under the radar. Kevin was caught off guard when a sudden report came in that battery temperature at the data center had soared dangerously close to 110°F. A Crisis Ignited: The Hidden Dangers of Overheating UPS Batteries Despite preventive measures (PM), a sudden 'thermal runaway' ignited a rapid chain reaction in the battery cells. High temperatures in UPS batteries create major risks by accelerating chemical reactions which leads to a thermal runaway which can potentially cause fires or explosions. The fire had spread swiftly, injuring an employee and plunging the entire center into darkness, bringing operations to a grinding halt for hours. The fire had spread swiftly, injuring an employee and plunging the entire center into darkness, bringing operations to a grinding halt for hours. Upon investigation, it was found that poor ventilation, overcharging, and heavy load demands were primary contributors to the safety risks at the data center. These factors had gradually increased internal resistance and heat, turning them into significant safety hazards over time. Extreme heat degraded the batteries faster than expected, increasing their susceptibility to catastrophic failures, including fires. However, clients experienced significant service disruptions, which led to immediate financial losses and reputational harm for the organization. As operations ground to a halt, every passing minute resulted in mounting costs, affecting client trust and satisfaction. However, clients experienced significant service disruptions, which led to immediate financial losses and reputational harm for the organization. Kevin's team worked tirelessly to contain the damage but the challenge of mitigating the fallout from the incident added pressure as restoring service was critical not just for revenue but also for maintaining long-term relationships with their clients. The fallout was personally grueling for Kevin, who felt the weight of responsibility. As facility manager, he was answerable to upper management and clients alike, each demanding an explanation for how this could happen. As facility manager, he was answerable to upper management and clients alike, each demanding an explanation for how this could happen. Facing such scrutiny, Kevin felt both guilt and frustration, unsure how he could prevent future incidents and overwhelmed by the pressure to address the risks high-temperature batteries posed. Yet, without a clear, preventive solution, the danger felt inescapable, plunging Kevin into an emotional turmoil. The fear of another disaster, especially as the injury of a team member during the incident raised serious questions about his own responsibility as facility manager, burdened him with the weight of accountability, wondering what could have happened if the situation had escalated further. This uncertainty left him in a fix, unsure of how to move forward and prevent future hazards from jeopardizing the safety of his team and the integrity of the data center. This uncertainty left him in a fix , unsure of how to move forward and prevent future hazards from jeopardizing the safety of his team and the integrity of the data center. A Comprehensive, Proactive Solution to Ensure Safety and Reliability Despite all precautions, Kevin lacked a fail-safe method to avert such incidents, which made him realize he needed a comprehensive, active solution to safeguard both the center and his own reputation. While talking to some industry experts, Kevin came across Keyitec known for their comprehensive battery management.  Keyitec's comprehensive monitoring and battery management system resolved these issues with precise real-time tracking of battery conditions. Keyitec's comprehensive monitoring and battery management system resolved these issues with precise real-time tracking of battery conditions. Every 10 to 20 seconds, sensors monitor temperature, voltage, and impedance levels, allowing Kevin's team to detect even minor deviations instantly. With Keyitec's dashboard and 24/7 monitoring, Kevin's team gained the ability to catch overheating, overvoltage, and impedance spikes before they escalate, actively extending battery life and significantly reducing costs.
Kevin's data center benefitted from this continuous, automated monitoring that ensures real-time issue detection, minimizing the risk of downtime and maximizing operational reliability. A Safer Facility and Renewed Confidence With Keyitec's advanced monitoring solution in place, Kevin's facility transformed into a safer, more resilient operation, effectively preventing a repeat of the hazardous incident and eliminating potential fire risks. Real-time, active monitoring extended battery life by over five years, delivering millions in savings on replacements and substantially reducing maintenance costs. Kevin's experience underscores the critical role of reliable monitoring in mitigating safety risks and operational disruptions in high-demand environments like data centers. For facilities operating under intense loads, Keyitec offers an unmatched advantage – comprehensive protection, substantial cost savings, and the confidence that every aspect of battery health is actively safeguarded. Facility managers and operators can now focus on growth, knowing their critical infrastructure is in safe hands. Revolutionize your battery management with real-time, proactive monitoring solutions from Keyitec! Contact us!Powered by MarketEngine from StartupWind
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