LWF PROFESSIONAL BULLETINFire protection of electronic equipment installations BS 6266: 2002 – Code of Practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations was published by the Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 20 December 2002. Its long preparation had been directed by the Health and Environment Policy and Strategy Committee. Previous editions, such as BS 6266: 1992: Code of Practice for the fire protection for data processing installations, had centred on fire protection of centralised data processing installations and computer rooms the nerve centres of many industrial and commercial operations. The earlier versions of this standard provided clear guidance on the fire protection of central mainframe computers and/or data communication centres. Replacing such high-value equipment used to be problematic, and often lead to significant business interruption if essential systems were taken out of service for long periods. In recent times, however, the speed of technological advances have seen the introduction of networked systems. Modern equipment and standards have allowed essential communications equipment to be replaced at a lower cost and with much less business downtime. Although centralised computer rooms and communications centres still exist, the scope of the new standard has been broadened to include all electronic equipment, from the most basic to the most complex, and not just traditional data processing installations. The numerous references in the 1992 standard relating to the use of Halon fixed suppression systems (prohibited since 31 December 2002 under EU Regulation, except for certain critical applications) meant that it needed urgent revision. The latest standard also takes account of the new and improved forms of automatic fire detection systems now available. BS 6266: 2002 also strongly emphasises the need to undertake a risk assessment – this is seen as an essential step before specifying any electronic equipment installation. The risk assessment should also take account of the building, environment and the design of any proposed fire protection systems. Due to the standardised fashion in which modern is designed and manufactured one could argue that its fire risk is inherently low, so a major fire in an electronic installation should be a rare occurrence. But electronic equipment is usually susceptible to both thermal and non-thermal damage (e.g. smoke, corrosive fumes, liquids) and so other ignition sources in the area must also be considered, as well as the risk of fire spread from adjacent areas where the quality of passive separation is not what it could be. Other risks might include: • Air handling equipment • Hot works/maintenance • Deliberate ignition • Smoking • Poor housekeeping • Fires from adjacent areas or buildings • Any supporting electrical equipment and installations (power supplies, control equipment and switchgear). Once carried out, all risk assessments must be continually updated because changes and modifications to existing equipment are commonplace and new risks, as detailed in the above list, might have appeared. The type of electronic equipment, together with any other additional fire risks, will all have some bearing on the choice of fire protection systems, including any associated risks from outside the confines of the electronic installation. One of the most important factors to consider during the risk assessment process is the impact of both the direct and indirect (consequential) costs and losses that may be borne by an organisation if a fire damages essential electronic equipment. The resulting damage can vary considerably from business to business, especially if the organisation depends on continued and unaffected operation of an electronic installation. One option is to duplicate a data processing operation at a separate offsite facility. This means that any fire affecting equipment at either location would not cause major business interruption and losses through lost or irretrievable information or essential databases, but merely restrict the losses to the cost of replacement equipment. The standard also provides more comprehensive advice on business contingency planning that may allow fewer fire protection systems, with a considerable saving (i.e. the provision of an automatic fire detection system with portable fire extinguishers as opposed to an automatic fire detection system and an automatic fixed fire suppression installation such as CO2, FM 200 or Inergen). So all interested parties should consider the potential for business interruption separately from material damage. The potential for business interruption can vary over time as the level of dependence on electronic equipment changes or the organisation’s contingency plans are modified. Periodically reviewing the standard of fire protection is therefore essential. operator area of Call Centre. • Tolerance to system downtime • These categories can be used to determine the type and level of fire prevention and protection as appropriate.Slight B . the following factors should be taken into account:i Based on this list. Category ‘C’ . for example floppy/zip disks or CDR f) Potential for business interruption is slight Examples of category A electronic equipment installations are: typically small electronic office. These are: A . Category ‘B’ – Lowiii a) Modern commercial / industrial environment b) Personal computers – networked c) Equipment is standard and easily replaceable d) Operations can be transferable to another location with some difficulty e) Files cab be backed up periodically on central server f) Loss can affect a number of PCs or central storage facility g) Potential for business interruption is low Examples of category B electronic equipment installations are: typical/small medium businesses – critical files can be backed up periodically on central server. CAD office. central CAD/CAM operation.When assessing the vulnerability of electronic equipment installations to loss or damage from fire.Low Equipment redundancy C .Slightii a) Modern small office environment b) Personal computers – not networked c) Equipment is standard and easily replaceable d) Operations can be transferable to another location without great difficulty e) Critical files can be backed up periodically.Critical • Business continuity plans. MS39 – Fire protection of electronic equipment installations . where alternative Call Centre operations exist. the new code categorises electronic equipment in order of criticality. The typical features of the individual categories are detailed in the new code as follows: Category ‘A’ . small business telephone PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange).High • Specific environmental operational requirements E .Moderateiv a) Dedicated equipment room b) Centralised server/computer facility c) Equipment is standard but not immediately replaceable d) Operations can be transferable to another location with some difficulty e) Files can be backed up periodically on central server f) Loss affects short term business operations Examples of category C electronic equipment installations are: dedicated support systems for Category B operation.Moderate • Replacement availability D . commercial departments. Call Centre communication facilities. see BS 5839-1 and Annex A. Category ‘E’ – Criticalvi a) Dedicated premises b) Centralised server/computer facilities c) Equipment is high value or purpose built and not replaceable d) Operations are not easily transferable without extensive and regularly tested contingency plans e) Data is backed up on a continual basis on a central server(s) and/or remotely f) No or negligible downtime tolerable Examples of category E electronic equipment installations are: financial dealing computer operations. see BS 5839-1 and Annex A. internet hosting centres. For each of the risk categories listed above Annex B of BS: 6266 provides typical features of fire detection systems and fire suppressions systems. Portable fire extinguishers as first aid fire fighting Automatic fixed fire suppression Aspirating smoke detection to monitor return air flows. A dedicated smoke detection system interfaced with the main building system. A smoke detection system as part of the main building system. see BS 5839-1 and Annex A. Automatic fixed fire suppression unless there is a robust disaster plan. production control computers. Portable fire extinguishers as first aid fire-fighting. see BS 5839-1. Fire Suppression System Portable fire extinguishers as first aid fire-fighting. Portable fire extinguishers as first aid fire-fighting. Automatic fixed fire suppression where early fire fighting action is unlikely. air traffic control facilities. Portable fire extinguishers as first aid fire-fighting. see BS 5839-1:2002. MS39 – Fire protection of electronic equipment installations . A dedicated smoke detection system interfaced with the main building system.Category ‘D’ – Highv a) Dedicated equipment room(s) b) Centralised server/computer facility c) Equipment can be non-standard and not replaceable in the short term d) Operations not easily transferable without robust contingency plans e) Files cab be backed up periodically on central server f) Loss affects medium-term business operations Examples of category D electronic equipment installations are: Main IT facility. nuclear and chemical plant control facilities. Aspirating smoke detection to monitor return air flows. A smoke detection system as part of the main building system. They are:vii Risk Cat A B C D E Fire Detection System A manual system might be adequate. major telecommunication facility. Category M. ranging from the personal computer in the office environment to mainframe processing equipment in critical applications. Frank Smith. December 2002. Thus the standard differentiates between different categories of electronic equipment. December 2002. BSI Publications. vi BS 6266:2002: . but from the consequences of fire loss. Second Revision. It is therefore essential that the specifier and installer of the electronic equipment. Second Revision. BSI Publications. Lawrence Webster Forrest Limited LWF are fire and engineering consultants with specialist expertise in fire safety. use and compatibility with any disaster contingency plans. iv BS 6266:2002: . It is extremely important that both direct and indirect losses (consequential) are considered because the extensive use of fire protection systems in electronic installations arises not from a high probability of fire. the new code of practice recognises the fact that ‘it is not the cost of equipment that is generally the most important factor when determining an appropriate level of protection but the consequential losses associated with downtime of equipment. BSI Publications. There will also be a need to assess the risks on a periodic basis to ensure that any changes or modifications to the equipment. BSI Publications. commerce and industry and work in some of the country’s most prestigious buildings. its environment. iii BS 6266:2002: .viii Should you wish to receive any further information on LWF and the services we provide please contact our Marketing Department. Second Revision. December 2002. and indicates appropriate strategies for these differing levels of risk’. December 2002. fire safety engineering commissions. BSI Publications.Code of Practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations. While most modern electronic equipment has a relatively low fire risk. and electrical and mechanical fire systems. Fire Protection Association. preparation of emergency procedures.Code of Practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations. December 2002. Second Revision.Code of Practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations.As can be seen from the tables above and the comments given below from one of the lead authors of the original draft code of practice. Second Revision.Code of Practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations. surrounding components or adjacent factors may give rise to additional hazards. August 2001. December 2002. the client’s risk manager and the fire engineer should all communicate with each other as soon as possible. use and compatibility with any disaster contingency plans are accounted for and all foreseeable risks minimised. viii Article entitled ‘Brave New World’.co. its environment.lwf.uk www. BSI Publications. So an electronic installation fire protection strategy that is aimed solely at fires that start in the equipment should be seen as inadequate. LWF provide services to government. nor from a significant hazard to life. BS 6266:2002: . 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[email protected] of Practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations.co. vii BS 6266:2002: . LWF undertake fire safety training and audits. ii BS 6266:2002: . Issue 347. fire risk assessments. Fire Prevention Journal. healthcare.Code of Practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations. It is therefore essential that organisations and businesses establish an ongoing process of re-assessment to reflect the inherent fire risks associated with changes and modifications to new or existing equipment. Second Revision. BSI Publications. A wide range of supplementary services is provided including the project management of fire related works installation and commissioning.uk Copyright Lawrence Webster Forrest Limited i Conclusion The level of fire protection afforded to electronic installations can vary significantly. MS39 – Fire protection of electronic equipment installations .Code of Practice for fire protection for electronic equipment installations. Second Revision. December 2002. v BS 6266:2002: .