Emergency planning for continuous operations
Planning for emergencies ensures that your data center continues to operate in the event of a power outage.
If a power outage occurs, continued operation depends on information stored on cards, tapes, or disks, and the equipment used to process the information being available immediately. Arrangements should be made for emergency use of other equipment and transportation of personnel, data, and supplies to a temporary location. Arrangements should also be made to ensure the continuous operation of environment equipment, such as air conditioning. Duplicate or master records and programming data should be maintained in a remote area, from which the necessary information can be taken to resume operation.
Precautions and personnel training
Further plans should include training of personnel to act in an emergency situation.
- Sound alarm signals for fire detection and for other abnormal conditions to familiarize personnel with the alarm.
- Monitor the computer room, air conditioning equipment room, and electrical and data storage room at all times.
- Inspect steam pipes and water pipes above the false ceiling to guard against possible damage due to accidental breakage, leakage, or condensation.
- Locate emergency exit doors in the computer area. The number of
doors depends on the size and location of the area. Train personnel
in emergency measures such as:
- Shutting off all electrical power
- Shutting off the air conditioning system
- Shutting off the chilled water to the information technology equipment
- Calling the fire company
- Handling fire extinguishers in the approved manner
- Operating a small-diameter fire hose
- Evacuating records
- Evacuating personnel
- Administering first aid
Lightning protection for communication wiring
Be sure to install lightning protection devices to protect communication wiring and equipment from surges and transients induced into the communication wiring. In any area subject to lightning, surge suppressors should be installed at each end of every outdoor cable installation, whether installed above the ground (aerial) or buried below the ground.
Information about lightning surge suppressors for communication wiring and recommended methods for outdoor communication cables can be found in the information technology product's physical planning documentation.
