Data Centres can be exciting places, however it’s important to remember that these places are critical infrastructure and most facilities have strict rules in place to help reduce the likelihood of any incidents.

1. No Cardboard In Racks

If there is one thing staff hate and fear most, it’s Cardboard or loose paper in data halls. The number 1 enemy of data centres is fire and cardboard is extremely flammable and as it breaks down flammable cardboard dust gets into the air and is deposited into nearby equipment. Many facilities will provide plastic tubs to bring equipment into the data halls and require all paperwork like manuals be in plastic bags or sealed tubs if storing them in your rack.

2. No consumer powerboards

Overloaded power circuits and improper electrical practices are major causes of fire. Most reputable data centres have bans on these and will regularly keep an eye out for customers using household power boards. If you run out of outlets ask the staff to see what options are available.

3. Do Not Unpack Equipment in Data Halls or Computer Rooms

Unpacking equipment can make a mess with cardboard and polystyrene going all over the place. Most facilities will have private staging rooms you can book to unbox and test equipment or have a specific place. Trolleys and server lifts are usually available on request. Be sure to dispose of this waste as per the facility’s guidelines.

3. Absolutely No Food & Drinks In Data Halls

Spilled drinks are a nightmare to clean and can cause major damage, especially if it leaks under false floors. No one also wants to find the sandwich or apple that you accidentally forgot about at the bottom of the server rack (It happens and it’s not pretty). There will be dedicated kitchen area’s for eating and food preparation in most facilities.

4. Do Not Prop Open Doors

Doors play a major component for the security, airflow and fire containment of the building. If you need to go in and out of a door or have a reason for keeping it open, let staff know and ask for permission first.

This includes hot/cold aisle containment doors, while it’s convenient and sometimes more comfortable to leave them open to get a cool breeze temperatures within that row will start to increase and potentially start setting off alarms.

5. No Photography And Recording Without Permission

Data Centres host servers from a wide range of companies and many of them take privacy very seriously. Different facilities will be stricter than others with some outright prohibiting any devices with cameras and holding onto phones when you sign in.
Always ask for permission from staff, some providers will go as far as banning you from the facility and seizing the device if they catch you! Never install your own cameras in your rack without permission.

6. Keep Your ID Badge Visible At All Times & Do Not Share Passes

ID Badges are used by Data Centre staff to confirm the identity of who is visiting the site and what type of visitor they are. The lack ID can lead to you being escorted out of the facility or in the case of sharing ID Badges your access permanently revoked.

7. Do not perform work on equipment outside of your rack without prior approval

It goes without saying, but it does have to be said as it does happen! Never start ripping up floor tiles, adjusting airconditioners, running cabling between racks or resetting circuit breakers without the express permission of data centre staff.

8. Under No Exception Perform Any ‘Hot works’ or Actions Likely to Generate Heat or Release Particles Into The Air

Almost all commercial data centres will have sophisticated Fire Detection & Suppression systems which rely on either or a combination of Heat Monitoring and air sampling. If equipment such as power drills, grinders, soldering irons and heat guns are used this can inadvertently set off these systems and cause a ‘gas dump’ in the data hall which is an expensive ordeal. Always notify staff if you plan to do anything that may involve heat or create particles so they can disable the fire systems in those areas.

9. Install your equipment in the correct orientation (intake/exhaust) and install blanking plates in unused rack positions

When installing equipment you want to be sure your equipment is sucking cold air through the intakes and exhausting hot air into the hot aisles, the reverse is not conducive to good performance! Equally as important is ensuring empty spaces in your rack have blanking plates installed to prevent hot air aisles from mixing with cold air.

Many data centre operators will regularly check to ensure racks are set up correctly and contact you to fix them if things are not.

10. Respect Staff & Other Visitors

There can be times when tension levels are high and things don’t go the right way however this is no excuse to get abusive. Treat everyone and their equipment with respect and show courtesy. At times patience is required when things do not go to plan or when paperwork doesn’t add up.

Are there any rules we are forgetting? Share your thoughts in the comments below