Operational data centre battery upgrade

Context

Lithium-ion batteries inside an operational data centre concentrate a modern hazard in a building that cannot pause. Risk reduction has to be phased around live operations, mixed battery generations and systems that were designed before the hazard existed.

My role

I was the fire safety engineer supporting the fire strategy and management guidance for the battery installations and their phased upgrade.

Approach

• Management and use framework setting out phased battery upgrades, risk controls and ongoing facilities management actions.
• Review of battery hazards against ventilation, gas detection and smoke exhaust provisions and the existing fire engineering documentation.
• Technical coordination across UL-tested and non-UL-tested battery arrangements, with departures and management actions documented.

Outcome

A phased, workable pathway that reduces battery risk while the facility keeps operating.