WAGNER Group GmbH has been working successfully with noris network AG for many years. In 2002, the fire protection experts installed the first OxyReduct® system as a classic fire prevention system at noris. Further projects followed until noris decided in 2018 to modernize the first system and make it even more energy-efficient. A nitrogen extinguishing system was installed and the concept fundamentally changed. In the 11,000 m² data center, the oxygen content is now no longer permanently lowered. Instead, oxygen reduction is used to maintain the extinguishable nitrogen concentration after the extinguishing system is triggered - similar to the data centers with KyotoCooling®.
Nuremberg-based noris network AG has been building and operating modern, highly secure data centers since 1993. The company is thus one of the German pioneers in the field of modern IT services. Its portfolio includes customized ICT solutions in the areas of IT outsourcing, cloud services, and network & security.
Strong Combination: Gas Extinguishing Technology with Oxygen Reduction
The solution for noris network's fire protection requirements is the two-stage concept. It impresses with high energy efficiency and maximum safety:
The protected area is continuously monitored by TITANUS® air sampling smoke detectors. If they detect a fire at the earliest possible stage of development, the oxygen level is first lowered to a reduced target concentration by triggering the nitrogen extinguishing system. The oxygen-reduced areas remain accessible for staff to search for and eliminate the cause. This target concentration can be maintained for any length of time by using the OxyReduct® oxygen reduction system, because the system's nitrogen generators generate the required nitrogen directly on site from the ambient air, thus compensating for losses due to leaks at the building and the Kyoto wheels. By reducing the oxygen concentration, a significantly reduced fire behaviour is achieved, so that, ideally, a fire goes out immediately. The data center does not have to be shut down; the data remains available even in the event of an incident.
If the TITANUS® systems continue to detect a fire, further pressurised gas containers are triggered and the oxygen concentration is lowered even further, so that the fire goes out immediately here, too. This second target concentration can also be maintained by OxyReduct® for any length of time until all causes of the fire have been eliminated - even beyond the holding time of 10 minutes required by the VdS for gas extinguishing systems. Two noris data centers are already equipped with this two-stage fire protection concept, which is coordinated with KyotoCooling®.
Ingo Kraupa, Chairman of noris network AG
The combination of the very early fire detection, pressure-reduced and thus safe oxygen reduction, as well as the inertisation of the protected area with OxyReduct®, that allows us to bridge the time to refill extinguishing cylinders, had us convinced completely.
