PHOENIX , Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- With September designated as National Preparedness Month by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, there is no better time to evaluate the security of data centers nationwide. DPAir, the premier provider of data center design, installation and maintenance services throughout the western United States , offers tips to companies looking to take a proactive approach in protecting their data centers.
The National Preparedness Month effort urges consumers and businesses to
develop disaster plans now in the event of a natural disaster. On average,
the United States faces
"By proactively evaluating the security of your company data center now before a disaster hits, a company can save millions in lost data and business," said Arnie Evdokimo, president of DPAIR. "With a few simple additions, a firm can protect their data centers from the devastating effects of disasters, including earthquakes, fires, hurricanes and floods."
Evdokimo advises that data centers should not be located in a high-risk seismic zone, in a flood plain, by a river or base of a mountain, or close to a railroad or airport. In addition, it's critical that data centers never be located near an outside wall or by glass windows. The safest location is in the interior -- or core -- of the building, where it can be well-insulated.
According to Evdokimo, three key actions companies can take immediately to protect their data centers include:
-- Installing a Backup Generator: Along with hurricane and monsoon season, come power outages and floods. Companies should install a backup generator which will automatically turn on when needed and back up the system for several hours or days. When energy is restored, the backup generator automatically turns off and is ready to power up when needed. -- Avoiding Fire Damage with a Gaseous/Fire Suppression System: Data centers are at risk from fire, and should have gaseous and pre-action fire suppression systems installed. This enables the early detection of a fire and releases a gas in the room that extinguishes the fire, and eliminates sprinkler water or fire damage. This action alone can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment damage. The suppression system not only mitigates risk, but can reduce insurance costs. -- Installing a New HVAC System: The HVAC system is designed to maintain an optimum temperature in the data center by removing excess heat that can cause severe damage to data center equipment. A new HVAC system has a life expectancy of about 20 years, versus just 10 years for older models.About DPAir Corporation
DPAir Corporation is the premier provider of data center design, installation and maintenance services throughout the western United States . DPAir provides services to Fortune 100 companies, as well as medium and small businesses, ensuring that critical data centers and computer rooms are built and maintained -- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Headquartered in Phoenix , Arizona, the company also has offices in Tucson , Las Vegas , Sacramento and San Francisco . For more information visit: http://www.DPAir.com.
SOURCE DPAir Corporation
