Technology
Exploring technology fire risks.
Exploring technology fire risks.
In the area of technology, fire prevention and suppression is critical. Data centers contain huge amounts of valuable data and equipment that must be protected.
Manufacturing semiconductors is one area of the technology industry that includes the use of toxic and flammable substances.
Data centers contain a lot of valuable equipment, such as computer systems, related components for networking and telecommunications, and data storage systems. Electrical faults can cause fire in a data center, resulting in monetary losses due to damaged equipment, and loss of valuable data if data storage devices are damaged.
The main risk of fire in a data center originates from the electrical faults. With a huge amount of electrical equipment, the risk is great.
Flame detection systems must be able to swiftly detect fire in a data center, before it spreads and causes extensive damage or data loss.
Semiconductor facilities involve many combustible hazards. Alcohol bath drying, a process in wafer manufacturing, involves flammable alcohols and gases. The wafers are dipped in an alcohol bath to remove any moisture. Hydrogen gas (H2) is used to remove oxygen and dopant gases. Plating operations, crystal growing, diffusion, oxidation, ion implantation, metallization, etching and cleaning involve various toxic and flammable solvents – especially during evaporation processes.
Combustible and toxic gas detectors must be present at the facility’s ventilation and air intake ducts, where evaporated solvents may accumulate. Flame detectors must also be present as a second line of defense, due to the presence of pyrophoric materials such as inorganic hydrides, silane, diborane, dichlorosilane, metal alkyls, and organometallics. These materials ignite easily, so detectors must be installed where these materials are present, to detect any ignition and allow for suppression.
As a leader in Flame and Gas detection we are dedicated to protecting personnel, property and the environment.
