Fire protection in a data centre has two jobs that pull against each other: protect people and the building, and avoid damaging millions of dollars of IT equipment or causing an outage. Data centre fire systems therefore rely on very early detection, suppression designed for electrical equipment, compartmentation that limits any fire to a small area, and a fire engineering approach that treats the facility's specific hazards: batteries, fuel and dense cabling.
The Role of Fire Protection in Data Centres
| System | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Very early smoke detection | Aspirating systems (VESDA is a widely used brand) sample air continuously and detect smoke long before conventional detectors |
| Conventional detection | Point detectors, heat detectors and flame detection in plant areas |
| Suppression | Gaseous agents, water mist, pre-action sprinklers, or combinations, selected by space |
| Compartmentation | Fire-rated separation between halls, electrical rooms, battery rooms and fuel storage |
| Fire engineering | Performance-based solutions where deemed-to-satisfy provisions don't fit |
| Alarm and interfaces | Fire indicator panels, BMS integration, shutdown sequences, brigade interfaces |
Key Infrastructure Requirements
Early detection
Aspirating detection gives operators time to investigate and isolate an overheating component before a fire develops. It is standard in data halls and electrical rooms.
Suppression selection
- Gaseous (clean agent or inert gas): protects equipment without water; needs sealed rooms and pressure relief
- Pre-action sprinklers: pipes stay dry until detection confirms an event, reducing accidental discharge
- Water mist: less water, good cooling effect
The choice depends on room size, equipment, tenant requirements and insurer expectations.
Lithium-ion batteries
UPS and BESS lithium-ion batteries bring thermal runaway risk. Battery rooms and BESS enclosures need specific detection, ventilation, separation and suppression strategies, developed with fire engineers and fire authorities.
Diesel fuel storage
Large generator fleets mean large fuel volumes: the Mamre Road campus application lists more than 14,000 kL. Fuel storage brings in dangerous goods requirements, bunding and fire separation.
Compliance
Designs must meet the National Construction Code and relevant Australian Standards, or be justified by performance solutions. They are then maintained under routine service requirements (commonly AS 1851 for fire protection systems). Tenant and insurer standards often add requirements.
Fire engineering
Large, multi-storey data centres (CDC Marsden Park has six four-storey buildings) commonly need performance-based fire engineering for egress, smoke management and brigade access.
Australian Fire Protection Suppliers
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| Type | Typical scope |
|---|---|
| Fire engineers | Fire engineering reports, performance solutions |
| Fire services contractors | Design, installation, commissioning |
| Detection and suppression suppliers | Aspirating detection, gaseous and water mist systems |
| Maintenance providers | Routine servicing and certification |
Selecting a Supplier
- Data centre or mission-critical experience, including work in live halls
- Experience with lithium-ion battery fire strategies
- Commissioning records, including integrated tests with BMS and shutdown sequences
- Service coverage and response times for routine maintenance
- Relevant state licences and accreditations for fire protection work
Current Project Demand
Every building on every campus under construction needs complete fire systems: CDC Marsden Park, Laverton and Brooklyn, Perth and Beard, Goodman SYD01, Microsoft Kemps Creek Building Two and IC3 Super West. Wider use of lithium-ion UPS and BESS is increasing demand for battery-specific fire engineering.
Relevant Data Centre Projects
Data centre construction · All projects
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