Data Centers Cleaning
Data centers are essential for storing and managing large amounts of information that businesses and organizations need. Ensuring data centers’ proper maintenance and cleanliness is crucial to their performance, longevity, and overall efficiency.
Over time, these centers can get dirty, which can cause problems and make them less efficient and effective. Ensuring the proper cleaning and maintenance of data centers is vital to overcoming these challenges. To keep data centers in good condition, a regular cleaning schedule must be followed using trained cleaners and non-static cleaning tools.
Why a clean data center is important?
Clean data centers that are protected from contamination see increased productivity, improved employee safety, more efficient energy use and a reduced rate of failure.
1. Safety
Data center cleaning is all about safety:
Environmental factors cause a considerable chunk of hardware failures. When computer equipment is not properly cleaned and maintained, it leads to system failure. Contaminants such as dust can get into machines and prevent them from working properly. Even microscopic pollutants can accumulate over time and lead to breakdowns. Pollutants can impede air conditioning systems, causing them to provide inadequate cooling and leading to overheated equipment.
Another extreme safety issue to be aware of is the threat of fires. Between 2006 and 2010, 209 american fires started in electronic equipment rooms according to the national fire protection association. These fires occur when pollutants cause equipment to overheat. Some debris, such as “black dust” from worn air handler belts has metallic qualities to it, making it conductive.
A dirty data center presents a less desirable work environment for employees; this is especially true for anyone installing cables under a raised floor or working overhead racks and cabinets. Constantly breathing in contaminants is unhealthy, and an unhealthy environment breeds unhappy, less productive employees.
2. Saving unwanted costs
Maintaining a clean data center helps save costs in several ways:
- Reducing maintenance costs. Dust and debris can cause overheating to servers, ups systems, and cooling units, leading to hardware malfunctions and unexpected outages. Regular cleaning reduces the risk of costly downtime and emergency repairs.
- Decreasing operational costs. Clean data centers allow better airflow, reducing strain on cooling systems. This lowers energy consumption and decreases operational costs.
Contamination Sources
Environmental
Environmental pollutants are natural contaminants that can be introduced through people or enter through open doors. (pollen, spores, dirt and dust, mold...)
Human
These are materials that fall off of people when they enter the data center. (clothing fibers, dead skin and hair…)
Mechanical
These materials come from mechanical equipment, often spread throughout the data center by the air handling system. (joint compound dust and various contaminants from construction, iron oxide dust from air handler belts and pulleys, also known as “black dust” …)
Factors that Cause Downtime
Data centers are the backbone of digital operations for organizations, and any downtime can result in significant financial and operational losses. Several factors can lead to data center failures, including:
Electrostatic dust can cause downtime or fire damage to a server. As little as 250 volts of static electricity can cause data memory loss, resets, erroneous commands and damage to sensitive micro circuitry. Cement dust and silicate dust from unsealed or improperly sealed subfloors, exposed drywall, and print operations all pose significant risks as well.
Metal dust and tiny ferrous metal slivers are a constant threat released by mechanical parts. Typical airflow in datacenters and computer rooms causes conductive ferrous metals to become airborne and deposit on electronic components which can cause catastrophic downtime to circuit boards.
Improper cleaning chemicals, over-humidification, and spills/leaks leads to the formation of rust particles in the data centers. Rust particulate easily becomes airborne, allowing this conductive metal to contaminate sensitive electronic equipment and can cause downtime to servers and other sensitive equipment in a data center.
Live contaminants are attracted to dark subfloors and warm operating equipment - and they can wreak havoc with electronic equipment.
Using janitorial companies (instead of critical environment cleaners) to clean a tech environment is dangerous and presents many risks to your data center. Common risk factors include wrong equipment and chemicals, untrained/uneducated laborers, questionable security practices, and improper insurance.
Data Centers Cleaning Products:
- Anti-static cleaning chemicals
- Hepa-filtered vacuum cleaner
- Anti-static vacuum cleaner
- Tile pullers
- ESD mats
- PPE equipment (wrist straps / ESD-safe gloves...)
- Air ionizers
- Cleaning brushes (soft bristle)
- Compressed air dusters
- Anti-static ladder
- Microfiber cloths and mops
- Lint-free cloths and mops
Deep Cleaning Areas
Data center cleaning and maintenance involves the ongoing monitoring, inspection, cleaning, repair, and servicing of various components, including cooling systems, ups room, and the facility’s physical structure.
Deep cleaning process of this area could be accomplished in server rooms, storage racks, network equipment, and monitoring areas.
Cooling systems play a vital role in data centers by regulating temperature and preventing overheating of equipment. However, these systems are vulnerable to dust and debris buildup, which can impair their performance and lead to overheating. One of the most dangerous cooling systems contaminants is what is known as belt debris. Belt debris is created by the friction of slightly misaligned pulleys on cooling system belts.
1. Cleaning internal cooling unit: Since internal cooling systems operate close to sensitive it equipment, cleaning must be done with minimal disruption and without introducing contaminants. Cleaning of this unit includes CRAC/CRAH units, airflow management systems (tiles, ducts, containment units) and liquid cooling systems.
2. Cleaning external cooling unit: The components of this unit are exposed to dirt, debris, and environmental contaminants, requiring regular deep cleaning. Cleaning of this unit includes chillers & cooling towers, and condensers & heat exchangers.
Uninterrupted power is crucial for data centers to avoid downtime. This includes primary power sources, backup generators, and uninterruptible power supply (ups) systems to ensure continuous operation during outages.
Dust, dirt, and other contaminants can hinder the performance of your ups system. Periodically cleaning the ups and its surrounding area helps prevent dirt buildup, which can lead to overheating or electrical issues.
Our staff ensures a clean, well-maintained environment to protect your critical power infrastructure and prevent equipment failure.
The security & access control room is a critical area in a data center, responsible for monitoring physical security, controlling access, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Keeping this room clean ensures that biometric systems, surveillance equipment, and monitoring stations function without interruption.
1. Overhead
2. Sub-floor cleaning
3. Floor cleaning
4. Surfaces
Why you should choose Bash Services as your partner in data centers cleaning ?
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Talk to Our Technical Team
Regular data center cleaning is a crucial investment in maintaining the reliability, efficiency, and longevity of it infrastructure. By preventing dust accumulation, improving airflow, and reducing fire hazards, businesses can minimize the risk of downtime, costly repairs, and equipment failures. A clean data center not only enhances operational performance but also contributes to energy savings and a safer working environment. Prioritizing professional cleaning services ensures business continuity, protects valuable assets, and optimizes overall efficiency, making it an essential practice for any organization relying on critical it systems.
You can talk to our technical experts in data center cleaning to learn more or request a quote at 0770277555 and we will serve you immediately.
