Subfloor Dangers

The NFPA attributed 80% of computer room fires as results from buildup of conductive particles.

In addition to fires, the relationship between contamination and equipment failure, especially in large mass storage devices, has long been known

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and Dust Fires

Evidence has linked the constant movement of air and dust across concrete surfaces, combined with humidity fluctuations, as the cause of sever electrostatic discharge. Dust fires that leave only a burn mark (oftentimes very small marks) to show that they occurred are found in unclean subfloor plenums. ESD can adversely affect memory chips and damage the circuitry of systems and create other problems.

Ferrous Metals on Circuit Boards

Because of the high volume of air that blows through the subfloor plenum to cool circuit boards, unclean subfloors allow dust and tiny ferrous metal slivers blow throughout the plenum allowing the contaminant to settle on electronic components because of their magnetic properties. Because components are becoming smaller and are being packed more densely on a circuit board, the likelihood of problems increases.

Additionally, any particle that can absorb moisture can also conduct electricity, such as Carbonaceous particulate. Interestingly, carbon dust is also combustible. Carbon contaminant related failures of computer circuit boards are often logged "cause unknown".

Over Humidity and Rust

On the other end of the spectrum from electrostatic discharge problems, are over humidity and rust. Rust can be found on the floor jacks and grid, as well as in air conditioning and computer equipment. Humidity at its worst causes condensation on equipment resulting in not only rust, but also short circuits. Varied forms of dirt/contaminants absorb and hold moisture.

Head Crashes and Mechanical Wear

Disk drives are particularly vulnerable to dust. Because the distance between the head and the thin film disk is now down to only 12 microinches (a microinch is 1/1,000,000 of an inch), not even dust particles can squeeze through. Read/write errors can occur if cleaning equipment don't take out particulate at the submicron level.

Halon Dumps

Dust and other small particulate can look like smoke to subfloor fire detectors. The electronic eye cannot distinguish between smoke particles and dust. Should the static pressure in the subfloor be released (such as when a tile is pulled), dust laden air can cross over several detectors on its way to the open tile setting off the necessary number of detectors for a dump. According to the Halon Research Center, one third of Halon dumps occur erroneously.

Employee Health

Process computer cooling is different from comfort cooling found in office spaces. This means that building codes requiring fresh air for people is often ignored. Thus computer rooms are good candidates for indoor air pollution. Thus specialized filtration vacuums that filtrate down to 0.3 microns and 99.97% efficiency totally eliminates bacteria, fungus and other disease causing particulate.

Food, Insects and Rodents

This common food chain can wreak havoc with electronic equipment. These live contaminants do not depend on the air plenum for movement. They move at will, attracted to the warmth and protection afforded by operating equipment. This especially happens when food or beverage is dropped under the floor, drawing cockroaches, spiders, ants and even rodents.

Contact SET3 for a free walkthrough evaluation of your facility.

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