This brochure is intended to cover major exposures and control measures available to mitigate hazards of server room. A data processing center / server room is described as an area where computers are located, and these computers require considerations for special power, process cooling, environmental controls and access control.These days servers are used not only by IT and IT enabled companies, but also by many manufacturing and service companies like banks or companies who have computerized production or operation systems. A server room is usually permanently unmanned, except for some sporadic and short-term assignments. Most of the time these server rooms are unoccupied in the building behind the glass doors on shelves housing electronic equipments with numerous data cables or wires criss-crossing.

Minimum Requirements for Server Rooms:

CONSTRUCTION

	The data center must be located in a fire resistive, noncombustible, or tilt-up construction.
	{Walls – RCC structure/ solid masonry with fire resistance of not less than two hours} and {Floor and Roof – RCC slabs / floor and roof assemblies with fire resistance rating of not less than two hours}
	The materials in the data center and storage rooms must be constructed of and contain
	materials (e.g. curtains, carpeting, furniture, or fixtures) with a flame spread rating less than 25.

CUT-OFFS

	All rooms containing hardware, software, data, and support operations, etc. must be segregated
	from surrounding occupancies by a minimum 1-½ hour fire resistance rated cut-off.

LOCATION

	The Server room must be located at grade level (permanent flooring) or above. Basement locations
	should be avoided as they are considered to be with inadequate protection.
	Access to all areas of data processing and support operations must be restricted.

HOUSEKEEPING

	There should not be unusual sources of ignition, flammable liquids, flammable gases, or
	accumulations of papers etc inside server room.

FIRE DETECTION

	A smoke detection system in the Server room is required and must be connected to acceptable
	detection devices that includes:
		In the room: smoke detection of the Ionization, photoelectric or projected beam types.
		Below the (raised) floor: Smoke detection of the Ionization, photoelectric or projected beam types
		if being used as an air plenum, or where the floor is of combustible construction.

AUTOMATIC SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

	All Centers must have fixed automatic fire suppression systems, which includes:
		A sprinkler system design installed of NFPA standards. Wet or pre-action systems are
		acceptable with pre-action preferred. A dry pipe system is not acceptable.
		A clean agent fire suppression system as listed in NFPA 2001, in the EDP room and below
		the floor in rooms not exceeding 25,000 square feet. The manufacturer and sales representative should be consulted in determining the most suitable agent.

LIQUID DETECTION

	All centers must have a system of water detection and/or floor devices, supervised locally.
	Water Detection Devices: There are two detection systems available: spot and strip type.
	Proper Floor Design consists of sloped floors leading to drains. The floor should be partitioned
	off with gutters to guide water into the drains.

BATTERY PANEL

	With a back-up battery power in place, be aware of hydrogen generation from banks of wet cell
	batteries. Provide hydrogen detection and room ventilation where hydrogen is generated.
	Use dry cell batteries as they do not present the same exposures as wet cell batteries and so the
	need to isolate these UPS supplies is not essential.

BUSINESS CONTINUITY

The cost of damaged equipment might pale in comparison to the loss of business due to server downtime following an accident. The server needs to be up and running 24X7 by organizations. By the partial or total loss of this equipment, an entire operation of vital nature could be temporarily paralyzed.

	Data Back Up: Data back up is a must. Back-up copies must be segregated in a protected
	environment (fire resistive safe, vault, room or remote site). There must be at least one current back-up copy.
	Two sets of Back Up: The more prudent businessman will make two sets of back-up and
	alternately update the sets. This procedure reduces the risk of damaging a back-up in an emergency and having no alternate source of information.
	Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP): There shall be plan of action documented with training to IT team in
	case of major fire in server room. It shall include name and contact details of incident controllers, ready reckoner for immediate procurement of software and hardware, if possible alternate facility.

HDFC ERGO can assist you in handling the fire risk of your server rooms. Our Risk Consulting Service can offer you a Server Room Risk Review™ where our engineers can visit your server rooms. They will review your security systems and processes and offer suggestions on managing the risk. Based on this review, you could get further advice from our specialists for insuring these risks under our suite of policies designed keeping our clients’ requirements in mind.

Disclaimer: This document is advisory in nature only and is intended as a resource to assist, in conjunction with your professional insurance advisor, in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is not to be used or relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. No part of this publication shall be reproduced without specific permission of HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage however caused which may be directly or indirectly suffered in connection with the use of the information contained herein.

Risk Consulting Services at HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited

	Risk Survey Report (RSR)
	Lightning Risk Assessment Report (LRAR)
	Post Loss/Accident Survey Report (PLSR)
	NatCat Analysis Report (NCAR)
	Loss Prevention Brochures

For more information & contact details, please visit below link: http://www.hdfcergo.com/Commercial/RiskConsultingServices.html

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited
6th Floor, Leela Business Park, Andheri-Kurla Road Andheri East, Mumbai 400 059.
Registered Office: Ramon House, H T Parekh Marg 169, Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai 400 020.
Toll-free No. 1800 2 700 700 Fax: 91-22-6638 3699
E-mail care@hdfcergo.com Website www.hdfcergo.com

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