Inert gas system install 3

[mikeydidit]

I have a project (yeah something else to fix that wasn’t done right the first time) that maybe you guys can help me with. In our computer services server room we have a drop ceiling. I have several places that have the Panduit 4x4 duct with cover coming down through ceiling into a B-Line 6” cabling tray. The tray runs over about 8 rows of server racks. This feeds above the ceiling down to the servers in this room.

They are looking into installing an inert gas system of some type in this room. I need something to fill the void in the Panduit duct to prevent the gas from escaping into the ceiling. I looked into the 3M products and called their technical support people. Of course they make the fire rated pillows but not anything that will do what I need. I heard from one of the companies that install these systems there is a fire rated foam brick they use for these, but it apparently is some “top secret” stuff.

Any suggestions on what to use for these or information on the foam brick would be greatly appreciated.

Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.
Thomas A. Edison

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594

 

[wires]

You might want to consider sizing the gas system to include the space above the ceiling tiles and firestop where the wires enter the room. Since a fire could start above the tiles it would not be a waste to have suppression for that area.

 

[mikeydidit]

Thanks wires and your solution may be the obvious answer. The pathways out of this room into the hallway are sealed with 4” fire sleeves. Also their main air handler is above the ceiling so it would make sense to cover that as well. The problem is with a ceiling in this room nozzles would have to be placed above and below the ceiling with would raise the cost of the install considerably. The systems size as you mentioned would also have to be increased also effecting the installation cost.

If I can find a method to “properly” install something to seal these ducts and still allow access it would save a lot of money. I have a call into our engineers to see what they think.

Thanks for your reply and I will let you know what we decide to do.

Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.
Thomas A. Edison

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594

 

[pbxn]

You may want to try graybar or even Panduit's site to see if they have some sort of solution for this. Surly one of those folks at either place have heard of something. Sorry can't add more.

 

[GMgerry]

Fire pillows. They come in many sizes and all major firestop manufactures have them. Also easy to remove when you need to get back into the duct.

 

[comtechau]

I reckon 'wires' has the idea - Size the system to include the space above the drop ceiling. BECAUSE if/when the Gas goes off, although fire pillows plug cable entries nicely, nothing (except lots of loose cabling) will hold down your ceiling tiles!

Also... We had 1 system where the gas pipe AND outlets ran in-line and above the equipment racks. [rather than between them] Nobody here thought anything of it till one day the Gas went off, ICE formed on the Pipes/Nozzles, which as it melted, caused awful problems dripping through all the equipment and racks.

 

[mikeydidit]

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't think about the nozzles being over the equipment either. I will make sure they install them between the equipment. The fire pillows are not going to completely seal the ducts, so that is still going to be a problem.

I still haven't heard anything back from our staff engineers. I may have rained on their parade. The more I think about it the more I think the best solution may be to place nozzles above the ceiling too, like Wires stated. That would cover everything that needs to be covered. But I am still looking for something to seal the ducts in the meantime.

I posted some pictures a while back of things that I have had to straighten out for our network group. This is just another. They paid me a lot of money to run the overhead ladder rack in their server room with pathways out of the ceiling into the racks. They removed a ceiling tile and drooped fiber and copper (around 60 cables) into the tray from the ceiling about 3 feet off the wall. Part of what I need to do is run these the right way so the tiles can be placed in the grid again. Looks like %$@@ to say the least.

It does keep me from getting bored though guys.. LOL.

Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.
Thomas A. Edison

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594

 

[mikeydidit]

Just a update for you guys. I met with our staff engineer a few minutes ago and he also agrees with covering above the ceiling is the way to go. I haven't met this guy before but I think 3 out of 4 of my kids are older than he is.

He did seem to be a good kid though and after explaining to him that the air handler above the ceiling is not covered, he didn't seem to mind having to bid this project out again to included more nozzles and expand the system . He is also going to make sure the nozzles are not placed above the equipment.

So once again you guys make me look like I actually know what I am doing and this project should be done right.

Thanks for all your time and help.

Oh and Wires. I have started you a tab at your favorite “Adult beverage drinking establishment” or better know as “the bar”.


Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something.
Thomas A. Edison

For the best response to a question, read faq690-6594