Data centres are high-value assets where even a short outage can cause serious financial and operational disruption. In these environments, passive fire protection (PFP) is not just a compliance requirement — it is essential to protect sensitive equipment and maintain continuous operation.
Key Fire Risks
- High electrical loads and significant heat generation
- Large quantities of cable trays and conduit bundles
- Equipment that is highly sensitive to heat and smoke
Compartmentation and Firestopping
Data centers often require:
- 2-hour rated walls between server rooms.
- Fire-rated cable penetrations with re-enterable systems.
- Separation of electrical and mechanical rooms from IT spaces.
NCC and AS Requirements
All PFP systems must:
- Be tested to AS 1530.4, and
- Be installed in accordance with AS 4072.1
Penetration seals must be installed exactly as tested, and must allow for future service modifications without compromising the FRL.
Ceasefire PFP’s Approach
- Use modular firestop blocks and pillows on cable trays to allow easy re-entry
- Seal HVAC penetrations with tested damper and firestop combinations
- Maintain a detailed Passive Fire Register with photo and batch traceability
In summary: data centres demand a highly precise approach to passive fire protection. Ceasefire PFP delivers tested, flexible and fully documented solutions that protect critical infrastructure while supporting operational continuity.
