Data centres are the backbone of the digital economy. Any interruption caused by fire can result in major financial loss, reputational damage and service disruption. That’s why passive fire protection — particularly firestopping — is a critical component of data centre design and maintenance.
Why Data Centres Are High Risk
These facilities contain:
- Extremely dense cable networks
- High electrical loads
- Large HVAC systems
As a result, fire-rated walls and floors are penetrated by cable trays, conduit bundles, chilled water pipes and ducts — each one creating a potential path for fire and smoke to travel between zones.
Compartmentation
Data centres are divided into fire compartments (e.g. server rooms, UPS/battery rooms, control rooms), typically with 120/120/120 FRL barriers.
Ceasefire seals every penetration using fully tested AS 1530.4 firestop systems to ensure these barriers perform as designed.
Choosing the Right Firestop Solution
| Penetration Type | Typical Firestop Solution |
|---|---|
| Cable trays | Intumescent pillows or fire boards (allowing future upgrades) |
| Conduit bundles | Fire-rated mortar or mastic wraps |
| HVAC ducts | Fire or combination (fire/smoke) dampers |
Working in Live Environments
Firestopping works in operational data centres must not impact uptime. Ceasefire technicians use low-impact methods, working in confined spaces and during off-peak periods to minimise disruption.
Documentation and Compliance
Given the value of assets, data centres require comprehensive documentation, including:
- Pre- and post-installation photographs
- Product batch numbers
- Test report references
All of this is captured in Ceasefire’s Passive Fire Register for audit and certification.
Common Issues We Encounter
- Penetrations left unsealed after cabling upgrades
- Temporary seals used long-term
- Lack of coordination between IT contractors and PFP specialists
