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Forum server room gas suppression system ("GSS")

The B.02 and B.Z14 server rooms are fitted with a gas suppression system ("GSS"), which may be operated automatically by the smoke detectors covering the rooms.

The GSS is not triggered by any of the building's general fire alarms. When in automatic mode, two separate server-room detectors must have signalled before the automatic GSS activation will be triggered. However, any single detection event will cause both the server room and general building alarms to sound. If this happens you MUST leave the building immediately.

The GSS is normally in automatic mode while the server rooms are not occupied. Unsetting the B.02 intruder alarm or pressing the "manual" switch in B.Z14 puts the system into manual mode. In this mode it will not trigger automatically as a result of a fire in one of the server rooms.

In the event of the GSS being triggered a 60-second count-down will begin, a warning bell will sound and a warning light will flash. You should leave the server rooms within this warning time if at all possible. If absolutely necessary you can delay the GSS activation for 60 seconds by pressing the hold-off button located on the wall beside the door for at least three seconds. If necessary, this action can be repeated to hold off the GSS for longer periods. In practice the building alarms will almost certainly already be sounding by the time this stage is reached, and you should therefore have already left the building.

NOTE: the gas used in the GSS is not toxic per se, but it would significantly interfere with your breathing. In addition, the discharge of the gas would be noisy and is likely to cause sudden temperature and pressure changes within the rooms.

After a fire alarm, if the GSS has been activated you MUST NOT re-enter the rooms until they have been adequately ventilated and the all-clear given. The red "Extinguishant Released" indicator on the control panel outside the server rooms will show whether the GSS has been activated or not.

Please follow these links for room-specific details:

More details on the GSS in B.02

More details on the GSS in B.Z14

Last reviewed: 
22/03/2023

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