The Importance of the Optimal Environment for IT Equipment Reliability

Data center downtime is a costly reality, with 54% of global data center facilities losing $100,000 in 2023. This highlights the value of IT maintenance, specifically in prioritizing the proper environmental conditions for the reliability of IT systems. Adhering to environmental maintenance standards also enables businesses to claim valid manufacturer warranties in case of system failure.

To run a more dependable data center, you must understand the optimal environment for IT infrastructures and manufacturer’s conditions for warranties. It’s also wise to know the consequences of noncompliance and how proactive mitigation can prevent costly downtimes.

Conditions for the Ideal IT Equipment Environment

Efficient and reliable data centers depend on environmentally controlled facilities that maintain the right physical conditions for IT equipment. Here’s how the following environmental factors impact the performance and longevity of IT systems.

1. The Right Temperature

Data centers require the proper temperature range to operate hardware and avoid damage. If a facility is hot and exceeds the right temperature range, it causes overheating, leading to slow CPU performance, data loss and server failure. In contrast, facilities with very low temperatures increase condensation, which causes moisture to corrode and damage IT components.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends temperatures between 64.4 and 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit for data centers.

To monitor data center temperature, use reliable temperature sensors such as thermocouples, thermistors and resistance temperature detectors. Understanding the general temperature limits and the individual temperature requirements of each component is also a must. Invest in effective IT equipment cooling solutions for maximum performance and reliability.

2. The Proper Humidity

The proper humidity levels maintain the ideal IT equipment environment for data centers, maximizing the computer systems’ performance and life span. Like temperature, the humidity levels must fall within the proper range. Based on ASHRAE’s recommendation, data centers’ general relative humidity is 50% to 70%, with a temperature dew point of 15.8 to 59°F.

High humidity contributes to condensation, which leads to faster deterioration of computer parts. Moisture also combines with dust in the air, obstructing the IT system’s vents and fans. Meanwhile, very dry, low-humidity levels increase the likelihood of electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can cause sparks in the components and may start a fire, putting your entire facility at risk.

To maintain the proper humidity, ensure airflow management in your server facility to prevent condensation or a dry environment. For example, you can install a raised flooring system to allow cool air to circulate evenly in the IT system.

3. Reduced Dust and Contaminants

Data centers must be dust-free to maintain the ideal IT equipment environment. Dust and contaminants come from various sources, such as clothing fibers, foot traffic as well as internal components like zinc whiskers. These contaminants can settle inside IT equipment and disrupt system airflow, causing overheating, reduced efficiency, hardware breakdown and potential fire hazards.

Schedule routine data cleaning services to reduce dust and contaminants inside your data center. Limit human activity inside server rooms, such as unpacking and assembling new equipment, to a separate area. Implement measures such as placing mats at entry points and encouraging staff to wear caps and booties whenever they enter the facility. You can also invest in a high-quality air filtration system with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to protect IT equipment from contaminant damage.

Understanding Manufacturer Conditions for Warranties

Manufacturers generally require data centers to follow industry maintenance standards before validating IT equipment warranties. Note that warranties vary per manufacturer, so clarify with your provider to be sure you understand specific terms. In the event of a faulty IT system, failure to comply can invalidate your warranty, resulting in substantial repair or replacement costs.

Below are examples of manufacturer warranty conditions from respected companies in the industry:

• International Business Machines (IBM): Data servers that run on IBM must adhere to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14644-1 class eight directives. This standard deals with cleanrooms and associated controlled environments, with part eight specifying Air Cleanliness by Chemical Concentration.
• Dell Technologies: Dell Technologies doesn’t cover IT equipment failures due to external environmental factors. If your data center runs on Dell Technologies systems, you must consistently maintain the proper environmental conditions to verify warranty claims.
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE): Similar to Dell Technologies, HPE excludes coverage for equipment damage caused by improper environmental conditions. To make a valid claim, data centers must maintain the optimum IT environment.
• Cisco: When running Cisco systems, a data center must adhere to specific environmental specifications mandated by Cisco. Otherwise, a lack of compliance poses potential warranty implications.

The Cost of Noncompliance

Failure to comply with data center industry standards, specifically for proper environmental conditions, results in significant downtime and financial losses. Here’s how noncompliance adversely impacts data centers:

• Downtime: Often, the most substantial cost, downtime from unreliable IT systems, causes monetary losses. In 2023, 16% of data centers worldwide lost over $1 million due to significant system downtimes.
• Equipment failure and replacement: Inadequate environmental conditions accelerate the decline of IT equipment, causing malfunction and premature damage. Replacing storage devices, servers and networking gear is a substantial expense.
• Voided warranties: Protect your data center investment and avoid expensive IT repairs. Ensure compliance with manufacturer warranty conditions to validate warranty claims, saving you significant costs on equipment replacements.
• Energy inefficiency: Factors contributing to higher energy consumption include poor airflow and cooling management, resulting in higher energy expenses. Older data servers requiring physical updates consume more energy than new data centers.
• Loss of data: In severe cases, lack of compliance leads to permanent data loss, which can have substantial monetary and reputational repercussions on your business.

Proactive Mitigation Solutions

Prevent downtime and significant monetary loss by proactively implementing the proper data center environmental standards. One of the most important standards you should adhere to is your manufacturer’s warranty guidelines. These are your baselines for properly setting up your IT system in the ideal environment.

Below are more proactive mitigation solutions you can employ for improved data center reliability:

• Continuous monitoring: Create an organized tracking system to diligently monitor your facility’s temperature, humidity and air quality in real time. Implementing a tracking routine will help address potential IT issues before they escalate.
• Regular cleaning: Consider hiring professional data center cleaning services for proper IT equipment cleaning and dust removal. Schedule cleaning services at regular intervals to maintain the optimal IT environment.
• Proper documentation: Keep detailed records of environmental conditions and cleaning schedules. You can hire a professional data center cleaning service with environmental reports, providing evidence of due diligence for warranty claims and audits.

Trust DataSpan to Maintain the Optimal Conditions for Your IT Equipment

Creating the proper environment for your data center is critical for your IT infrastructure’s reliable performance and longevity while securing valid manufacturer warranties. At DataSpan, we offer professional anti-static data center cleaning and consulting services, such as full environmental assessments, particulate counts and floor surface cleaning, to help prevent dust particles from causing decreased performance and downtime. We also provide tailored cooling solutions for IT systems, including airflow management, ceiling cooling and cold aisle containment systems that suit your data center’s needs.

With over 50 years of industry expertise, DataSpan has empowered businesses with customized technology solutions, earning the trust of over half the Fortune 1,000 companies. We focus on optimizing data storage, access and protection, enabling your facility to achieve peak performance and efficiency.

Contact a DataSpan representative in your area using our Find Your Rep tool. You can also fill out our Contact Form to request more information about our comprehensive data center services.