According to industry reports, nearly 22% of unplanned data center outages are attributed to environmental factors such as temperature-related issues and water damage.

Some studies have shown that businesses incur an average cost of $9,000 per minute of data center downtime, emphasizing the financial impact of environmental threats. 

Let’s discuss in detail to uncover the major environmental threats to your data center while exploring the best ways to prevent them. 

Temperature Fluctuations

Temperature fluctuations in data centers can cause environmental threats by resulting in increased energy consumption, hardware damage, and the potential for data loss.

Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can compromise the efficiency and longevity of IT equipment, which in turn, leads to to higher operational costs and environmental impact.

Data center managers can follow these tips to address temperature fluctuation issues to maintain a stable and controlled environment within data centers:

• Ensure redundancy in HVAC systems, temperature sensors, and cooling equipment to maintain climate control even in the event of a failure.

• Implement a comprehensive monitoring system to track temperature variations without any gaps. Regular maintenance of HVAC systems, sensors, and other cooling equipment is crucial.

• Invest in energy-efficient cooling systems, such as precision air conditioners or liquid cooling solutions, to optimise temperature control while minimizing energy consumption.

• Plan and optimize the layout of IT equipment to ensure even distribution of heat and minimize the risk of hotspots.

• Implement environmental control systems that automatically adjust cooling based on real-time conditions, allowing for dynamic response to temperature fluctuations.

• Use thermal imaging and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to identify areas with temperature irregularities and optimize airflow within the data center.

• Develop and regularly update emergency response plans to address sudden temperature spikes or failures in the climate control system.

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Data Center – Humidity Levels 

High or low humidity levels in data centers pose environmental threats. High humidity can lead to corrosion, electrical shorts, and equipment malfunctions, while low humidity can cause static electricity buildup, increasing the risk of damage to sensitive electronic components.

Either way, it jeopardizes the reliability and performance of data center equipment.

Data center managers can follow these tips to save the data center from environmental threats of humidity levels:

• Install humidity control systems to regulate and maintain optimal humidity levels within the data center.
• Employ dehumidifiers to reduce excess humidity and prevent conditions conducive to corrosion and electrical issues.
• Optimize airflow management to distribute humidity evenly and prevent localized high or low humidity areas.
• Implement continuous humidity monitoring to detect and address fluctuations promptly.
• Minimize external influences by sealing gaps and leaks in the data center building to control humidity levels effectively.
• Regularly maintain and calibrate HVAC systems to ensure they effectively manage both temperature and humidity.
• Implement redundancy in humidity control systems to provide a failsafe in case of equipment failure.
• Consider humidity levels in the design phase of the data center, taking into account the environmental conditions of the location.

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Water Damage 

Water damage poses a severe environmental threat to data centers. Leaks, floods, or water ingress can lead to extensive hardware damage, electrical failures, and potential data loss.

The impact of water damage extends beyond immediate equipment harm, affecting the overall reliability and continuity of data center operations.

Data center managers can follow these tips to prevent environmental threats that can be caused by water damage:

• Install advanced systems that can quickly identify and alert operators to potential water intrusion.
• Place critical hardware and infrastructure above potential water entry points to minimize the risk of direct exposure.
• Seal floors and walls to prevent water penetration, especially in areas susceptible to flooding or leaks.
• Conduct routine inspections to identify and address weak points or vulnerabilities in the building’s structure that may lead to water damage.
• Employ raised flooring to create a barrier between potential water sources and critical IT equipment.
• Apply waterproofing coatings to surfaces susceptible to water penetration, such as roofs and exterior walls.
• Ensure backup power systems are in place to prevent data loss in case of power outages resulting from water damage.
• Develop and regularly update plans to facilitate swift and effective actions in the event of water-related incidents.

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Data Center – Wrapping Up

Environmental threats to your data center also include power outages, air quality issues, natural disasters, security concerns, chemical exposure, and supply chain risks. 

Keep in mind that neglecting environmental threats in your data center can result in hardware failures, data corruption, operational disruptions, financial losses, and reputation damage.

Therefore, proactive management is essential to ensure data integrity and business continuity.

We encourage you to hire a professional data center management team, like Reboot Monkey, to ensure that your data center facility doesn’t face environmental threats in the first place. Our experienced experts specialize in implementing proactive monitoring, maintenance, and strategic solutions.