Case Study – Data Center Indoor Contamination and Cleaning Improvement

Case study of indoor contamination of data centre: root cause analysis and risk management

Problem –

Server elements in a newly constructed data centre have frequently failed, resulting in significant downtime that has impacted the reliability of the global data centre and increased costs.

Background –

The Data Centre is located on a reclaimed marshy area around 1.0 Km away from the seashore. Its primary objective is to support business units throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The white space, which measures over 50,000 sqft, is home to Enterprise Servers and Storage products. The data centre is designed to operate within a thermal environmental boundary of  Class A1 and the reliability level of Tiers 3 and 4. The maintenance and cleaning services for the Data Centre have been outsourced to a specialized service provider.

Root Cause Analysis –

During routine indoor air quality tests of the Data Center, it was found that the indoor environment does not meet prescribed standards and guidelines. The high Sulphur content in the air is due to natural emissions such as H₂S, NH₃, and SO_{2 resulting} from the Data Center’s location in a reclaimed marshy area. This has led to non-conformities with the Indoor Environment Standard.

Solutions adopted-

A two-pronged approach was adopted to address the contamination issue.

1. Upgrading the clean environment mechanical systems

An additional air filtration system was installed at the fresh air intake to filter out harmful gases. A pressurization system was also set up to maintain positive air pressure within the data centre, preventing any external pollutants from entering. Furthermore, a real-time indoor environment monitoring system was implemented to detect deviations from the ASHRAE-laid standard of environmental limits of Class A1 for indoor temperature, humidity, and air quality.

1. Enhancing cleaning protocol

A cleaning protocol has been developed for the White (SERVER) and Grey (POWER & COOLING equipment) spaces inside the Data Centre to improve surface cleaning and address dust particles and chemical contamination issues. Several internationally recognized standards and guidelines, including ISO 14644 – 1 to 9, 13, and 14, were consulted to develop a robust and effective cleaning protocol.

By combining environmental upgrades with a more rigorous cleaning regime, the data centre significantly reduced contamination and minimized the risk of server failure. This case study highlights the critical role facilities service contractors play in maintaining optimal data center environments. Partnering with a qualified contractor who understands the specific needs of cleanroom environments and implements industry best practices is essential for ensuring data center uptime and preventing costly disruptions.