Why Early Smoke Detection Is Becoming Essential for Modern Data Centers
Data centers are the backbone of our digital world, powering everything from streaming to AI. But as facilities evolve – introducing high-density racks, liquid cooling, and greater power demands – traditional fire detection strategies are no longer enough. In our recent Expert Chat with Honeywell’s Garth Dehoff, we explored how aspirated smoke detection (air sampling detection) provides the flexibility and early warning data centers need. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways. Watch the full session here.
1. The Changing Data Center Landscape
- The Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast are booming with new construction, but growth is shifting nationwide.
- Data center design and the construction footprints are changing to accommodate AI workloads
- Power consumption and heat loads are increasing—some facilities are even building their own on-site power generation plants, introducing new fire protection challenges.
- High-density lithium-ion batteries, now used more widely to store energy, pose an additional hazard due to the difficulty of suppressing these types of fires.
- Fire alarm and detection systems must adapt alongside these infrastructure changes.
2. Why Early Detection Matters
- Uptime = revenue. Even a short disruption is costly; and no one has time for nuisance alarms.
- AI hardware and GPUs are more valuable than ever. Protecting them requires early-stage smoke detection.
- Air sampling systems offer a staged response for early warning and to prevent false alarms. This staged response allows for investigation and mitigation before full evacuation or suppression activation.
- Incipient Smoke – Allows you to investigate (will detect trace small smoke particles before it’s visible to humans).
- Visible Smoke – System will alarm, so you have time to investigate.
- Intense Heat –Automatic suppression activates to control or extinguish the fire before it can spread.
3. Performance Based Approach
- Design takes into consideration the configuration of your equipment, temperature in the data center, airflow patterns, air velocity, circulation and dilution of smoke.
- Because of the high airflow rates in data centers, smoke can become diluted quickly, so detection must be engineered to identify smoke under these unique conditions.
- A performance-based design allows flexibility to meet the data center’s mission-critical requirements while adapting to future technologies and layouts.
4. Codes & Compliance You Can’t Ignore
- NFPA 75 & 76: Require smoke coverage in containment aisles, underfloor spaces, and air distribution paths.
- UL 268 7th Edition: New testing protocols demand faster transport times and sensitivity to harder-to-detect fires.
- Local Variations: Some states, such as Virginia, Florida, and Georgia, adopt their own fire and building code amendments with added provisions for mission-critical or data center environments. Always confirm design requirements with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
5. Preparing for What’s Next
- As AI-driven workloads increase, data centers face new fire hazards and greater risk.
- Flexibility in detection design helps facilities adapt as new cooling and equipment technologies emerge.
- Early warning detection systems provide a fast response that is essential for protecting both uptime and high-value assets.
Because data centers can’t afford to gamble with downtime, active and early detection with air sampling technology offers the staged, flexible, and code-compliant protection that mission critical facilities need.
Want to explore how air sampling can safeguard your data center or mission critical facility? Reach out to schedule a quick chat with our team.
Looking for air sampling or Xtralis VESDA parts? Shop air sampling detection equipment and accessories at our online parts store.
The information provided is for general informational purposes only. Every fire protection system is unique, with specific inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements determined by system type, manufacturer specifications, building use, and local regulations. Consult a qualified fire protection professional or your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure compliance with applicable standards. Century Fire Protection assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content.