In a world that’s always on, data center operational readiness is vital. According to meteorological records, there’s been a consistent rise in weather-related disasters since 1980. Extreme weather can take place just about anywhere, with hurricanes, heat waves, ice and snowstorms increasing in frequency. If a natural disaster strikes your region, how prepared is your operations team? Below we discuss how you can ensure the preparedness of your data center emergency response.
Risk Assessment
Performing a risk assessment for your data center is a great way to identify a baseline of the current state of the mission-critical facility, and a cost estimate for improving overall performance and mitigating infrastructure risk. At Ascent, our team works with customers to develop project plans that address infrastructure risks, procure required equipment and manage your data center project.
From assessing mechanical system components that control moisture detection, to fire protection systems such as detection, suppression, and compliance requirements, a risk assessment creates a baseline to understand better your facility’s existing conditions, single points of failure and other areas of potential risk to your data center and its equipment, especially in a weather-related event.
24×7 Support & Emergency Response Plans
Advanced weather tracking and notification systems can provide warning of what’s to come, but they cannot predict the impact to your sites. By understanding your site risks, you can develop an advanced plan with the help of a data center operating partner. Part of that plan may include having a 24x7x365 critical systems monitoring and critical event support team for emergency coordination and on-call technical support during an event.
The Ascent Operations Center (AOC) responds to emergency requests and alerts that come through phone, email, DCIM, and BMS alarm queues, and facilitates communication and coordination during emergency events. Ascent also provides a platform that can do the hard work for you — one that’s customized to your specific requirements. Navigator is a facility-based approach to managing critical systems equipment inventory, maintenance activities and performance metrics.
Finally, it’s critical to follow an Incident Response Plan. In a previous blog, Ascent recommends 10 Emergency Response Procedures that need to be included to ensure data center site operations teams stay one step ahead of the critical response curve.
Before the assessments, response plans, and 24x7x365 support, choosing the right data center partner is imperative. Ascent understands the potential risks in a wide range of critical facility design topologies and equipment conditions. As your partner, we are dedicated to keeping your operations running effectively and efficiently from initial preparation through recovery. You can contact our team directly to learn more about preparing for emergency events at 1.877.427.2368, or email us at answers@ascentcorp.com.