emergency backup
Before serviced
fuel is returned
to storage, it’s
imperative tanks
are cleaned
thoroughly.
contamination. Depending on the
size and type, tanks can either
be cleaned manually by trained
operatives or using automated
machinery. Remote controlled
washers can speed up the cleaning
process as well as reducing
downtime and man-entry costs,
such as scaffolding.
Safe Storage
Emergency backup generators
serve a critical purpose when
disaster strikes, enabling data
centres to stay fully operational
even when issues with the main
energy source have occurred.
Usually in the form of oil-fired
generators, the fact that these
power sources are seldom used
can often present problems as
essential maintenance to both
assets and fuel is neglected. A
regular maintenance programme
can reduce these risks and extend
the useful life of stored fuel.
Fuel Polishing
All fuel is vulnerable to
contamination by water, which
causes microbe growth and
damaging sludge formation in bio-
fuels. EU Directives on bio-fuels
and EU Standards for bio-diesel
have increased the need for more
frequent and higher standards of
maintenance, not to mention the
harmful effect fuel contamination
can have on tank interiors,
pipework, filters and seals.
Monthly checks will help to
identify any problems with bacterial
growth or sediment build-up which
can then be swiftly addressed.
Storage tanks holding back-
up fuel can degrade over time,
causing leaks and subsequent
pollution. Regular inspection is
recommended and required, in
accordance with Fuel Storage
Regulations and OFTEC guidelines.
Legally, the overall responsibility
for all fuel storage facilities falls
to the owner, including ensuring
that these annual inspections and
their subsequent maintenance
requirements are adhered to.
As the saying goes, ‘prevention is
better than cure’ and the cost of an
ongoing maintenance programme
will certainly pail in insignificance
when compared to the cost of
breakdown, repair and resulting
downtime. If we are to meet
demand for inevitable future growth
in this sector we must take action
now to ensure that UK data centres
are securely backed-up and resilient
to environmental threats.
Solutions include emptying and
cleaning the tanks, or using bacterial
additives and fuel polishing, a
process that eliminates the source
of the problem as well as removing
infected material. Fuel can be tested
and treated on-site, using mobile
units, or in a laboratory environment.
Tank Cleaning
Before serviced fuel is returned
to storage, it’s imperative tanks
are cleaned thoroughly: Residual
sediment should be removed,
pipes flushed with clean fuel,
filters cleaned or replaced and
pumps bled. At this point, biocide
can be added to the tank, which
will help delay future microbial
Flood damage is a
particular threat
to data centres.
* TCL (Tariff Consultancy Ltd) Data
Centre Europe Pricing – 2015 to 2020
report, http://www.telecomspricing.
com/news_detail.cfm?item=10643
July 2017 | 35