Protecting Server Rooms & Data Centres: Clean Agent vs Water Mist – What’s Best?

Your server rooms and data centres are the beating heart of your business, and being at particular risk of fire, one stray spark or electrical fault could instantly jeopardise years of hard work and cost you thousands. At Midland Fire, we’re here to help advise you on how to protect them from fire damage and keep that heart beating strong for years to come.

Fire suppression systems are an effective way to quickly control fires that may start in your server rooms and data centres. In this article we’ll compare clean agent and water mist systems, weighing up their pros and cons and helping you choose the solution to best protect your equipment. And we’ll let you know how our team at Midland Fire can install and maintain both clean agent and water mist fire suppression systems, keeping your business in line with the latest UK fire safety regulations.

The Unique Fire Risks in Server Rooms & Data Centres

Server rooms and data centres are high-risk environments when it comes to fire. That’s because they’re packed with electrical equipment and tangled cabling, and servers that run 24/7 generate significant heat. All this adds up to the ideal conditions for a fire starting and a single fault or overheating component can quickly lead to the worst.

So installing fire protection is key – but of course, using the wrong suppression method can be just as damaging. Standard water sprinklers or powder extinguishers may stop the fire, but they’ll likely destroy your sensitive electronic equipment in the process. That’s why specialised fire suppression systems, designed to stop fires fast without harming your tech, should be looked at.

Let’s take a deep dive into the two most common specialised sprinkler systems available – clean agent and water mist.

What Is a Clean Agent Fire Suppression System?

• Clean agents are gaseous fire suppressants that extinguish fires without using water or leaving any residue.
• They’re safe for electronics and data, making them ideal for protecting server rooms, data centres and other sensitive environments.
• Well-known clean agents are FM-200™ and Novec 1230™, FE-13, FE-25, Nitrogen, Argon, Inergen™, Argonite™ and Halon.
• These systems work by removing heat or interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire, often within seconds of detection.
• Clean agents are non-toxic and safe for people in occupied spaces when installed correctly, meeting standards like BS EN 15004.

What Is a Water Mist Suppression System?

• Water mist systems use ultra-fine water droplets to cool flames and displace oxygen, effectively suppressing fire in an environmentally-friendly way.
• Droplets are typically under 100 microns, allowing rapid evaporation and minimal water damage, and the systems use much less water than traditional sprinklers.
• Safe for some electronics, but residual moisture can still be a concern in sensitive data environments.
• Best suited for larger facilities or areas with mixed fire risks, though less common in smaller server rooms.
• High-pressure and hybrid systems are available. High-pressure mist uses only water at very high pressure, and hybrid systems combine water mist with inert gas.

When to Use Each System

In a nutshell, whilst both clean agent and water mist systems are better than traditional water sprinklers, clean agent fire suppression systems come out on top for protecting server rooms and data centres. This is due to the fact that they leave no residue and the risk of water damage is zero for even the most sensitive electronic equipment.

However, water mist is an eco-friendly option, and is effective against a wider range of fire types. The moisture may still pose issues for electronics, but in larger data centres, a hybrid water mist system could still be a great option as they produce next-to-no wetting of equipment and no clean-up.

The best solution for your business? It’s to call in a professional like Midland Fire to carry out an assessment of your commercial space and advise on which fire suppression system is the most suitable for you.

Expert Commercial Fire Suppression System Installation from Midland Fire

We’re a BAFE-accredited fire safety contractor, specialising in fire suppression system installation and maintenance. Choosing us means choosing an accredited specialist, so you can be sure that your fire suppression system is fully compliant and will keep your property, staff and assets safe.

Our experienced team will visit your business for a site assessment and offer their expert guidance on which fire suppression system is best for your property, including any server rooms or data centres. We can then install your system and integrate it with any other fire alarm and life safety systems that you have, and we can provide ongoing maintenance and support too.

Our friendly engineers have extensive experience working with businesses of all sizes across all industries, so whatever kind of business you have, get in touch.

At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Your Burning Questions Answered

What’s the best suppression system for a server room?
Clean agent systems are ideal for server rooms as they extinguish fires quickly without damaging electronics or leaving residue. Options like FM-200 or Novec 1230 are safe and effective for smaller server rooms, while water mist can be used in larger spaces but is less common for sensitive IT environments.

Is water mist safe for data centres?
Water mist is safer for IT equipment than traditional sprinklers as it uses very fine droplets to cool and suppress fire. However, residual moisture can still affect sensitive electronics, so even though some water mist systems will be suitable, particularly for larger data centres, they’re generally less preferred than clean agents, which offer zero-residue protection and are specifically designed for IT environments. It’s best to get a professional in to help you decide which fire suppression system you need.

Do I need fire suppression if I already have fire alarms?
Yes, fire suppression is always a good idea to have installed at your business. While fire alarms detect and alert, they don’t extinguish fires. Suppression systems actively stop fires before they spread, protecting equipment and reducing downtime. For server rooms and data centres, fire alarm systems work together with fire suppression systems to provide complete fire protection and this combination is often required by insurers or safety regulations.

Is clean agent safe for people?
Yes, clean agents like FM-200, Novec 1230 and Inergen are non-toxic at design concentrations and safe for occupied areas. They suppress fire without harming electronics or leaving residue. Evacuation is recommended after discharge, but the systems are compliant with strict safety standards.

How often should a fire suppression system be serviced?
Fire suppression systems should be inspected and serviced at least once a year by a qualified contractor, with some specific systems, like kitchen or gas systems, requiring twice-yearly inspections. All systems need testing regularly. Scheduled maintenance and testing ensures everything’s in working order and compliant with fire safety regulations.

Can sprinklers be installed in older buildings?
Yes, sprinkler systems can be retrofitted into older buildings, though it may require careful planning. Modern systems are flexible and can be designed to suit heritage or complex buildings, which is something we can help you with.