Frequently Asked Questions
Can regular commercial cleaning services clean server racks effectively?
General commercial cleaning services often lack the specialized skills, tools, and knowledge necessary for effectively cleaning inside server racks, making it advisable to use professional cleaning services specializing in data centers and critical environments.
What are the risks of neglecting cleaning in server rooms?
Neglecting cleaning can lead to overheating, equipment damage, electrical shorts, health hazards, rodent infestation, and increased energy consumption.
How Do You Clean a Data Center?
Cleaning a data center requires careful attention by qualified professionals. Routine cleaning of all surfaces, including equipment, ventilation screens, and flooring, is essential. Specialized equipment like HEPA-filtered vacuums is used to minimize dust and contamination. As well as safe cleaning agents when necessary and anti-static wipes.
How Often Should a Data Center be Cleaned?
Data centers and equipment rooms must be routinely maintained to prevent physical clogs and build-ups of dust and debris from corrupting or affecting data processing. We typically recommend that data centers are cleaned thoroughly on a quarterly basis using a standardized data center cleaning checklist. This checklist involves making sure all surfaces are wiped free of dust using certified safe materials. Likewise, the sub-floors and raised floors must be treated similarly to prevent dust clogs and allow unrestricted airflow to reach critical server cabinets. Everything should be left exactly as it was, only cleaner.
It can be difficult to spot when a data center needs cleaning; much of the dust is trapped in corners or along ventilation screens and builds up gradually. In addition, a data hall may ‘seem’ clean, when in actuality, air quality is low and full of particulate.
For larger data centers or data centers with more foot traffic than average, more frequent routine cleaning may be necessary. This is especially true if you notice a dust build-up between maintenance visits. Want even more info? Check out our in-depth guide on the topic here.
Do Server Rooms Need Cooling?
Yes, server rooms require cooling to prevent overheating. Maintaining a temperature between 64.4°F and 80.6°F is crucial for optimal server performance and to avoid data loss. Proper airflow and cleanliness are essential to support cooling.