What are some common fire suppression systems used in data centres?

In data centres, it is crucial to implement effective fire suppression systems to protect sensitive equipment and data from fire damage. The correct answer encompasses a wide range of fire suppression systems that are commonly used in these environments.

Water-based systems, such as sprinklers, are often employed to combat fires effectively. However, due to the sensitive nature of electronic equipment, many data centres also opt for gaseous suppression systems, which use gases like FM-200 or CO2 to extinguish fires without causing harm to the equipment. Inert gas systems, a subset of gaseous suppression, utilize gases like nitrogen or argon that displace oxygen in the environment, thus suffocating the fire while being safe for electronic devices.

By including all three methods—water-based systems, gaseous suppression, and inert gas systems—the answer highlights a comprehensive approach to fire safety that balances effective fire control with the safety of critical electronic infrastructure. While certain options may mention only one or two types, having a multi-faceted suppression strategy is vital in ensuring that data centres can protect their assets properly under all circumstances.