What is a potential disadvantage of using water mist as a fire extinguishing system?

A potential disadvantage of using awater mist fire suppression systemis that it canrapidly increase the humiditywithin the data center, which may pose risks tosensitive electronic equipment. Excessive humidity can lead to condensation, which could damage electronics and leadto short circuits or corrosion over time.

Detailed Explanation:

Water mist systems use fine droplets to suppress fires by cooling and displacing heat. However, the moisture generated may raise the humidity level to the point where it exceeds safe operational limits for IT equipment. Therefore, while water mist systems are effective in fire suppression, they may not be ideal in environments where high humidity could damage sensitive equipment.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

EPI guidelines advise considering the impact of humidity from fire suppression systems, particularly in environments housing electronic equipment. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of fire suppression against potential risks to operational equipment when choosing suppression methods.