Every work environment should be clean, but when it comes to data centers, cleanliness runs deeper than aesthetic appeal. Data centers are facilities that house important hardware for data storage, including servers, computer systems, network equipment, and external storage devices. A clean environment is essential in keeping this equipment running smoothly for the organizations who depend on it. Here’s why running an immaculate data center truly does make a difference.
5 Reasons Why Cleaning Your Data Center Matters
- Longer Equipment Lifespan
The servers and computer systems in data centers must run constantly as they gather, store, and process large amounts of data. This constant usage combined with subpar cleanliness can cause hardware to shut down sooner. Cleanliness is more all-encompassing than it seems.
In addition to standard cleaning practices, data centers must take extra care to ensure that their facility is spotless. This includes changing air filters regularly to ensure steady temperatures in the building, removing dust from hard-to-reach places, and regulating moisture levels in the air to avoid corrosion. Data center equipment comes with a hefty price tag, but taking these steps can extend their lifespan significantly.
- Improved Energy Efficiency
When dust accumulates in any indoor environment, the electricity bills reflect it. This is never more critical than in data centers, where energy costs are already high. When dust gathers on server fans, cooling coils, or vents, airflow is restricted, which raises electricity costs. In some cases, this dust can even cause the equipment itself to overheat, leading to even higher costs as internal fans kick into high gear to save the equipment. Regular cleaning doesn’t just keep equipment functioning properly, it saves both energy and money – a win-win for data center owners.
- Reduced Downtime
The organizations who rely on data centers expect them to run consistently, so downtime for equipment failure or maintenance is very costly. In fact, research from Gartner estimates a loss of $5,600 per minute. The size of your data center and the number of people you employ will factor into your potential loss figures, but no one wants to face costly repairs and disgruntled customers. Keeping contaminants away from your data center with routine cleaning can spare your wallet.
- Increased Compliance and Safety
Data centers run high-powered technology 24/7, which can pose a serious fire hazard if the surrounding environments are not spotless. Dusty, moldy, or dirty data centers can also create hazardous conditions for employees who work in them.
For this reason, data centers are subject to strict cleanliness requirements, which are sometimes enforced by inspections and audits. Maintaining a clean environment in your data center will ensure your facility is compliant and safe for all who enter.
- Lowered Costs
Downtime, safety issues, reduced efficiency, and shorter equipment lifespans all cost a great deal. To optimize performance and maximize revenue, hire a cleaning company with data center experience. Hiring a trusted cleaning crew to maintain your data center is an added expense — but in this instance, spending money can actually help you save it in the long run.
5 Tips for Data Center Maintenance
Unlike other types of cleaning that require simple tasks like surface dusting, floor vacuuming, and trash removal, data center cleaning must be done thoroughly. As a data center owner, it’s important to change air vents on a schedule, check equipment regularly, and maintain proper temperature and humidity levels in the facility. Partnering with expert data center cleaners will ensure that your hard work goes further. Ask and potential data center cleaning companies if they will clean:
- Ceilings, including tiles and overhead areas
- All floors
- Exterior equipment surfaces like server cabinets, equipment and workstations
- Raised access flooring (subfloor plenums)
- Interior server cabinet, including cabinet doors, exhaust fans, and server surfaces
At Construction Clean-Up Specialist, we check all of these boxes at every data center we clean. We’ve cleaned over 10 million square feet of data centers in Atlanta, and our dedicated team of specialists will leave you with a safe, clean environment every time.
We follow these protocols on every data center job:
- Clean all surfaces that could collect debris
- Incorporate non-abrasive, environmentally friendly cleaning products, as well as products free of static, lent, or dyes
- Use microfiber, anti-static technology and HEPA vacuums that filters 99.999% at 0.12 microns
- Provide different levels of cleaning depending on your geographical location
- Air monitoring of nanoscale particulate concentration
- Follow all ISO 14644:Cleanroom Standards
With no downtime required to complete our work and cleaning frequency that ranges from daily to annual based on your maintenance needs, Construction Clean-Up Specialist is the right choice for your data center.
Request a custom quote today and discover the CCS difference.