Home / Sectors / Data Centres and Plant Rooms
DSEAR risk assessments · Sector
DSEAR risk assessments for data centres and plant rooms
Data centres and plant rooms rarely look like hazardous workplaces, but they concentrate batteries, fuel and refrigerants in enclosed rooms. DSEAR asks whether any of those can release a flammable gas, vapour or mist, and what would happen if they did.
- CharteredAssessments led by a CMIOSH member
- DSEAR assessments onlyNo fire risk work, no training
- Fixed priceAgreed before we attend
- No equipment salesAdvice you can take at face value
What we assess
Where DSEAR applies on a data centres and plant rooms site
| Area | Substance | Source of release | Typical classification | Typical controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery room | Hydrogen | Charging of lead-acid batteries | Zone 2 or none | Ventilation rate confirmed, alarms and interlocks tested |
| Generator fuel store | Diesel vapour and mist | Day tank vents, transfer points, leaks | Assessed, often none | Bunding, leak detection, ignition sources kept clear of spill areas |
| Cooling plant room | Flammable refrigerant (A2L) | Leaks from pipework and joints | Zone 2 or none | Leak detection, ventilation, equipment selection |
| UPS battery room (lithium-ion) | Flammable off-gas | Cell venting on failure | Assessed case by case | Detection, ventilation, manufacturer data reviewed |
Classification depends on quantities, ventilation and layout. A real report classifies each source on your site.
On site
What we check
- Battery types, charging arrangements and room ventilation
- Generator fuel storage, transfer and day tank arrangements
- Refrigerant types in cooling plant and where they could leak
- Whether existing detection and ventilation match the assessed risk
- Ignition sources, from hot work to non-rated electrical equipment
Typical clients
Sites we assess in this sector
Large-scale battery energy storage systems and fuel installations that sit outside a normal building services set-up need a specialist in high hazard process safety.
Coverage
Where we survey data centres and plant rooms sites
We visit sites across England, Wales and Scotland. These are some of the areas we are asked about most often.
Questions
Before you ask for a quote
Do lead-acid UPS batteries need a DSEAR assessment?
They are assessed. Charging can release hydrogen, which is flammable from 4% in air. In a well-ventilated room the result is often no hazardous zone, but the assessment is where that is confirmed and recorded.
What about lithium-ion UPS batteries?
We assess the credible release of flammable off-gas from cell failure, and whether the room ventilation, detection and layout cope with it. The manufacturer's data forms part of the evidence.
Get a quote
Tell us what you store and where
A quick call or email is enough to confirm scope and price. It helps if you can send:
- Site address and type of business
- Flammable liquids, gases or dusts you use or store, with rough quantities
- Safety data sheets, if you have them
- A simple layout plan or a few photos
Contact DSEAR Specialists
Ferryhill
DL17 8DQ
Response within one working day.