HP StorageWorks 200 Storage Virtualization System site preparation guide (AE071-96003, October 2006)

Acoustics
The acoustic emission specification for the system is:
• 65 dB (A) soun
d pressure, operator position (1 meter from the floor and surface of the cabinet)
Yo u can reduce the ambient noise level caused by equipment and air conditioning blowers in your
computer room by:
• Installing
a dropped ceiling covered in commercial-grade, fire-resistant, acoustic-rated, fiberglass
ceiling tile
• Covering the walls in sound-deadening material
• Installin
g foam rubber removable partitions
Dust an d pollution control
Airborne contaminants and particles of a certain size and hardness can damage the system. Some of the
most common contaminants are dust, smoke, ash, eraser debris, food crumbs, and salty air.
Mechanical filters on the system protect it by trapping large dust particles. Smaller par ticles can pass
through some filters, and can eventually cause problems in mechanical parts. Prevent small dust particles
fro m entering the computer room by maintaining its air conditioning system at a high static air pressure
level.
Your HP representative can help you determine if you need to be concerned about airborne contaminants.
Metallic particulate contamination
Metallic particulates can be especially harmful around electronic equipment. This type of c ontamination
may enter the data center environment from a variety of sources, including but not limited to raised floor
tiles, w
orn air conditioning p arts, heating ducts, rotor brushes in vacuum cleaners, or printer component
wear. B
ecause metallic particulates conduct electricit y, they have a n increased potential for creating
short circuits in electronic equipment.
Over time, very fine whiskers of pure metal can form on ele ctroplated zinc, cadmium, or tin surfaces.
If thes
e whiskers are disturbed, they may break off and become airborne, possibly causing failures or
opera
tional interruptions. For over 50 years, the electronics industry has been aware of the relatively
rare but possible threat posed by metallic particulate contamination. During recent years, a growing
concern has developed in computer rooms where these conductive contaminants are formed on the
bottom of some raised floor tiles.
Altho
ugh this problem is relatively rare, it may be an issue within your computer room. Since metallic
cont
amination can cause permanent or intermittent failures on your electronic equipment, HP strongly
reco
mmends that your site be evaluated for metallic par ticulate contamination before installation of
electronic equipment.
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