Ever since we stepped into the digital world, the server room has become the core of any company’s operations. It is where all vital data is saved — consumers, projects, sales possibilities, financial transactions, essential contracts, personnel information, compliance documents, statistical data, and more.
If we take that and the sensitive nature of physical servers into consideration, it is clear why server rooms and data centers need to be spotlessly clean. Many managers and business owners are aware of this need, but may not know how and when to clean data centers properly.
If you want to learn more about making this cleaning process more efficient and safe, keep reading. We’re here to help you keep your server rooms organized and safe for everyone.
Importance of Keeping Server Room Clean
Employees and clients rely on the server room to keep everything running smoothly around the clock. A clean and well-maintained server room is essential for optimal productivity and security. The last thing you want is for the server room to be exposed to dirt, as it could cause serious damage to your company’s hardware.
The best way to ensure your data centers and server rooms are safe is by having it thoroughly cleaned by a professional cleaning service. When your data is protected, your business will run efficiently with no breakdowns or downtime.
Reduces Downtime
Cleaning on a regular basis reduces the amount of downtime that occurs. When machines are unable to cool effectively or need to be replaced, companies face long periods of downtime and delays. Regular cleaning of the server room decreases downtime by eliminating dust, dirt, and other contaminants. In addition, it extends the equipment’s useful life, efficiency, and performance.
Lengthens the Lifespan of Equipment
Throughout the day, your server room’s computers pull in fresh air to keep their internal components cool. As debris and dust are in the air, they get pulled into the machine during cooling. This accumulation of dust might insulate them, acting as a barrier that traps heat. Server rooms that aren’t kept clean might overheat and cause costly damage. Maintaining a clean server room may increase the equipment’s performance and lifespan.
Improves Workplace Safety
Not a lot of employees are aware that short circuits can be caused by static-charged dust, and server room fires can also be caused by overheating. Data center fires may result in significant costs, including data loss, downtime, and the loss of equipment.
These accidents are almost always the result of human error and a lack of attention to detail. To minimize the chance of a fire, keep the area where your servers are located clean.
Dirty Environments Can Attract Pests
Perhaps surprising to some, server rooms are vulnerable to rodent invasion. These pests have the potential to cause significant harm by damaging the equipment, which leads to lost data and unnecessary downtime.
Mice, rats, and other pests can also spread disease if they get access to the underside of a building. The underfloor area of your data center should be cleaned by a professional cleaning service on a regular basis. This will rid your workplace of germs and allow you to catch any rodent problems before they get out of hand.
Keeps Temperatures at Bay
Your server room’s air filtration system removes pollutants, dirt, and dust from the atmosphere by filtering them out continuously. If your server room is dirty and dusty, air filters can easily get clogged, which keeps them from cooling the room effectively. The air filters in your server room’s air conditioning systems must be changed on a regular basis to ensure maximum cooling performance and to avoid overheating.
How To Keep an IT Center Running Smoothly
There are ways to keep your server room clean, safe, and running smoothly with help from your in-house team — but at some point, you’ll likely need the help of a professional cleaning company. Here are things that need to be done in order to keep your server room and data centers running in peak condition.
Keep Cords Organized
It’s easy for cables to become twisted, knotted, and lost in your server room if you have a lot of cords coming out of numerous machine outlets — but what’s even easier is to trip on them and fall.
Did you know that more than 25% of all workplace injuries are caused by slips, trips, and falls? Not only does a disorganized server room risk harm to your employees, but it can also be an ugly lawsuit if they decide to take action after getting hurt.
Other than your employees and your reputation, these unfortunate situations can also damage your equipment, possibly leading to further downtime and data loss. You can simply avoid all of this by keeping cords organized and out of the way of foot traffic. Keep the cords short and color-code them so you know the exact purpose of each cable.
Remove Any Unnecessary Items
Declutter, declutter, and declutter! Left alone, it only takes a few cables in close proximity to create chaos, let alone an entire server room cluttered with unnecessary objects and furniture.
Even though it is your data storage, it doesn’t need to turn into your physical storage area as well. Also, it’s neither safe nor helpful. Styrofoam and a lot of cardboard boxes release micro particles of debris into their surroundings. Those particles then end up piling up onto very sensitive surfaces and equipment.
Invest in custom-made shelves, special boxes, and anything that will help you keep your server room more efficient and easy to access.
Be Proactive About Cleaning
Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule for the equipment is essential. Dust buildup can affect the efficiency of equipment, make it run slower, and ultimately make it break down sooner than it should. Equipment should be wiped down regularly with correct supplies.
As accessing the inside of hardware can be close to impossible, the best solution is to use compressed air to blow off dust. Using a broom is never a good idea — it only stirs up dust and makes everything even worse. Instead of that, go for a microfiber dry mop that will trap dirt and clean effectively.
Carefully Monitor Room Temperatures
Temperature is not something that pops up immediately when you think about the cleanliness and safety of your workspace. But server rooms and data centers are full of very delicate and sensitive equipment that require the temperature to sit at an optimum level in order to perform properly.
The recommended temperature range is 64.4–80 degrees Fahrenheit, while humidity shouldn’t go below 40% or exceed 50%. If the temperature in your server room is consistently around 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, you should take steps to extend the equipment’s lifetime and avoid unnecessary damage.
Enlisting Help To Keep Server Rooms Clean, Safe, and Efficient
Cleaning is not normally a task we perceive as something we need help with. And while the mindset “We can manage it ourselves” can be beneficial, it usually does more harm than good when it comes to businesses and specialized cleaning processes.
Your in-house team is not equipped with the right knowledge to pick the exact products that are safe for each surface, and that can be very damaging — especially since you’re dealing with very delicate machinery. Plus, cleaning is usually not something your employees will be thrilled about unless it’s in their job description. It can hurt their morale and negatively affect their productivity.
When cleaning tasks become too much for your in-house team, consider hiring a commercial cleaning company. Before you partner up with anyone, make a detailed list of all of the needs your business has, and set a budget that you can stick to. If you’re unsure about what to expect when it comes to the cost of a cleaning service, get quotes in your area. Once you’re sure of what you’re looking for, you can start searching for the ideal cleaning service company to partner up with.