Crucial Computer Damages

Computers and servers are critical equipment for any company today. A fire, water, or other type of incident can deposit visible or invisible contamination on your Information Technology (IT) equipment. Such contaminants can lead to instant failures, and often be the cause of subsequent damage, making themselves known over time in the form of corrosion and rust. While corrosive contaminants can be quantified scientifically, determining the rate at which they will deteriorate a surface is not as easily done. Multiple factors contribute to the deterioration time line rate, such as the presence of conformal coating that may protect circuit board components, the type of metals the contaminants are reacting with, and the environmental conditions (temperature & humidity). If left unmitigated, contaminants can cause sporadic equipment failures of your crucial computer and data infrastructure long after the loss event.

Types of perils and the appropriate response

Soot contamination is often observed on equipment following a fire loss. The reason “often” is mentioned versus “always” is because the color of soot depends on the consumed matter. The environment is also important. It is far easier to spot abnormal contaminants in a clean medical facility verses a dirty manufacturing plant. For the sake of this post, let’s assume soot can be easily differentiated from everything else. When considering contaminants from consumed materials containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), even small concentrations of the byproduct will react with most metals and cause corrosion/rust.

 AREPA’s North American Executive Director, Amir Rubin, mentions a vital mistake many companies make, as a natural reaction after a fire incident, when describing the impact of the loss on their equipment: 

 “Keep in mind the distinct difference between a surface that is contaminated and equipment that sustained physical or functional damage. There is a tendency to describe both as simply “damaged”. Newly manufactured circuit boards are not damaged because they have residue from the soldering process. The manufacturer simply cleans the boards. Following a loss, the boards are decontaminated using the same processes employed by the manufacturer.”

 Amir continues with critical expert advice to help the recovery process:

 “It's vital not to power on equipment that exhibits loss related contaminants. Prematurely powering on equipment with conductive matter can cause electrical short circuits, damaging equipment that may not have sustained functional damage as a result of the loss“.

Cost benefit

A detailed restoration (decontamination, testing, repair) versus replacement cost analysis should be performed to gauge whether restoration or replacement makes most sense. There are quite a few instances whereby procurement of a new server, which may be the primary controller or “brains” of a much larger and more expensive machine, would trigger upgrades to other systems. As an example, a large $1.5M stamping press designed to shape or cut metal, utilizes a computer as the backbone of its operation (the brain). That computer communicates with various other control modules as well as the operator interface panel. Replacement of the computer with a newer version could cause a communication problem between the control modules, operator interface panel, and the new “brain”. Some view this scenario as an opportunity to advocate for a new $1.5M press. If indeed the computer must be replaced, the cost-effective solution may be to upgrade the control modules and operator interface panel. When faced with this real scenario, a quote was provided for $750K to perform the necessary upgrades. If the computer costs $1,500 to replace, and the cost to restore the original computer, as an extreme and unlikely example, is estimated at $2,500, restoration is still far more cost effective considering the $750K upgrade option.

 Upgrading controllers, in many cases, is also measured in months. In addition to the hardware, software code (ladder logic) has to be custom written for the intended use of the machine. Prolonged production downtime would cause the equipment owners’ clients to look for the same service elsewhere. Regardless of insurance proceeds that may pay for business income loss, losing clients could permanently hinder ongoing operations.

Preservation and stabilization actions following fire/water contamination incidents

Even if there is no obvious physical damage, it is important to follow these steps:

•  Avoid powering on equipment, not even for testing, before it has been properly inspected by a professional decontamination expert.
• If there is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) protecting the server, it should be powered off.
• Dehumidifiers should be introduced to control unstable environments. Maintaining a relative humidity below 40 percent will help slow the rate of surface deterioration when exposed to corrosive contaminants.

AREPA helps restore confidence in your equipment.