Laboratory Services

• Zink Whiskery Analysis: if you are experience symptomatic zinc whisker issues in your data hall. IT Cleaning Ltd will attend site to take samples using sticky pads, which are enclosed in a plastic case. The location of each sample site is noted on a drawing and given a code, this code is written on the plastic sample case. The samples are sent to our Lab. where they are analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and  Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDS). EDS tells us what the elements in the sample are, then SEM shows the shape of the element. This is important as there is a lot of zinc present in a Data Centre and not all of it is a zinc whisker, so they have the molecular make up and the correct shape.  Once the data is received from the Lab. a full report with recommendations is sent to you.
• Particulate Matter Analysis: analysis of settled particulate matter (PM) within your data hall. This will help determine where and how the PM is coming from.
• Indoor Air Pollution Analysis: IT Cleaning Ltd can arrange for your data hall, to be analysed for volatile organic compounds (VOC). This gaseous contamination can come from many sources, including the chemicals used to clean the data hall. Examples, if bleach is used to wipe down surfaces this would lead to an increase in Chlorine.  Chlorine corrodes copper, causing copper creep on PCB’s (Printed Circuit Boards). Many floor polymer coating use ammonia as the evaporation agent, as the polymer hardens ammonia is given off, ammonia causes corrosion on copper, silver and zinc. The pollution can also come from outside especially where economisers are in use. This could be Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) from burning of fuel i.e. automobile exhaust. SO2 in particular is linked to creep corrosion and PCB failure. 
• Air Condition and General Environmental Conditions including:
  – Air Flow: Evaluate air volume, velocity, cold air supply and hot air return
  – Capacity Planning: Evaluate total cooling capacity relative to current and planned usage
  – High Density Cabinets: Examine high density cabinets for sufficient airflow and temperature levels
  – Hot Spots: Identify cabinets where hot spots are an issue
  – Plenums: Evaluate air volume and pressure under the raised floor
  – Relative Humidity: Assess relative humidity throughout the data centre
  – Temperature: Assess thermal conditions where temperatures could adversely affect equipment reliability or availability

“Perhaps the most important step to take to control contamination, is to contract with a reputable computer room maintenance company, to perform routine cleaning”. John William Toigo, Disaster Recovery Planning Third Addition.