{"id":16701,"date":"2019-01-10T16:03:14","date_gmt":"2019-01-10T23:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serverlift.com\/?p=16701"},"modified":"2025-05-02T16:43:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T16:43:42","slug":"data-center-equipment-safety-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serverlift.com\/pt\/blog\/data-center-equipment-safety-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"Assuntos de seguran\u00e7a de equipamentos de data center: Aqui est\u00e1 o motivo: #8217; s"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Historically, the data center industry has been resistant to stagnation. Year over year, it sees tremendous growth and advancement. The <\/span>Cisco Global Cloud Index<\/span><\/a> shows sustained trends in both data center virtualization and cloud computing, with growth in nearly every associated sector. This positive news extends through 2021, when \u201c<\/span>data center storage installed capacity will [have grown] to 2.6 ZB, up from 663 EB in 2016, nearly a four-fold growth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Growth is always good news, but the way work is conducted in the data center needs to keep pace with it all. With more work comes greater challenges\u2014not just in volume, but also in the practical logistics of operations. Keeping pace with the physical handling of servers and other rack-mounted equipment, for example, is now potentially more dangerous than ever. <\/span><\/p>

The primary <\/span>concern<\/span><\/a> in this area is still safety\u2014the prevention of physical incidents, including accidents and muscle strain. <\/span>Lifting and handling<\/span><\/a> capacity remains up for debate, even when it should not. Operators are often lifting more by hand than they should\u2014or need to. Many times, they are also tasked with lifting using devices that were not designed for the data center.<\/span><\/p>

Other top concerns include electrical work; heat; working at height; transitioning to new hardware and equipment without adequate training; operating at lower cost (leading to tired workers on longer shifts); DC density increasing; <\/span>zombie servers<\/span><\/a>, and the pressure to move or eliminate legacy systems.<\/span><\/p>

We spoke with data center safety expert Walter Leclerc of Digital Realty about these growing industry demands and the need for a greater focus on safety. <\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe demands for DCs are exploding, and the need for efficiency and risk aversion is paramount. DCMs must protect the safety of employees, customers, contractors, and visitors by reducing operational risk, while ensuring that their facility is running properly and uptime is maximized. DCMs need to have effective policies in place, procedures to follow and the right equipment to do the job safely,\u201d Leclerc asserts.<\/span><\/p>

Thankfully, a number of <\/span>proactive practices<\/span><\/a> are also becoming more common. Proper planning, including the right solutions for equipment transportation and installation, can eliminate so many of the risks we\u2019ve mentioned. <\/span><\/p>

Following data center regulations and utilizing a purpose-built Assisted Lifting Device (ALD) addresses many of these concerns. The only lift that makes sense in a data center space is one designed specifically to solve all its many unique safety challenges.<\/span><\/p>

What follows is a safety-focused comparison of the choices presented as good options in the market, including ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup> devices. The results are primarily based on a commissioned functionality and product performance review\u2014via Arizona State University\u2014of the ServerLIFT\u00a0SL-350X\u00ae<\/sup> hand-cranked data center lift, alongside a Racklift device and a standard manual warehouse lift. We will take a deep dive into how those results speak to the safety of all three devices.<\/span><\/p>

Obstacles and Tipping Points<\/h2>

Some of the hidden dangers in data centers include floor obstacles like cord covers, door thresholds, and ramps that put rolling equipment at risk of tipping.<\/span><\/p>

ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup><\/h3>

With nearly a full inch of ground clearance underneath its machines, ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup>\u2019s machine passed ASU\u2019s competitive testing without issue. They navigated every floor obstruction with ease. The onboard server remained stable, and the unit didn\u2019t show a hint of tending toward tipping. ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup> devices have a tested tipping point of over 150% of full rated load at the edge of its fully extended platform shelf\u2014all while keeping itself stable without being attached or tethered to anything.<\/span><\/p>

Warehouse Lift<\/h3>

The warehouse lift and Racklift results were identical for cord and mat obstruction testing. The warehouse lift was unable to pass over either without tipping, with or without a server on board.<\/span><\/p>

Server Installation and Removal<\/h2>

The most pivotal aspect of server handling is the transfer from the ALD to the rack, or vice versa. At this most tenuous of moments, the stability of the lift and being able to work with a clear and safe line of sight to the equipment is of utmost importance.<\/span><\/p>

ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup><\/h3>

The <\/span>ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup> device<\/span><\/a> stays stable during the installation and removal process. It does not shift, pinch hands, or strain arms and backs. Results from Arizona State University show the installation test was both easy and successful. These units are all self-supporting and stable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This is due, in part, to a heavy-duty steel frame and stabilizer brakes that actually lift the back wheels slightly up off the ground to prevent rolling during an equipment transfer.<\/span><\/p>

Warehouse Lift<\/h3>

This was another very complicated and difficult installation for operators, beginning with the lack of brakes. A foot placed on the lift held it relatively still, but there was constant worry that the server would fall and be damaged. A hand also had to be used to hold one rail in place as the other was adjusted, because both could not be assessed visually at once.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The warehouse lift suffers the same fate as the Racklift in terms of stability. There is no scenario in which is can be adequately stabilized other than by having a colleague brace it with their own body weight, which is unsafe.<\/span><\/p>

Visibility and Ergonomics<\/h2>

An ALD within the data center can be an essential tool, provided it doesn\u2019t get in your way. Ensuring the ALD makes the task at hand easier and not more complicated is critical to keeping you and your payload safe.<\/span><\/p>

ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup><\/h3>

ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup> devices are designed with a longer but narrow structure that does not compromise visibility. Issues with obstructions are also, therefore, a non-issue. The placement of the winch and other primary mechanisms keeps these things out of the way of the operator for a worry-free server install.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As ASU reviewers noted, it was also the only lift that could be nested closely with server housing for easy transfer. This keeps the chances of equipment sliding or falling to a minimum, keeping operators safe and protected. Handles and their placement also received high marks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

According to the review team, they provide better ability to pivot and provide control, while the braking system and easy-to-reach pedals were noted for their simplicity of use and navigational superiority. Ergonomic features such as these shield the user from surprise adjustments, and keep movements smooth and natural, preventing injuries.<\/span><\/p>

Warehouse Lift<\/h3>

Originally, the light and spare frame of the warehouse lift appeared optimal for line of sight during ASU\u2019s testing. That proved to be inaccurate due to the small amount of space allotted to the operator between the server and the lift frame. In fact, it led to an injury for the operator. Their finger was jammed due to low visibility.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The brakes could not be evaluated because there were none. Braking the machine consisted of holding it in place with a foot several inches off of the floor. Again, movement during installation or removal without an alternative stabilizing mechanism is an incident waiting to happen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

As expected, these features would be ideal for the less precise handling of boxes in a warehouse environment, but fall well short when it comes to working with sensitive, expensive servers in a data center.<\/span><\/p>

The Evolving Data Center<\/h2>

Inside the data center, experts already know that there are limits to manual lifting that should not be ignored. As the analysis demonstrates, there are also major issues with attempting to use a non-purpose-built or poorly designed lifting devices within these same confines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In every category, the ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup> data center lift demonstrated not just <\/span>superior<\/span><\/a> but exceptional, and hence safer, results. It is a device designed specifically to solve every safety problem involved with handling servers in data centers. More importantly, it does not solve one safety challenge only to create new ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The warehouse lift did not meet the standards put in place to protect the people who maintain some of our most expensive data center real estate. Warehouse lifts, in particular, are deeply unsuited for the DC environment. <\/span><\/p>

ServerLIFT\u00ae<\/sup> solutions are the right and only safe choice:<\/span><\/p>