Emergency light in server cupboard?

[cprfenom]

Morning folks.

A small company has a small server cabinet and have relocated it in to a small 1m x 2m cupboard. As it stands they have asked me to install a light.

My question is, should I put in an emergency light? The room will not have anything other than the server in it.

Regards

 

[SPARTYKUS]

On the one hand its a good idea, but a regular system for checking it still works as per any other emergency light installation should be put in place.

 

[Farmelectrics]

yes if it were me, install an emergency light fitting

 

[Plonker 3]

Why would you want to install a EM light in there?

 

[a1guvner]

If they are running UPS then it could be handy to check battery levels etc

 

[Plonker 3]

If they are running UPS then it could be handy to check battery levels etc

Why not just switch a normal light on to do that?

 

[a1guvner]

Why not just switch a normal light on to do that?

dont emergency lights normally go into emergency operation in the event of a power failure like the same time the UPS would kick in, not difficult to work out really is it

 

[Plonker 3]

A UPS is designed to safely shut down PCs not keep them running for long periods of time, so the light on the screen should suffice for this?

Unless the install is in a area of regular power cuts I really cant see why you would fit one.

 

[a1guvner]

A UPS is designed to safely shut down PCs not keep them running for long periods of time, so the light on the screen should suffice for this?

Unless the install is in a area of regular power cuts I really cant see why you would fit one.

Yes depending on the size of the UPS, small ones would be for say a single PC and only allow time to shut down but what about large installations that cannot afford to have the server go offline, for the cost of a bulkhead in this situation it should at least be offered as an option for the end user to address their requirements

 

[Plonker 3]

I wouldnt rely on a UPS for too long, seen many where the batteries are knackered, for any long term use there should be a secondary power source (eg generator) to kick in ASAP after the power cut.

 

[a1guvner]

True, But you would also need a well maintained UPS to cope with the gen set changeover at least, if people dont maintain their UPS they must expect possible data loss issues.

 

[cprfenom]

Thank you for the replies. I have checked the UPS and its really only able to ensure the server shuts down safely. The server cupboard is not really going to be an accessible area except for the I.T guys.

I gave the customer the option and he doesn't want to pay the additional to install an emergency light, so its made the question redundant.

 

[ian.settle1]

dont emergency lights normally go into emergency operation in the event of a power failure like the same time the UPS would kick in, not difficult to work out really is it

In the event of a power failure last thing I would be worried about is a server.

With the heat that servers throw out can't see it lasting in that sized room anyway unless the room has got ac.