Server rooms - High tech hearing protection??

Mike1983

Mike1983

Mike1983

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Joined
16 Nov 2007
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811
Hello

Not the typical tech question but I was wondering if there are any people here experienced with working in noisy server rooms / data centres over long periods and if so do you take any precautions regarding ear plugs etc?

Albeit not servers, we deploy a lot of technology in buildings similar to data centres, lots of fans (equipment and A/C) permanently running for the entire shift (12hr consecutive shifts)

We use ear plugs but this makes communicating with colleagues difficult. I was wondering if anyone has experience of a more advanced solution to drowning out the background noise but keeping comms with colleagues open?

I remember reading about a radio / mic system that the military use with custom moulded ear plugs which would be fantastic but obviously assumed to be too expensive and not "staff generic".

A long shot but does anyone have any decent ideas or direct experience?

Thank you
 
What about noise cancelling headphones? They should cancel the background drone but wont necessarily restrict the ability to head voices in close proximity.

Never tried it myself but might do next time I'm headed to a DC.
 
I just have disposable 3M plugs, they work fine. Communication is more of a hand-waving and pointing affair but it's not too much hassle. There shouldn't be a need for any really advanced communication since device configuration won't be happening in the actual data hall. Same with cabling a rack up - that should be planned out before and people just work off printed Visio diagrams or whatever.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Got in touch with a specialist company who do all kinds of systems for the likes of motor racing, oil rigs, fire service etc... They're going to come and visit us to demonstrate a few options.

Will report back when decided.
 
We have those pink and yellow 3M (I think?) plugs sat in little hoppers where you turn a handle and they drop out.

I like telling new people they are sweets and see who falls for it, more than you'd think :)
 
We used electronic ear defenders in the army for use on the ranges. They would cancel out sounds above a certain decibel, but when talking it sent the speech through to the speaker in the ear cup. Currently in the data centre where I work we use bog standard ear defenders.
 
Machine rooms have to adhere to health and safety rules, using equipment that is not sanctioned may break these rules. So be careful what you choose to use, it could shut the door to any compensation claim if something goes wrong! Even leave you open to litigation, in the worst-case could lead to a manslaughter charge. You have to be able to hear safety instructions and alarms notifications!
 
Mike1983 said:
Hello

Not the typical tech question but I was wondering if there are any people here experienced with working in noisy server rooms / data centres over long periods and if so do you take any precautions regarding ear plugs etc?

Albeit not servers, we deploy a lot of technology in buildings similar to data centres, lots of fans (equipment and A/C) permanently running for the entire shift (12hr consecutive shifts)

We use ear plugs but this makes communicating with colleagues difficult. I was wondering if anyone has experience of a more advanced solution to drowning out the background noise but keeping comms with colleagues open?

I remember reading about a radio / mic system that the military use with custom moulded ear plugs which would be fantastic but obviously assumed to be too expensive and not "staff generic".

A long shot but does anyone have any decent ideas or direct experience?

Thank you
Click to expand...


It's a good question, I now have tinnitus partly due to data centre work and partly due to working in a papermill on production systems. I used soft temp ear plugs and they don't work.
Noise reducing plugs will not work either, the only real solution is to get complete ear covers, similar to the ones used on building sites.
The noise of a 1000 or so servers really is loud and im glad you are asking the question before damage.

As for com, mic... forget it.... seal your ears and get a visual indicator.
 
Hi all

We did some initial kit trials and my employer met this with positive praise and confirmed funding for a high tech solution. I've settled on a system that works as an over the ear defender with the ability to electronically pipe in ambient noise (dB limited) and also active mic comms between colleagues.

It's been a good project and has even made the equipment room owner consider additional safeguards for other staff who work in there (as they should have done already!)

Mike
 
Visual alarms in addition to audible ones, and ways of monitoring lone workers and responding to incidents in a timely fashion would be higher up my list than trying to get a system working around active noise cancelling ear protection - in terms of ensuring they stay charged up so are available when people need them, wireless communication is reliable enough in a room full of 7ft high steel racks etc etc. But good luck with it, let us know what you end up with.

What are you doing in your data centres that requires a lot of talking to colleagues? Because that could be an area for improvement as well.
 
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