G 0.3 Water

Water can impair the integrity and availability of information stored on analog and digital storage media. Information in the main memory of IT systems is also at risk. The uncontrolled entry of water into buildings or rooms can be caused by, for example:

• Disturbances in water supply or wastewater disposal,
• defects in heating systems,
• defects in air conditioning systems with water connections,
• defects in sprinkler systems,
• fire suppression water during firefighting, and
• water sabotage, e.g., by turning on water taps and clogging drains.

Regardless of how water enters buildings or rooms, there is a risk that supply systems or IT components may be damaged or put out of service (short circuit, mechanical damage, rust, etc.). Particularly if central building supply systems (main power, telephone, and data distribution points) are located in basements without automatic drainage, ingress water can cause very high damage.

Problems can also arise from frost. For example, pipes in frost-prone areas can become leaky if water stagnates in them during prolonged frost. Even existing thermal insulation can be overcome by frost over time.

Example:

• In a server room, a water line ran below the ceiling, which was covered with drywall elements. When a connection in the water line became leaky, this was not detected in time. The escaping water initially collected at the lowest point of the covering before it leaked out there and caused a short circuit in the power distribution panel below. As a result, both the water and power supply to the affected part of the building had to be completely shut off until the repair was completed.