Data Centre Failures

Cracking the reason for business interruption:
safeguarding operational resilience

Link to access Data Centre Failure Investigations page

Data Centre & Critical Operations Failure Forensics & Business Interruption Investigations

At Mission Critical Forensics, we specialize in forensic analysis for data centre failures and other mission-critical operations. Our approach was forged in environments where failure is not an option. Led by our principal engineer with direct experience as a Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) instructor and examiner, our team applies the same systemic rigour used to certify hundreds of global data centres to every investigation. We look beyond the initial point of failure to identify latent vulnerabilities, delivering definitive, data-driven conclusions that can support insurance claims, withstand legal scrutiny and maximize subrogation recovery.

Investigating technical failures specific to these complex systems:

I. Electrical System & Components

Analyzing incidents involving critical power infrastructure, including:

  • Power interruptions in redundant systems

  • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and generator malfunctions

  • Faults in Power Distribution Units (PDUs), transformers and generators

  • Electrical disturbances (power surges, harmonics) impacting critical equipment

  • Equipment failure in high-availability environments

  • Electrically induced arcing, fires, and explosions

  • Lightning strike assessments and surge damage

  • Utility power surge incidents and distribution faults

II. Mechanical & Material Failures

Investigating breakdowns in mechanical systems crucial for facility operation, such as:

  • Cooling system failures leading to thermal shutdowns

  • HVAC system malfunctions

  • Material degradation or defects affecting critical components

  • Rotating equipment failures

  • Metallurgical, polymer, and chemical degradation analysis

  • Material science assessments

  • Water Damage

III. Operational Incidents

Determining the cause of failures triggered by operational activities, including:

  • Design flaws revealed under load conditions

  • Operational errors or maintenance oversights

IV. Control System Anomalies

Investigating failures linked to software and control systems, such as:

  • Building Automation Systems (BAS)

  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)

  • Electrical Power Monitoring System (EPMS)

V. Fire & Explosion Incident

Determining the origin and cause of fires or explosions occurring within critical facility environments, including those:

  • Initiated by electrical systems

  • Triggered by equipment breakdowns

MCF's Holistic Investigative Process

Investigations into data centre and critical facility failures are systematic and technically rigorous, typically including:

  • Incident Data Collection: Gathering operational logs, alarm data, maintenance records, witness statements, and physical evidence.

  • Site Inspection & Evidence Preservation: On-site examinations with proper documentation and preservation of critical evidence.

  • System & Component Analysis: Performing tests to replicate failure conditions and detailed analysis of failed components using advanced techniques.

  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Employing structured methodologies to identify underlying technical and procedural causes.

  • Detailed Reporting: Delivering clear, comprehensive, evidence-based reports detailing failure sequence, root cause(s), contributing factors, and findings suitable for insurance/legal cases.

Why Choose Mission Critical Forensics for Data Centre & Critical Facility Failures?

Our team provides expert investigation and analysis for complex system failures in critical facilities, offering distinct advantages:

  • Our Systemic Rigor: The MCF Difference: While many firms stop at the initial point of failure, we believe in a deeper, more comprehensive analysis. Our methodology, refined through our work with a leading international authority on data center standards, goes beyond surface-level issues to uncover latent vulnerabilities and systemic flaws. We provide a full picture of the failure, empowering you with the insights needed to not only resolve the current incident but also to prevent future ones.

  • Unparalleled Technical Depth: Our expertise is proven through direct experience with a leading international authority on data center standards, where we were responsible for teaching and examining the principles of design and operation. We have reviewed and certified nearly a hundred data centers of all sizes, from small-scale operations to 500MW mega facilities. This unparalleled insight gives us an unmatched understanding of complex electrical, mechanical, and operational systems.

  • Proven Investigators: Our investigators are not only skilled in forensic methodologies and evidence handling but also possess a unique insight into the intricate failure scenarios that can plague data centers, from operational oversights to control system anomalies. This expertise is a direct result of our mission-critical experience where failure is not an option.

  • Claims & Legal Support: Providing technical evidence and analysis crucial for insurance claims, subrogation, and legal proceedings.

  • Objective & Impartial: Committed to unbiased, evidence-based analysis to uncover the truth.

  • Clear Reporting: Delivering thorough, well-documented reports that are clear and understandable for all stakeholders.

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