T 1.16 Failure of patch fields due to fire

Patch panels and line distributors connecting cables of the internal building power network to the external public power network may be damaged by a fire to the extent that it is no longer possible to smoothly transmit data. In this case, the damage is not exclusively caused by the heat of the fire. The smoke caused by the fire alone has the power to severely damage the sensitive connection technology. The use of extinguishing media (water, powder, foam) will cause additional damage.

Once such a damage event has occurred, it is generally impossible to simply connect any available replacement hardware to patch panels and/or line distributors damaged by fire in order to at least start emergency operations as quickly as possible.

In general, the repair work necessary after a fire is very extensive, costly, and time-consuming, and usually results in long downtimes of the IT.