Pollution Exposures for Data Centers and Cloud Computing Locations

The development of new data centers across the country is at an all time high. With the surging demand for AI digital infrastructure, the steep increase in the number of data centers will continue for years to come. The pollution exposures for these locations must be examined in terms construction, as well as daily operations once they are up and running.

Rainstorm runoﬀ issues.
Contaminated soil and its proper disposal.
These facilities require backup generators with large fuel storage tanks.
Pollution hostile ﬁre clean up events.
Issues relating to lithium batteries on site.

Beacon Hill Associates oﬀers Site Pollution Liability and Owner Controlled Construction Pollution Wraps for data center insureds, including Clean Up, Restoration Costs, and Business Interruption.

News Stories Involving Pollution and Data Centers & Cloud Computing Locations

Will data centers imperil drinking water in Northern Virginia?
Can data centers and drinking water go together? Proposed data centers could contribute “hundreds of millions of gallons” of increased stormwater runoﬀ and associated pollution to waters that run into Manassas National Battleﬁeld Park, Prince William Forest Park and the Occoquan Reservoir.

Fuel line burst sparks ﬁre at local data center on West Side
Fireﬁghters extinguished a ﬁre at a local data center when a fuel line burst, causing a ﬁre that damaged generator tanks and a trailer. According to the San Antonio Fire Department, the ﬁre began when a vendor was in the process of ﬁlling generators with diesel fuel. A line split, releasing fuel onto the hot exhaust, which ignited. The ﬁre quickly spread, causing signiﬁcant damage to the generator tanks and the trailer.

New AI Data Center Raises Alarms Over Pollution
Data centers use a vast amount of electricity and water. Outcry has grown among community members and environmental groups, who warn of the plant’s potential negative impact on air quality, water access, and grid stability, especially for nearby neighborhoods that have suﬀered from industrial pollution for decades.

Data centers are booming — and ﬁre ﬁghters must adapt to new challenges
Responding to a data center ﬁre requires a completely diﬀerent approach than a typical structure ﬁre. Coordinating with building personnel, using the correct suppression agents, avoiding electrically charged equipment, radio operation challenges, and issues related to lithium-ion batteries are all things ﬁre ﬁghters need to consider as they respond to emergencies at these facilities.

For more information or to discuss a data center account, please contact us. We can review with you the coverages available, including Business Interruption.

Type: Blog