Why this matters now
AI training clusters are being deployed in prefabricated modules and containers, often next to battery energy storage. That puts two fire questions on the same steel box: will a fire inside stay inside, and will a fire outside — including a neighbouring battery container — get in? Both are answered by the fire resistance of the enclosure: walls, roof, floor, doors, penetrations and joints.
UL 2755 is the North American safety standard for modular data centres. In addition, many countries regulate an occupiable data centre container as a building, so the building code's fire resistance ratings apply to its envelope.
What gets tested
| Element | North America | Europe | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walls and partitions (non-load-bearing) | UL 263 / ASTM E119 | EN 1363-1, EN 1364-1 | ISO 834-1, ISO 834-8 |
| Roof / ceiling | UL 263 / ASTM E119 | EN 1364-2, EN 1365-2 | ISO 834-9 |
| Doors | UL 10C (positive pressure), UL 10B | EN 1634-1 | ISO 3008-1 |
| Insulation and linings | — | EN 13823, EN ISO 1182, EN ISO 11925-2 | — |
All of the test methods in this table are within our CNAS accreditation scope, with the exclusions listed on each standard page.
Where projects go wrong
- Joints and penetrations. Panel joints, cable and pipe penetrations and door frames are the usual failure points, not the panel core.
- Testing the wrong specimen. A small panel without joints passes; the real wall with joints does not. Choose the specimen that represents the worst case.
- Late discovery. Fire resistance is often raised by the AHJ after the design is fixed. Simulation and an early indicative test cost far less than a redesign.
Frequently asked questions
Is a containerised data centre a building or equipment?
It depends on the jurisdiction. Many authorities treat modular data centres that people can enter as buildings, which brings building-code fire resistance requirements for walls, roofs and doors. Ask the AHJ early; the answer drives which tests you need.
Which fire tests are usually needed for an AI data centre module?
Fire resistance of the wall and roof panels (UL 263 or ASTM E119 for North America; EN 1363 / EN 1364 for Europe; ISO 834 elsewhere), fire resistance of the doors (UL 10C positive pressure for swinging doors in the US; EN 1634-1 in Europe), and reaction to fire of insulation and linings. Battery rooms add UL 9540A data.
Can you test a full container wall?
We test representative panels and joints in our fire resistance furnaces. Joints, penetrations and door frames are where enclosures usually fail, so we help you choose the specimen that represents the worst case.