How General International Group Delivered a Fire Safety System for Khazna Data Centers
100MW; Pilot Project; Ajman, UAE
Author: LOUIS KINGSLIN, Design and Estimation Manager (CFPS NFPA) with 15 years’ experience in the field of Fire Protection Systems for the Design & Estimation
Project Overview: Supporting Mission-Critical Data Center Infrastructure
Khazna Data Centers is a leading hyperscale data center provider in the UAE, delivering secure, scalable, and high-performance facilities that support cloud platforms, enterprise systems, and digital transformation initiatives across the region. Operating mission-critical environments require strict adherence to international safety, reliability, and performance standards.
As part of this commitment, General International Group (GIG) was engaged to supply and commission a specialized fire safety system such as VESDA by XTRALIS & Lithium-ION OFF GAS Detection by XTRALIS at one of Khazna Data Centers’ facilities in UAE. The project required a solution capable of protecting sensitive IT infrastructure while operating seamlessly within the tightly controlled thermal environment of a modern data center.
Li-Ion Battery Off-Gas Detection — Li-Ion Tamer GEN 3 (by Xtralis)
With the rise of Li-ion UPS/battery systems in data centers (including in the UAE), traditional smoke detection alone may not catch early chemical venting from failing cells. Li-ion Tamer systems are designed to detect off-gas events — one of the earliest signs of battery failure — before heat, flame, or smoke is present.
-LOUIS KINGSLIN
This project demonstrates how advanced fire detection can be seamlessly integrated into complex data center environments, delivering safety, compliance, and business continuity without operational compromise.
Very Early Warning Smoke Detection — VESDA (by Xtralis)
These are aspirating smoke detection (ASD) systems widely used in high-value critical infrastructure like data halls, electrical and UPS rooms, and battery areas.
The Challenge: Fire Safety in High-Heat, Cooling-Dependent Environments
Data centers present unique challenges when it comes to fire protection. High-density server racks, continuous electrical loads, and 24/7 operations generate significant heat, making effective cooling essential to prevent equipment failure and downtime.
One of the primary challenges in this project was ensuring that the fire safety system would not interfere with cooling performance or airflow. Any disruption to temperature control could impact system reliability or operational continuity.
Additional challenges included:
- Protecting sensitive electronic equipment without causing collateral damage
- Preventing false alarms
- Meeting stringent fire and life safety compliance standards
General International Group’s Role and Scope of Work
Fire Safety System Installation for Data Centers
General International Group was responsible for the supply and commission of a fire safety system specifically designed for data center environments: VESDA by XTRALIS lithium ION and OFF GAS Detection by XTRALIS. The system was selected and implemented to ensure early detection and rapid response while maintaining compatibility with high-performance cooling systems.
The scope of work included:
- VESDA by XTRALIS lithium ION and OFF GAS Detection by XTRALIS supply and commission suitable for data centers
- Integration with building safety and building management systems
- Configuration to operate reliably under continuous cooling conditions
- Compliance with relevant international fire and life safety standards
- Compliance with UAE fire and life safety code
Implementing Fire Safety Systems in Data Center Environments
Implementing fire safety systems in data centers requires careful consideration of the operational environment in which these facilities operate. Data centers house high-density electrical equipment and operate continuously, which means fire detection and response systems must function reliably alongside cooling, power, and monitoring systems.
Effective implementation typically involves:
- Selecting fire detection solutions appropriate for electronic equipment
- Coordinating fire safety installations with cooling, electrical, and building management systems
- Ensuring systems are installed, tested, and commissioned in line with approved designs and applicable standards
- Minimizing disruption to live operations during installation activities
Projects such as this highlight the importance of integrating fire safety systems as part of a broader, coordinated approach to data center infrastructure delivery.
The project is on track for completion in 2026, which is a record-setting timeline for a project of this scale and complexity.
Integrating XTRALIS VESDA® aspirating smoke detection and Li-Ion Tamer® off-gas detection into a data center project provides a critical layer of protection where uptime, safety, and risk management are non-negotiable. These systems enable the earliest possible warning of potential fire events, detecting lithium-ion battery cell failure and incipient smoke long before heat, flame, or visible smoke develops.
For modern data centers using lithium-ion UPS and high-density racks, early detection is essential to prevent thermal runaway, unplanned shutdowns, and costly damage to mission-critical infrastructure. VESDA minimizes false alarms in high-airflow environments, while Li-Ion Tamer specifically addresses the unique risks of lithium-ion batteries, offering targeted monitoring at rack or room level.
Together, these technologies support business continuity, regulatory compliance, and insurance requirements, while reducing the likelihood of fire suppression discharge and collateral damage. The result is a future-ready, resilient data center design that protects assets, people, and operations—aligning with international best practices and the growing safety expectations of the UAE data center market.
Reach out to LOUIS KINGSLIN,
+9714-338-3599 Ext 471 | M +971 50 857 1628
lkingslin@generalintlgroup.com
General International Group
Suite No. 234, Al Shafar Investment Building, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai