T 4.2 Failure of internal supply networks

In a building, a variety of networks exist for supply and disposal and thus serve as a basis for IT processes.

Supply network failure, such as:

• electricity,

• telephone and

• air conditioning / ventilation

can all lead to immediate breakdown of the IT operation. Disruption can also be caused by failure in the following areas:

• heating,

• water,

• feeders for fire-fighting water,

• sewarage,

• pneumatic dispatch,

• gas,

• reporting and control devices (intruders; fire; housekeeping control engineering) and

• intercom systems

These disruptions may occur with a substantial delay in regard to the original failure.

These networks are mutually dependent to various degrees, so that malfunctions in any one of them could also have an impact on others.

Examples:

• Power failure does not only have a direct impact on IT processes, but also affects other networks using electrically operated automatic controls. Even sewerage pipes may be provided with electric lifting pumps.

• By means of modern telecommunications facilities (ISDN technology), it is possible to build up LANs. Glitches within the telecommunications network will automatically affect the pertinent LAN.

• An outage of water supply may impair the functioning of air conditioning systems.

• Failure of the air conditioning system can impair utilisation of the building due to excessive heating or cooling, or on account of insufficient air exchange