From Futurism · Joe Wilkins · · 1m 20s
A Bitcoin Mine Failed Its Fire Inspection, Badly
After spilling four million gallons of water, an Oklahoma crypto data center let inspectors inside, and it got worse.
In brief
After spilling four million gallons of water, an Oklahoma crypto data center let inspectors inside, and it got worse. Data centers pack huge electrical loads and hot hardware into buildings that towns often cannot afford to police, or to rescue. Originally reported by Futurism.
Four million gallons, gone
In August, a broken water line in El Reno, Oklahoma dumped close to four million gallons into the ground and brought the city to a near standstill.
Traced to the miner
The damaged line belonged to a Bitcoin-mining data center run by Athlon BT. Inspectors circling the building also found drainage, maintenance and access problems, plus expired permits.
Then they went inside
Weeks later the local fire marshal inspected the interior and found containers of flammable liquid parked next to combustible materials, and fire extinguishers nobody had maintained.
No keys for the firefighters
Electrical equipment and wiring sat in disrepair. The lockbox holding emergency access keys for first responders was empty, and the exterior vegetation broke fire code too.
A failing grade
The city graded the facility a failure, the mark reserved for buildings with severe structural or safety problems.
“indicative of a building with severe structural or safety failures”
Neighbors pay for the calls
Data centers burn easily thanks to heavy electrical loads, lithium-ion batteries and scorching chips. One Ohio township's firefighters were swamped by calls, and tax abatements leave residents covering the cost.
The main idea
Data centers pack huge electrical loads and hot hardware into buildings that towns often cannot afford to police, or to rescue.
