On May 22, 2025, a fire occurred at an X platform (formerly Twitter) leased data center in Hillsboro, Oregon. Fire officials identified the ignition source within the lithium-ion backup battery room. Dense smoke prompted a full building evacuation, causing over 2 hours of global service disruption due to server damage.
Fortunately, the fire was contained to the battery room, though it filled the space with heavy smoke.
Prior to Elon Musk's acquisition, Twitter maintained three data centers (Sacramento, Portland, Atlanta). This redundancy allowed traffic redistribution during outages, preventing overload at any single site. However, X closed its Sacramento data center in late 2022 for cost reduction. Subsequent migration of over 2,573 server racks to Portland and Atlanta increased load on the remaining facilities.
While batteries are essential backup power sources for data centers, lithium-ion instability combined with inadequate maintenance and safety measures has caused costly fires globally. This incident underscores the vital importance of robust physical threat prevention and response strategies. Data center architecture, equipment interaction, battery selection, and comprehensive safety protocols are decisive factors in fire prevention and control.
DFUN Project Case 1（Date Center）
For many operators, Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) batteries remain a widely adopted, cost-effective solution with a proven safety record. Deploying DFUN's Battery Health Management System (BHMS) with mature VRLA technology offers an optimal balance of initial investment and long-term operational safety. This solution effectively addresses traditional monitoring limitations, significantly enhances system reliability, and provides cost-efficient security. Alternatively, premium lithium-ion batteries with integrated fire suppression modules can also ensure reliability.
DFUN Project Case 2（Date Center）
DFUN specializes in developing backup power and battery monitoring systems. With extensive industry experience, the company provides industry-proven solutions for the R&D, design, and manufacturing of both VRLA and lithium-ion backup systems. DFUN's solutions guarantee high safety and reliability, offering valuable insights for data center operators seeking enhanced security.
Learn More: www.dfuntech.com WhatsApp: +86-15919182362 Email: info@dfuntech.com
