Some super helpful tips on server room evacuation.
I myself now have 20 years of experience in clearing server rooms and I know what is involved.
In many conversations with clients now, I have also heard how things can go terribly wrong.
Clearing a computer room is complex.
You really can’t do it yourself and a thoughtful approach is necessary to get it done quickly.
Do you have any tips of your own?
Or do you have experiences with server rooms or computer rooms evacuation?
Then leave a comment at the bottom of this blog!
Tip 1.
First try to let another person solve it
Before you start making plans to have your server room cleared, it is smart to first ask yourself if you are the party who should clear the server room.
If you are moving then the next user might want the server room.
Or maybe you can make a deal with the landlord and (with some money off) leave the server room sitting.
Or the old building is about to be demolished.
You have to remember that a server room eviction (almost) always costs a lot of money.
The materials and old metals that come out never cover the cost of having it taken out.
Tip 2.
Think about what you want and where you want to go
If you are going to vacate, it is important to know well in advance what the final result should be.
What will happen to that space when it is no longer a server room?
Or will the entire building be demolished?
If you want to turn it into a neat office after removing the server room, you will need a contractor.
Above all, talk to the contractor first about how the space should be delivered.
Oh yeah … and figure out for yourself when it needs to be ready. 
Tip 3.
Make a deal for the entire project with a company
To me it seems very silly to sell a few more nice servers loose for good money and then make a deal with the cooling specialist and then have the electrician come in.
Then the computer recycler and so on.
This way it’s really going to take weeks and become a headache file.
Organizing the evacuation of a server room…. better not do that yourself.
Try to have the project done by a party that will take care of everything for you.
You will often find that such a party will then hire one or more subcontractors.
Tip 4.
Really only do business with reputable companies
There are many tinkers who do want to clear your old server room.
And quite possibly the corner hardware store will make you an offer, too.
But remember that clearing a server room really is a specialized job.
There is a lot involved and quite a bit of organizing to do.
So ask for references and look at the quote very carefully.
Does the quote really state everything that needs to be done?
Is it clear when it has to be done?
And what are the exclusions and what about additional work?
Does the company have experience with these kinds of jobs?
And do they work according to legal guidelines?
If it’s about data destruction and computer waste then they have to have WEEELABEX, if it’s about cooling systems and air conditioning then they have to have a STEK certificate.
You really need to ask about this!
Many companies proudly report that they have VIHB and/or NIWO, but everyone has that and it is not enough.
Tip 5.
Destroy data
It is convenient to have the declutterer also clean up the old servers, of course.
But there is still data on those, of course.
So ask very carefully in advance how they are going to destroy that data.
The best way is of course with a mobile shredder in front of the door so you can watch.
This is also the most expensive.
If a company says they issue a certificate then that is really NOT GOOD.
If you have a company clean up servers and destroy data check that company is WEEELABEX certified.
WEEELBAEX certification is a legal requirement for these types of companies.
Check for www.weeelabex.org.
If they are not on it, I would not entrust hard disks and tapes to them.
Want to know more about data destruction?
Then click here.
Tip 6.
Patch cabinets 
Very often the old server room contains patch cabinets with network cables to all the workstations in the building.
If you only remove the racks and equipment from the server room, then those patch cabinets can usually stay and the internal wiring in your building remains intact.
However, if you have the entire infrastructure taken out then you usually cannot keep the patch cabinets.
If the new user has to pull new wires to all the workstations then it’s going to cost a really big deal.
Tip 7.
Air conditioning and refrigeration systems
There is a refrigerant in the refrigeration system, this refrigerant has to come out and it has to be collected and recycled according to legal regulations.
There is a logbook with every refrigeration system and it says how much and what kind of refrigerant it contains.
The name of refrigerant starts with the letter R and then 3 letters, for example R407 and the amount is expressed in kilograms.
If you invite a company to make an offer they will want to see the logbook.
Draining a refrigeration system must be done by a company with STEK certification.
Afterwards you get a certificate from STEK and a note is made in the logbook.
You must keep the logbook even if the machine is long gone.
Want to read more about dismantling cooling systems?
Then click here.
Tip 8.
Nuisance
Clearing a server room is always a big plus that usually takes several days, or longer.
Keep in mind that the workers may cause nuisance to colleagues or neighbors.
Make arrangements for this in advance and see if there is anything about this in the quotation.
Tip 9.
Better tackled well and finished on time than something cheaper
This last tip actually sums up all of the above.
If you have a good plan and you know what you want, hire a good company and don’t go for the lowest price.
If you deal with professionals a server room evacuation will be taken care of in no time.
If you are dealing with tinkers you just have to wait and see what surprises are coming.