The Structure
Electrical Power
Fire Suppression
Security
Post Disaster Facility

The Structure

We are currently located in the Milwest Centre, where construction began in 1991. At an estimated cost of $10 million dollars, the Milwest Centre was built to withstand hurricane-force winds of up to 135 km/h.

The building was also designed to be functional after 9.5 earthquakes, 1.5 times the normal specifications for such a facility. (Note: the largest earthquake recorded was 9.3 on the Richter scale, during the early 1900's in Alaska.) One of the most disaster-resistant facilities on the planet, CUBE has earned the reputation as the 'Fort Knox' of the North.

Engineers from Japan and California were consulted to ensure the buildings stability.

The building's foundation is located on solid igneous rock, penetrating 22 km deep into the earth's crust.
It is located 35 meters above sea level, safe from tsunamis, and water tables. In addition, water sensors strategically located within the premises that alert the off-site monitoring station of any water presence in the facility.
The facility is a steel I-beam structure and has been built to withstand 135 km/h wind. The roof was built with channels to eliminate the possibility of it being lifted by strong winds. (Note: the highest recorded wind in BC is 122 km/h; highest recorded wind offshore was 132 km/h at Race Rocks.)
The facility does not use natural gas (disaster prevention) and there are no gas lines within 150 meters of the building.

Electrical Power

The facility is equipped with a building-wide uninterrupted power supply (UPS) backed up by a power generator. If the power fails, the UPS batteries (50 KVA) continue to provide power to all essential circuits located throughout the facility. The UPS batteries will last for 30 minutes; however, within 8 seconds of any power failure, the power generators take over the delivery of conditioned power throughout the building.

There are backup power generators located throughout the facility. The power generators are tested monthly under full load to ensure their readiness. All backup systems are set to run at 75% maximum capacity. There are enough generator supplies and diesel fuel on hand to make the building self sufficient for 7 days. Refueling can be accomplished by helicopter if roads are inaccessible.

Fire Suppression

The facility has one of the most sophisticated fire suppression and alarm systems in the world, composed of sensors and pre-action zoned sprinklers. There are hundreds of sensors in place to detect fire, heat, smoke, and ion particles. These sensors are integrated into the facility's security system and are monitored by Chubb Security on a 24/7 basis.

The fire suppression system is dry charged; under normal operations, the fire suppression water pipes are vacuumed. Water discharges very quickly from the water main, only on demand. This is how it works:

The sensor detects fire
The sensor is checked
A comparison query is made to secondary sensors
When confirmed, only the required sprinkler heads activate

Because the pipes are dry during normal operations, there is no danger of damage through leakage or pipes bursting.

The system is checked and tested once a year by an independent company. The facility is also inspected annually by the Fire Inspector.

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the facility.

Walls throughout the facility are unfinished to reduce the combustible fuel load to less than 1.5 lbs per square foot of floor space. (Note: the average combustible fuel load in commercial buildings is usually 10 times this amount.)

In addition to water suppression, the facility utilizes a state-of-the-art fire suppression system using an advanced compound called 3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid to safeguard important documents and equipment.

The electronic data centers have CO2 fire suppression.

Security

Access to the facility is restricted and entry is by appointment only. All visitors must have a reason to be on the premises; they must also sign in on arrival and sign out as they leave. They are escorted at all times while in the facility. There are no exceptions to this rule.

All outside doors are locked at all times. Entry to the facilities is monitored by two security firms and all outside doors are electronically monitored. Access through doors is controlled either by palm scan or electronic key cards. The entire building is fully monitored for intrusion, inside and out, with motion and vibration sensors. Digital surveillance cameras are also located throughout the building.

CUBE has a complete Chubb monitored security system with separate zones. Elements of the system include:

Biometric Hand Readers
Proximity Card Access
Motion Sensors
Glass Break Sensors
Vibration Sensors
Door Contacts
Digital Video Surveillance
24 Hour off-site monitoring

All staff are screened for security and checked by the local police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Federal).

The security of your data is of the utmost importance to you, and therefore it is of the utmost importance to us, as well.

Post Disaster Facility

The Milwest Centre, because of this location, building structure and utilities, is designated as a post disaster centre for the Victoria region by the Federal Office of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

A helicopter pad is located on the roof of the building and is inspected annually by Transport Canada.

Redundant, high-speed telecommunications are provided to the building. These include fiber optic cables supplied by Telus, Big Pipe Inc. and Group Telecom. Fiber optic services to the BC Government's network are also available. In addition, there are 1200 telephone lines fed to the building; accordingly, T1 telecommunication lines can be easily deployed. Communications may be expanded through the OCIPEP (located in the Milwest Centre) to include VHF, UHF, HAM radio, and satellite communications.

In the event of a disaster and as the need arises, equipment can be seized for such requirements as snow clearing if the access to and use of the building is threatened.

The building has been supplied and equipped to be self-sufficient for seven days. This includes drinking water, food rations, portable cots, medical supplies and chemical toilets.