5 tips for recovering data from your hard drive after a fire

Fire is potentially the most serious damage to a hard disk or server. In addition to the damage caused by exposure to extreme temperatures, fire extinguishing usually involves the use of water, foam or other media, which pollutes the hard disk both inside and out.

Dealing with hard disks recovered from fires requires considerable expertise and know-how. In the aftermath of such a disaster, a hard disk will usually only withstand one attempt at data recovery, so it’s important to be demanding in your choice of service provider. Databack has the necessary equipment, procedures and skills acquired over the last 15 years.

HARD DISKS FACE HEAT

Under normal operating conditions, the temperature of a hard disk is between 30 and 50°c. A short exposure to a temperature of 100°c may not cause any major damage, but prolonged exposure to a temperature of 200°c may result in data corruption. Above 300°c, the components of the hard disk are damaged: soldering of the electronic board, melting of internal plastic parts, deformation of platters, etc…

Fire damage

Depending on the exposure of your substrate to fire, the damage can be manifold:

• Damaged electronic board: solder joints and components damaged by heat.
• soot deposit
• melted inner and outer plastic elements
• plate surface alteration (heat-damaged magnetic substrate layers)
• heat deformation of trays