| A Data Centre is
not just office space with raised floor and an air conditioner. It
is a speciality area requiring the skills of experienced professionals
to design and construct. The following are some of the criteria that
make data centre construction different from the typical office space.
A. INVESTMENT COST
The value of the hardware and software installed
in a data centre is up to 10 times the value of the facility itself.
A Data Centre can cost 3 to 6 times the cost per square foot of
office space.
B. CONSEQUENCE OF DOWNTIME
Failure of the computer room to support the application
environment can result in high direct and indirect costs. Extended
downtime can interrupt key business activities.
C. OPERATING COSTS
Data Centre operating costs can be 5 to 10 times
the costs for office space:
a) Power consumption (up to 90W/ft² vs 10-12W/ft²)
b) Maintenance costs for support equipment
D. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS
Functionality
The data centre is one of the most important
areas in most buildings. Functionality should take precedence over
other considerations.
Base Building Features
Facilities such as elevators, washrooms, stairwells,
etc., should be located to avoid interference with the Data Centre.
Location
The location of the Data Centre requires consideration
of criteria such as:
a) Providing a sealed envelope
b) Floor loading
c) Access for equipment
d) Floor to ceiling height
e) Drains
f) Proximity to building services
Visibility
For security purposes the Data Centre may
require a very low profile.
Surrounding Hazards
The location chosen should minimize threats
to the facility. Avoid locations prone to flooding, industrial contamination,
earthquake, severe storms, or near microwave or radar transmission
sites.
Temperature and Humidity Control
- Precision A/C for a Data Centre is not the same
as comfort cooling for an office environment and must be requested
specifically
- Data Centre cooling load densities are 4 to
6 times normal office requirements
- Computer equipment requires tight control of
temperature/humidity ranges and rates of change to ensure reliable
operation
- Other factors to be considered include:
- 365 day/year operation
- redundancy
- energy conservation
- future growth
- water and air cooled computer equipment
Electrical Requirements
a) Data Centre load densities are up to 10 times
normal office requirements.
b) Data Centre electrical requirements include:
- need to ensure quality, continuity and distribution
- grounding to eliminate high frequency and
electromagnetic interference
- need to accommodate maintenance and growth
without disrupting operations
Raised Floors
a) The Data Centre must be able to accommodate
and protect large amounts of power and data cabling.
b) Air cooled hardware typically requires cooling air to be feed
from the floor level.
Communications
The Data Centre must accommodate extensive
data cabling both inside and outside the room.
Security
Data Centres should provide protection against
fire, other external hazards, theft, loss of data, and vandalism.
Fire Detection and Suppression
Loss of the Data Centre can result in significant
costs and may interrupt key business activities. It should be protected
from both minor and major fire situations. Fire protection can be:
Active: detectors,
and water or FM200 systems
Passive: detectors,
fire rated construction, operational procedures, maintenance,
site layout, and site location can be used to avoid fire hazards.
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