Title: Data Center Design Parameters and Considerations, Temperature and Fluid Concerns
Course: 2016FA-MCO-110-401 > Section: Module 11: Data Centers

Click here for a downloadable version of this document:(EXTERNAL) Data Center Design Parameters and Considerations, Temperature and Fluid Concerns

Temperature Stability During Power Outages

In manufacturing environments even, let alone data centers and communications centers, there are so many electric and electronic components that ambient temperature is a great concern during outages.  Backup power is at least enough to run the critical production equipment, but may be only sufficient to provide limited cooling capacity.  This is a hotly debated design consideration during site planning.  Perhaps the owner can afford to build extremely robust backup power systems that can sustain all normal equipment operations.  Sometimes, less-vital pieces of production equipment may be secured during outages in order to keep cooling demands lower.

On the opposite end of the spectrum R&D facilities with extremely cold storage requirements face an even stiffer challenge: beyond keeping the place from getting too hot, certain areas must actually be keep in deep freeze conditions to protect research samples or prevent damage/release of dangerous substances.  Situations like this might call for completely separate backup systems dedicated only to the safeguard of these materials and equipment.

Water Quality and Availability

There is growing interest in sustainable water practices such as onsite recycling and rainwater collection, but it is nearly impossible for an MCO to operate without water connectivity.  People need access to potable water for drinking and some sort of supply for sanitation.  Equipment needs water for cooling and/or operations (process water).  Depending upon the MCO, there may be animals or substantial vegetation to consider as well.

Process water is of ultra-high purity, but can be made onsite.  It is not often supplied as a utility connection, but does require a supply of at least general potable-cleanliness in order to cut down on purification system cost and complexity.  Potable water is safe to drink and cook with, and is the most common utility supply, so it often ends up being what runs through our sinks, showers, and toilets.

Sewage Quality and Availability

Wastewater has to go somewhere, and when considering the scale of industrial usage - thousands or millions of gallons - the importance of sewage as a critical utility takes on more value that meets the eye.

Wastewater from human consumption may be easily enough handled by onsite or shared-campus septic systems.  Septic systems do pose additional questions such as ground stability in the event of tank leakage, or potential gas buildup.  This may be a worthy alternative for remote sites, but there is a practical limit to the volume septic systems can handle.

More commonly, MCOs rely on connection to public sewage systems, which primarily rests upon proper planning for the size of connections.  Anticipating any future growth or increased water usage is vital to the site planning process as repair or extending sewage systems can be highly invasive and require substantial digging around many other live utility connections.

Stormwater runoff systems are another component of sewage considerations for site utility planning.  Looking back to flood zone evaluation in the geographic element of site selection, ensuring adequate capacity to handle major storms (10, 50, 100 year flood levels).  Keeping parking lots and roadways clear is certainly a priority in order to maintain free access to and from the site, particularly during times of heightened operational sensitivity like major storms.  In the worst case scenario, significant buildup of standing water can threaten buildings and equipment.

Objectives met:
- C11
- 11.4