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Architectural and Structural Design

The purpose of this section is to provide information to assist a designer in the planning and specification of a computer room and related spaces.

This section will focus on the architectural and general construction elements of a data center. Some reference will be made to other elements as the purpose of the architectural elements of a data center is to provide a physical envelope that assists in meeting the needs of the end user.

The plan of the datacenter should involve the client facility in charge, IT People will have more insights about their resource and requirements.

IT, telecommunications, and other users collect data and turn it over to the facilities manager who then puts together a team that locates a site, designs, and constructs the data center.

Site Selection

The site should not have interfering elements. The below interfering elements should be eliminat...

24/7 Operation of Data Center - Temperature and Relative Humidity Control

All Tier 3 and Tier 4 datacenter should have security personnel within the datacenter and securit...

Materials

The computer room shall be designed and built with new materials, which are durable, of superior ...

General Paths of Access

All entries into the data center shall be secured. There should be a direct communication between...

Planning Detail

The entry to the computer room from non-computer room spaces shall lead into a controlled space w...

Computer Room

The support equipment such as HVAC floor mounted air handlers, coolant distribution units, electr...

Entrance Rooms

Class 3 and higher data centers shall have separate entrance rooms and the entrance room if separ...

Mechanical Room

Outside of the computer room provide space for the heat ejection equipment and associated pumps, ...

Electrical Room and UPS Room

A separate room shall be provided to contain the data center associated electrical equipment, inc...

Fire Suppression Room

A separate room shall be provided for the pre action sprinkler control valve system for class 4 d...

Circulation

Clear pathways allowing for the movement of racks, processing, and support equipment shall be pro...

Equipment Staging and Storage

Datacenter should have separate rooms to store arriving equipment and prepared in a room away fro...

Floor Slab

Floor slabs shall be as per the calculations of the structural engineer, but no less than a floor...

Computer Room Wall Construction

The perimeter walls to the computer room shall be slab-to-slab and the perimeter walls of the com...

Fire-Rated Construction

Walls separating computer room, electrical rooms, battery rooms, mechanical rooms, and separate T...

Access Control Systems

Access control shall be provided at all entrances to the data center and all entrances to the com...

Airborne Particles

Non-conductive airborne particles can be minimized by: Doing all unpacking, cutting, and drill...

Access Flooring System

Underfloor concrete shall be cleaned and sealed after all major underfloor work has been done, in...

Ceilings

In data center computer rooms and telecommunications spaces (e.g., entrance rooms, TRs), the mini...

Equipment Bracing System

Equipment cabinets and racks shall be braced in accordance with local codes. Cabinets braced at t...

Structural Building Code Compliance and Coordination

Local building codes shall be consulted in the planning and implementation of changes to the buil...

Structural Concerns Specific to Data Center Design

Floor loading (superimposed live load) shall be a minimum of 7.2 kPa2 (150 lbf/ft2) with 1.2 kPa ...