The Essentials of HVAC Solutions for Data Centres

Businesses everywhere are evolving and digitalising their processes; at the core of this change is data centres. As a result, the reliance on data centres is predicted to increase, making it crucial that data centres remain operating at their peak efficiency 24/7/365. With the sheer volume of electrical equipment installed within a data centre, reliable heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are critical to ensuring minimal system faults that can have a damaging impact on stored data. Precision is stringent in all HVAC installations and maintenance within a data centre; Artic Building Services understands the essentials of ensuring the optimal HVAC performance that a data centre’s environment needs. Speaking with industry expert, Vince Mayne, he provided further insight into the unique requirements and essentials of HVAC solutions for data centres.

Why is Cooling Critical in Data Centres?

Cooling is essential in Data Centres due to the immense electrical infrastructure that stores vital information online. The sheer amount of electrical equipment, combined with the continuous run time that is required, means that data centres generate a large amount of excess heat. When equipment gets too hot, this results in overheating, leading to an increase in system faults and downtime, as well as being a fire risk. This is why it is critical for data centres to have the right cooling solution implemented into their buildings.

What are the Data Centre HVAC Maintenance and Installation Essentials?

To remain operating at peak performance, it is imperative that key factors are considered when building a bespoke HVAC solution for data centres. This ensures the avoidance of any system downtime which can be critical to a data centre and any businesses that rely on it; data is one of largest commodities of our age and compromises can be costly, if not detrimental.

Data centres require unique tailored solutions to keep an optimised environment for the equipment inside that differs from typical comfort cooling. Artic has installed and maintained close control HVAC systems in a data centre which meet the strict requirements of a data centre. Close control HVAC systems differ from comfort cooling solutions as they are built to meet the needs of critical environments that need to be in precise conditions

Below are the top 5 fundamentals Artic considers when tailoring HVAC maintenance and installation solutions to meet the needs of a data centre.

Essential 1: Clean Air

“It is essential to maintain a clean air environment at all times, close monitoring of fresh air systems is paramount.” –  Vince Mayne

One essential for HVAC solutions for data centres is ensuring clean air through its HVAC system. It is imperative for data centres to have clean, dust free air. By ensuring the quality of air inside of a building, it reduces the risk of contaminants interfering with or damaging equipment inside by means of hardware degradation.

As stated by Vince Mayne, this is a huge priority for data centres, showcasing the importance of maintaining a clean air environment to ensure optimal equipment performance and longevity. Clean air enhances the lifespan of not only the data centre’s equipment but ensures optimal working capacity for HVAC equipment too. Close Control HVAC systems combat contamination with a higher efficiency rate due to high grade filters that aren’t in comfort cooling systems and can clean the air inside a data centre of particles and dust.

Essential 2: Maintenance

To ensure the environment of a data centre stays at its optimal for the equipment inside, it is essential that any close control HVAC systems installed are strictly and continuously monitored. Maintenance is just as important as having any HVAC equipment installed in the first place. Without maintenance, equipment is likely to have a shorter lifespan and require costly repairs, effecting its performance negatively, which inevitably, will degrade the environment and performance of a data centre.

“Constant monitoring of the temperature close control environment within data centres will avoid unnecessary hot spots and equipment failures.” – Vince Mayne

Unmaintained equipment puts an unnecessary reliance on IT equipment ‘ride through time;’ as according to ASHRAE, in cases of HVAC system failures, temperatures in data centres can rise by 30°C in just minutes. Not only that, but in spaces such as the UPS battery room, essential to ensure data centre runtime if things go wrong, the batteries are extremely sensitive to temperature and any changes outside of the narrow-recommended range can damage the battery lifespan through condensation or corrosion.

To guarantee the required temperature and humidity levels needed to safely operate rooms in compliance with ASHRAE Thermal Guidelines (18-27°C) and individual equipment requirements, a preventative maintenance plan must be in place. Engineers need to adhere to precise maintenance schedules to ensure close control cooling systems can efficiently handle the high heat density of a data centre and maintain the higher sensible heat ratio of the building.

Essential 3: Even Cooling

For data centres, it is essential that, where needed, cool air is distributed evenly and efficiently.

“Even cooling distribution within data centre clean room environments will ensure even server cabinet cooling” – Vince Mayne

A data centre cooling solution must be tailored specifically to the needs of the individual building. Airflow management controls the flow of air across the hot and cold aisles of a data centre to ensure efficient server cabinet cooling and temperature maintenance where needed. Minimising stationery air improves the overall efficiency of temperature regulation throughout the building and reduces energy consumption from HVAC systems trying to cool hot spots that have been left to build throughout the facilities.

Even cooling also secures the right humidity in a building. Close cooling systems are vital to keeping within the right humidity levels of 40-60%. If humidity falls too low, this can create a static electricity build up which damages server components. If humidity becomes too high, this causes excess condensation and in turn the corrosion of equipment, demonstrating the importance of even and consistent cooling in line with the necessary heat ratios for a data centre.

Essential 4: A Tidy and Maintained Space

“It is essential to maintain the cleanliness of date centres and ensure strict cable management is adhered to at all times” – Vince Mayne

In discussion with specialist Vince Mayne, he pointed out a data centre essential that often flies under the radar: the importance of engineers maintaining not only the HVAC equipment within the building, but also the surrounding area. Cable tidying and strict cleanliness polices are there to ensure essential health & safety measures are being met. Not only that, but outside of HVAC services, it is important that data centres have water leak detection in place with pinpoint accuracy to enable quick resolution to prevent costly downtime.

As a site with higher risk of electrical fires and system failures, data centres must follow strict compliance rules. When partnering with Artic Building Services, data centre clients have had peace of mind in knowing all compliance requirements are met with Artic engineers and contract managers accountable for ensuring site facilities meet the highest standards.

Essential 5: Qualified Engineers

“It is essential to have experienced and qualified engineering staff maintaining a data centre.” – Vince Mayne

At Artic, engineers are all specialists in their trades. At a data centre it is essential that all works are completed by the appropriate engineers that have the required knowledge and experience in their discipline. As experts in hard facilities management, Artic has over 150 directly employed engineers that are fully trained in their fields to deliver the necessary services at every site which is why Artic’s clients are confident in knowing they will be sent the right engineer for the job.

Overall, these are the five essentials that any data centre needs to consider before procuring facilities management to ensure the unique demands of the building will be met. At Artic, close control cooling solutions are adaptable and always tailored to the unique requirements of any client, with experience working alongside data centres Artic has the expertise to keep any site optimised for its equipment within.

How HVAC Solutions for Data Centres Increase Energy Efficiency

Due to the high levels of energy consumption that data centres are responsible for, the industry, which is expected to grow by 15% yearly, is facing increasing pressure to cut its energy use where it can. According to industry giant Daikin, cooling and HVAQ systems account for 35% of energy consumption  in a data centre which demonstrates the critical need for hard FM providers to supply innovative solutions that benefit the client in reducing energy spend and to help to meet environmental targets set by governments. Whilst there may not be many areas a data centre can reduce its energy consumption through its IT equipment, Artic Building Services are experts in finding sustainable HVAC solutions that help clients cut their energy consumption and bills.

The growing need to start reducing the input of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere intensifies the need for experts, like Artic Zero, to provide the right, sustainable solution to reduce energy consumption as much as possible. With HVAC solutions becoming greener by the day through new cooling technology, it is easier than ever to help data centres combat the increasing pressure to be energy efficient.

Conclusion

Overall, with over twenty-five years of industry experience and a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of a data centre, Artic Building Services are experts in meeting the essentials of data centre hard FM expectations. As the need for data centres is only going to expand in our digital age, along with an increased pressure for these buildings to meet environmental targets and reduce energy consumption, innovative HVAC close control cooling solutions are becoming vital to the operations of all data centres.

Contact Artic Building Services today to secure the right HVAC solutions for your data centre.