and happiness to last throughout the coming year 2016!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Best Wishes for a Prosperous New Year
May this Christmas bring you comfort, joy, peace
and happiness to last throughout the coming year 2016!
and happiness to last throughout the coming year 2016!
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Further Learning in Electrical Design for Mission Critical Supply + Technical Visit to Power Quality Centre
Designing an electrical system for mission critical purpose or data center can be a real challenge. Further to a training section in Data Center Facilities Design and Infrastructure Engineering, an advanced unit - Electrical Design for Mission Critical Supply - is going to launch in December 17 - 18, 2015.
The 2-day electrical design course introduces the power system design that support typical data centers or critical facilities. It prepares individual to fully understand the mission critical supply system, from power components to distributions and efficiency; from power requirements to designed, testing, commissioning and maintenance.
Day 1
- Concept on primary supply and secondary supply
- Power flow in mission critical supply system
- Features of major equipment for critical supply
(1) Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and power storage
(2) Backup generator
(3) Automatic transfer switch
(4) Static transfer switch
(5) Isolation transformer
- Efficiency assessment
- Power quality review
Day 2
- Configuration diagram of critical supply (N+1 / 2N) design & analysis
- Review of cable sizing to incorporate harmonics content
- Earthing system design
- Testing and commissioning requirements
- Brief of Systems Merging Appraisal Test (SMAT)
Date: 17 - 18 December 2015 (Thursday - Friday)
Time: 10:00 – 17:30
Venue: 19/F, New Victory House (Officeplus), 93 - 103 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Fee: Special rate for CIBSE / HKIE all membership classes
For details, please refer to http://www.stmedia-asia.com/newsletter_6.html.
Technical Visit to Hongkong Electric Power Quality Centre
and Smart Power Centre
Voltage dips and harmonics are two major issues affecting power quality. To share the knowledge, Hongkong Electric has established a Power Quality Centre which enables participants to understand more about power quality and the ways to safeguard the power supplies for their important services.
The Power Quality Centre is equipped with a voltage dip generator and different mock-up installations to demonstrate the effects of power quality on sensitive equipment, as well as the voltage dip ride-through solutions for various types of equipment.
The “Smart Power Centre” provides advice on the choice of electrical equipment or appliances as well as general knowledge on the safe and smart use of electricity. The centre mainly focuses on introducing the effectiveness and easy use of electrical appliances, intelligent panel and automatic lighting control.
Further to the critical facilities / electrical design courses, you are cordially invited to attend the technical visit / guided tour by the HK Electric:
Date: 8 January 2016 (Friday) * (Full, updated on 21 December 2015)
Duration: 15:00 - 17:00 (2 hours)
Assembly Time: 14: 45 - 15:00
Assembly Point: G/F Lobby, Electric Centre, 28 City Garden Road, North Point, Hong Kong
(Next to the City Garden - Exit B, Fortress Hill Station)
* Pre-registration required
* Free admission for the technical visit
* Intake target: 15 - 20 participants
* Seats are limited. Priority will be given to the CPD course's participants
For the visit details, please refer to RUNDOWN.
Enrollment & Registration
Kindly complete and return an Application Form together with a crossed cheque made payable to “Strategic Media Asia Limited” - Room 403, 4th Floor, Dominion Centre, 43 - 59 Queen's Road East, Hong Kong.
About the organizer
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Data Center Design Consideration: Fire Suppression
So far we explore the following issues when designing a data center
(1) Site Selection
(2) Space Planning
(3) Cooling
(4) Redundancy
Now it comes to the firefighting operations which can be critical for your facilities and planning.
An average 15,000 sq. ft data center carries around 2,700 kW load and releases nearly 750 tons of heat daily. Generated by small blade servers and overcrowded racks, loads of this size burden the data center’s electrical circuits, which may not be properly grounded, causing equipment to overheat in areas without proper cooling.
This is typically found in some data center built in several years ago (usually before 2000) and inside an old / pre-existing industrial / commercial buildings in which the original purpose is not for data center and the renovation and facilities' improvement are far more complicated and difficult.
Specifying the appropriate fire detection and suppression systems for each data center will increase its survivability. Most fires in mission critical facilities can be prevented if fire detection and suppression systems are properly designed, installed and commissioned in accordance with applicable standards.
FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS
The unique airflow patterns within a data center create a challenge for smoke and fire detection systems. Unlike a typical commercial building, the data center is outfitted with hot and cold aisles and underfloor and overhead spaces, each separated to contain airflow within the space. For this reason, conventional detection methods don’t meet the data center’s needs. Instead, additional fire detection strategies need to be considered concurrently to achieve reliable protection.
Each data center will determine whether the facility needs an Early Warning Smoke Detector (EWSD) or a Very Early Warning Smoke Detector (VEWSD). The EWSD system provides detection typically at the first sign of smoke, while a VEWSD will expose an incipient fire smoldering for hours or days before a flame ignites.
Early Warning Smoke Detector (EWSD)
Automatic spot-type detectors are the most common form of EWSDs, available in ionization and photoelectric types. Using ceiling sensors, these passive detectors rely heavily on high airflow for their optimal performance. Duct detectors are installed in the supply and return ducts of HVAC systems to prevent smoke spread by initiating control of fans, dampers, etc. As they sense particles of combustion, they transmit a supervisory alarm to the fire alarm panel urging it to shut down the air handling unit.
The International Building Code requires high-rise buildings with air in the return and exhaust air plenums with a capacity greater than 2,000 cfm to have a duct smoke detector in a serviceable area downstream of the last duct inlet.
Very Early Warning Smoke Detector (VEWSD)
An aspirating smoke detection system, on the other hand, is an active VEWSD, constantly sampling particles of air for the presence of visible or invisible smoke, with its piping network, an aspirating fan and a highly sensitive detector. Less dependent on the airflow in the room to transport smoke to the detector, the VEWSD carries extremely low accidental discharge rates, with a maximum transport time from the most remote sampling port not to exceed 120 seconds. Air sampling systems are specified where very early detection is crucial, in data centers and other high-tech communications facilities.
Cross-zoned Detection
A critical facility should consider employing its smoke detectors as part of a cross-zoned scheme, which requires the installation of two smoke detectors in the same area that are run on separate circuits.
In this case, when a fire is detected, the panel will require activation of both circuits before the release of a fire-extinguishing agent. Cross-zoned detection systems minimize possibility of accidental discharge due to false alarm and may provide an additional opportunity for on-site personnel to eliminate an impending risk factor. (In a data center, only smoke detectors should be cross-zoned, heat detectors need not be.)
FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
While detection is crucial to alerting personnel in the room, fire damage can be minimized where an effective extinguishing system is installed and properly maintained. Both water and gas-based fire suppression systems can be found in today’s data centers.
Water-based Suppression Systems
Water-based extinguishing systems fight fires in two dimensions, both in the air and on the equipment, but not underneath equipment cabinets and other computer room fixtures. Ideal for structural protection, water-based extinguishing systems are available in either wet or pre-action configurations.
"Wet Configuration"
Pipes in a wet system are filled with water at all times, discharging it over the fire when the sprinkler head fuses due to heat build-up. Although the accidental discharge rates of a wet sprinkler system are minimal, an accidental discharge due to a damaged sprinkler activation pipe or fitting leak could cause considerable damage to information technology equipment, possibly resulting in a large or even fatal loss in data processing.
"Pre-action Configuration"
The more appropriate water-based extinguishing system for a data center is a pre-action system, available in both single and double interlock options, as its pipes remains dry until a reliable fire condition is detected.
The single interlock pre-action system requires the activation of heat or smoke detectors before water enters the piping, discharging it over fire upon fusion of a sprinkler glass bulb or solder link due to heat buildup in the space. The Loss of air due to a damaged sprinkler will transmit a supervisory alarm at the control panel.
With the double interlock system, water again enters the pipes upon heat detection and loss of air due to fusion of glass bulb or solder link. In both cases, when the sprinkler is merely damaged or there is a simple pipe leak, the pre-action system will transmit the supervisory alarm signal, but keep the piping networks dry.
"Water Mist System"
Recently developed very fine fire spray or a water mist system provides another option for fire suppression systems. Requiring less water to suppress a fire than traditional sprinkler systems, the water mist method extinguishes a fire by absorbing its heat and by discharging very fine droplets of water.
Water mist systems require unique hardware such as steel pipes, water container, pump, gas, nozzles, strainers, detection, and a panel. Water mist may provide a similar level of protection as a sprinkler system. For data centers, water mist systems use stainless steel pipes to avoid corrosion which causes the development of pin leak holes in sprinkler piping.
Gaseous Suppression Systems
Gas-based fire suppression systems fight fires in three dimensions, in the space itself and under the equipment cabinets. Designed to protect the equipment and data in process, gas-based systems do not leave a residue or require any clean up of the equipment after it discharges.
Similar to the pre-action system, clean agent extinguishing pipes contain no gas. Gas will discharge upon activation of the cross-zoned detection system and subsequent mechanical and electrical systems shut down, flooding the room in 10 sec (with the exception of inert gases, which are required to discharge in 60 sec). Gas in the room is specified to maintain concentration for as long as 10 min to obliterate smaller fires in any hard-to-reach places.
When the gas is discharged, your data center space has to be air-tight, with all door, floor, and ceiling openings sealed. The gases used, including FM 200, FE 25 (HFC 125), Novec 1230 and inert gasses including Inergen and argon, are odorless, non-toxic, non-corrosive, electronically non-conductive, and environmentally-friendly.
Kindly note the gas storage tanks need to be refilled and preparation for another incident. For this reason, some mission critical facilities are now reserving back-up tanks, maintaining twice as much gas storage at all times.
Integrated Systems
A typical data center will be outfitted with both water-based fire extinguishing systems and gaseous systems. If the fire isn’t suppressed by the gas system, the sprinkler system will subsequently activate, but is otherwise maintained as the official back-up extinguisher.
DATA CENTER FIRE CODES
A number of NFPA fire codes are applicable to the data center environment. Each governing a different aspect of the facility from design through maintenance, these standards work in concert to protect your mission critical facility from the threat of a fire. Here are examples
NFPA 10 Standard for portable fire extinguishers
NFPA 25 Standard for inspection, maintenance and testing of water-based fire protection systems
NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code
NFPA 75 Standard for protection of information technology equipment
NFPA 76 Standard for fire protection of telecommunications facilities
Please refer to the complete list of NFPA standards from National Fire Protection Association.
About the Blogger
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
(1) Site Selection
(2) Space Planning
(3) Cooling
(4) Redundancy
Now it comes to the firefighting operations which can be critical for your facilities and planning.
An average 15,000 sq. ft data center carries around 2,700 kW load and releases nearly 750 tons of heat daily. Generated by small blade servers and overcrowded racks, loads of this size burden the data center’s electrical circuits, which may not be properly grounded, causing equipment to overheat in areas without proper cooling.
This is typically found in some data center built in several years ago (usually before 2000) and inside an old / pre-existing industrial / commercial buildings in which the original purpose is not for data center and the renovation and facilities' improvement are far more complicated and difficult.
Specifying the appropriate fire detection and suppression systems for each data center will increase its survivability. Most fires in mission critical facilities can be prevented if fire detection and suppression systems are properly designed, installed and commissioned in accordance with applicable standards.
FIRE DETECTION SYSTEMS
The unique airflow patterns within a data center create a challenge for smoke and fire detection systems. Unlike a typical commercial building, the data center is outfitted with hot and cold aisles and underfloor and overhead spaces, each separated to contain airflow within the space. For this reason, conventional detection methods don’t meet the data center’s needs. Instead, additional fire detection strategies need to be considered concurrently to achieve reliable protection.
Each data center will determine whether the facility needs an Early Warning Smoke Detector (EWSD) or a Very Early Warning Smoke Detector (VEWSD). The EWSD system provides detection typically at the first sign of smoke, while a VEWSD will expose an incipient fire smoldering for hours or days before a flame ignites.
Early Warning Smoke Detector (EWSD)
Automatic spot-type detectors are the most common form of EWSDs, available in ionization and photoelectric types. Using ceiling sensors, these passive detectors rely heavily on high airflow for their optimal performance. Duct detectors are installed in the supply and return ducts of HVAC systems to prevent smoke spread by initiating control of fans, dampers, etc. As they sense particles of combustion, they transmit a supervisory alarm to the fire alarm panel urging it to shut down the air handling unit.
The International Building Code requires high-rise buildings with air in the return and exhaust air plenums with a capacity greater than 2,000 cfm to have a duct smoke detector in a serviceable area downstream of the last duct inlet.
Very Early Warning Smoke Detector (VEWSD)
An aspirating smoke detection system, on the other hand, is an active VEWSD, constantly sampling particles of air for the presence of visible or invisible smoke, with its piping network, an aspirating fan and a highly sensitive detector. Less dependent on the airflow in the room to transport smoke to the detector, the VEWSD carries extremely low accidental discharge rates, with a maximum transport time from the most remote sampling port not to exceed 120 seconds. Air sampling systems are specified where very early detection is crucial, in data centers and other high-tech communications facilities.
Cross-zoned Detection
A critical facility should consider employing its smoke detectors as part of a cross-zoned scheme, which requires the installation of two smoke detectors in the same area that are run on separate circuits.
In this case, when a fire is detected, the panel will require activation of both circuits before the release of a fire-extinguishing agent. Cross-zoned detection systems minimize possibility of accidental discharge due to false alarm and may provide an additional opportunity for on-site personnel to eliminate an impending risk factor. (In a data center, only smoke detectors should be cross-zoned, heat detectors need not be.)
FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
While detection is crucial to alerting personnel in the room, fire damage can be minimized where an effective extinguishing system is installed and properly maintained. Both water and gas-based fire suppression systems can be found in today’s data centers.
Water-based Suppression Systems
Water-based extinguishing systems fight fires in two dimensions, both in the air and on the equipment, but not underneath equipment cabinets and other computer room fixtures. Ideal for structural protection, water-based extinguishing systems are available in either wet or pre-action configurations.
"Wet Configuration"
Pipes in a wet system are filled with water at all times, discharging it over the fire when the sprinkler head fuses due to heat build-up. Although the accidental discharge rates of a wet sprinkler system are minimal, an accidental discharge due to a damaged sprinkler activation pipe or fitting leak could cause considerable damage to information technology equipment, possibly resulting in a large or even fatal loss in data processing.
"Pre-action Configuration"
The more appropriate water-based extinguishing system for a data center is a pre-action system, available in both single and double interlock options, as its pipes remains dry until a reliable fire condition is detected.
The single interlock pre-action system requires the activation of heat or smoke detectors before water enters the piping, discharging it over fire upon fusion of a sprinkler glass bulb or solder link due to heat buildup in the space. The Loss of air due to a damaged sprinkler will transmit a supervisory alarm at the control panel.
With the double interlock system, water again enters the pipes upon heat detection and loss of air due to fusion of glass bulb or solder link. In both cases, when the sprinkler is merely damaged or there is a simple pipe leak, the pre-action system will transmit the supervisory alarm signal, but keep the piping networks dry.
"Water Mist System"
Recently developed very fine fire spray or a water mist system provides another option for fire suppression systems. Requiring less water to suppress a fire than traditional sprinkler systems, the water mist method extinguishes a fire by absorbing its heat and by discharging very fine droplets of water.
Water mist systems require unique hardware such as steel pipes, water container, pump, gas, nozzles, strainers, detection, and a panel. Water mist may provide a similar level of protection as a sprinkler system. For data centers, water mist systems use stainless steel pipes to avoid corrosion which causes the development of pin leak holes in sprinkler piping.
Gaseous Suppression Systems
Gas-based fire suppression systems fight fires in three dimensions, in the space itself and under the equipment cabinets. Designed to protect the equipment and data in process, gas-based systems do not leave a residue or require any clean up of the equipment after it discharges.
Similar to the pre-action system, clean agent extinguishing pipes contain no gas. Gas will discharge upon activation of the cross-zoned detection system and subsequent mechanical and electrical systems shut down, flooding the room in 10 sec (with the exception of inert gases, which are required to discharge in 60 sec). Gas in the room is specified to maintain concentration for as long as 10 min to obliterate smaller fires in any hard-to-reach places.
When the gas is discharged, your data center space has to be air-tight, with all door, floor, and ceiling openings sealed. The gases used, including FM 200, FE 25 (HFC 125), Novec 1230 and inert gasses including Inergen and argon, are odorless, non-toxic, non-corrosive, electronically non-conductive, and environmentally-friendly.
Kindly note the gas storage tanks need to be refilled and preparation for another incident. For this reason, some mission critical facilities are now reserving back-up tanks, maintaining twice as much gas storage at all times.
Integrated Systems
A typical data center will be outfitted with both water-based fire extinguishing systems and gaseous systems. If the fire isn’t suppressed by the gas system, the sprinkler system will subsequently activate, but is otherwise maintained as the official back-up extinguisher.
DATA CENTER FIRE CODES
A number of NFPA fire codes are applicable to the data center environment. Each governing a different aspect of the facility from design through maintenance, these standards work in concert to protect your mission critical facility from the threat of a fire. Here are examples
NFPA 10 Standard for portable fire extinguishers
NFPA 25 Standard for inspection, maintenance and testing of water-based fire protection systems
NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code
NFPA 75 Standard for protection of information technology equipment
NFPA 76 Standard for fire protection of telecommunications facilities
Please refer to the complete list of NFPA standards from National Fire Protection Association.
About the Blogger
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Finance & Investment Forum for Data Center, Hosting, Cloud - Hong Kong
Take the temperature of Asia’s fast growing Data Center, Hosting, Colocation and Cloud businesses
Discover key investors, network and collaborate at the premier Asia forum for the sector
Finance & Investment Forum for Data Center, Hosting, Cloud
Hong Kong, 12 November 2015
Asia’s premier forum for the leadership of data center, hosting and cloud businesses and investors returns for the third year to Hong Kong. It continues to offer a unique platform for expert opinion and provides global market developments and forecasts. You are invited to join the annual marketplace for the leadership of publicly quoted and private data center, hosting and cloud businesses to network and engage with investors.
Register before 12 November 2015
With the Asia region now reaching an exciting stage in the development of data centers, opportunities for investment in this fast growing sector are increasing. The Finance and Investment Forum Asia hosted once again in Hong Kong is attended by experts from private equity firms, investors, funds, publicly quoted and private companies engaged in the data center, hosting and cloud sector, property specialists and legal counsel.
Why attend?
Outstanding speakers from around Asia will share their knowledge about the future of data center, cloud and hosting. Check out the agenda here.
- exceptional networking, a hallmark of the FIF events will be at its best with the leadership of operator businesses, investors and financiers from across the region attending
- Considered to be the “best place to take the temperature of the industry,” FIF offers several critical advantages to all attendees including
- exposure to key investors (providing often difficult or rare opportunities for many companies across the sector) - 30% of attendees are typically investors
- exposure to key influencers (such as the key players to support fund raising or an IPO)
- high level analysis of the market for datacentre and cloud assets, company valuations and investor experience
Key Speakers include:
Claude Achcar, Managing Director, Actel Consulting
Nicholas Chan, Partner, Squire Sanders
Herbert Chan, General Manager, Grand Ming Group
Reynaldo R Huergas, President, IP Converge Data Services Inc
Robin Khuda, Founder, AirTrunk
Teddy Ko, AVP, HKT
Asher Ling, Chief Operating Officer, Kingsland Development
Hon Charles Mok, Legislative Councillor Information Technology, Hong Kong SAR
Daniel Newman, CFO, GDS
Kok-Chye Ong, Head of Investments, Data Centre, Keppel Telecommunications & Transportation
Ng Wan Peng, Chief Operating Officer, MDeC
Everett Thompson, CEO, WiredRE
Steve Wallage, Managing Director, BroadGroup Consulting
Thomas Wong, Executive Director, OneAsiaNetwork
Some of the key questions international experts will discuss in this year’s programme include:
• What is the forecast for Asia data center, hosting and cloud markets?
• Is a greater regional/international market presence a necessary part of data center ownership strategies?
• What will be the biggest change in demand drivers in 2015-2016?
• What is the current and emerging Private Equity specialist view of data center investments?
• Where is hot to invest? What emerging markets are ripe for growth?
• What role will M&A play in the next phase of growth?
• Who will be the winners and losers?
Visit the programme at www.fif-asia.com/programme
The conference day begins with an investor breakfast with a series of short pitches made by companies currently seeking investment for a variety of projects in the sector. Always aiming to deliver exceptional insight and high networking values, the Forum, first established in 2007 is now regarded as the premier networking and content platform internationally.
Register before 12 November 2015
Strategic Media Asia Limited is one of the media partners for the FIF Asia - Hong Kong. You are cordially invited to join the event in November 12, 2015. For details, please visit www.fif-asia.com.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Avoid 30 - 40% Wastage in Refrigeration & Air-conditioning (RAC) Systems
The wastage of energy and costs in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning (RAC) systems is a real challenge. AC’s that drip water into the street because of excessive condensation illustrate that the compressor is over-running to achieve the cooling output required in the rooms they serve. Refrigerators that require de-icing cycles to remove the build-up of ice on the evaporator unit, again graphically illustrate that the compressor is running longer than is needed to achieve the cooling required for the refrigerated produce.
The new technology* employs two temperature sensors in an algorithmic energy trading control arrangement to monitor the thermodynamic (room or space temperature) and the hydraulic (refrigerant supply) performance of the connected air conditioning, heating or refrigeration system. As a result it reduces up to 30-40% of the running time on the compressor which accounts for 95% of HVAC energy consumption.
Bundled with a 2-day CPD training in the Air-conditioning System Design for Data Center, this is a 1-hour information seminar introducing an innovative energy optimizer / economizer for compressor-based HVAC systems. It targets to HVAC practitioners such as consulting engineer, energy assessor, facilities managements and building services engineers.
* Internationally Patented - Optimized Refrigerant Supply (ORS®)
Demonstrated through a number of case studies, the seminar session showcases how ORS® prevents the wastage of energy and costs that arise from over-running the compressors. Since the compressor is by far the main consumer of electrical power in any RAC system, the avoided wastage is very significant and the session will illustrate that ORS® prevents wastage of energy and costs in the region of 30-40%.
CPD Training in Air Conditioning System Design for Data Center (2-day)
Date: November 5 - 6, 2015 (Thursday - Friday)
Time: 10:00 - 17:30 (with 1 hour lunch break)
Venue: 14/F, On Lok Yuen Building, 25-27A Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong
The 1 hour seminar session mentioned above (during 16:30 - 17:30, 5 November 2015) is sponsored by The Getz Corporation (HK) Limited and Agile8 Consulting Limited.
For details, please visit www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
About the Organizer
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
The new technology* employs two temperature sensors in an algorithmic energy trading control arrangement to monitor the thermodynamic (room or space temperature) and the hydraulic (refrigerant supply) performance of the connected air conditioning, heating or refrigeration system. As a result it reduces up to 30-40% of the running time on the compressor which accounts for 95% of HVAC energy consumption.
Bundled with a 2-day CPD training in the Air-conditioning System Design for Data Center, this is a 1-hour information seminar introducing an innovative energy optimizer / economizer for compressor-based HVAC systems. It targets to HVAC practitioners such as consulting engineer, energy assessor, facilities managements and building services engineers.
* Internationally Patented - Optimized Refrigerant Supply (ORS®)
Demonstrated through a number of case studies, the seminar session showcases how ORS® prevents the wastage of energy and costs that arise from over-running the compressors. Since the compressor is by far the main consumer of electrical power in any RAC system, the avoided wastage is very significant and the session will illustrate that ORS® prevents wastage of energy and costs in the region of 30-40%.
CPD Training in Air Conditioning System Design for Data Center (2-day)
Date: November 5 - 6, 2015 (Thursday - Friday)
Time: 10:00 - 17:30 (with 1 hour lunch break)
Venue: 14/F, On Lok Yuen Building, 25-27A Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong
The 1 hour seminar session mentioned above (during 16:30 - 17:30, 5 November 2015) is sponsored by The Getz Corporation (HK) Limited and Agile8 Consulting Limited.
For details, please visit www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
About the Organizer
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Course in Air Conditioning System Design for Data Center
A data center houses hundred / thousand of IT equipment and servers for mission critical purpose. These IT facilities consume large amount of energy and generate heat during operations. Particular cooling strategies and power system design are therefore required for a data center.
This is an advanced learning section for data center design. It targets to engineers involved in designing or handling HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) equipment for mission critical facilities and data center projects.
We introduces various classifications of HVAC systems and the associated distribution systems for mission critical facilities. Each system type is evaluated based on the performance for energy efficiency, water use and comfort performance. Participants are able to make informed decisions about the best choices of cooling systems for mission critical applications and how system can best meet your project goal and SLA (Service Level Agreement).
The course highlights design principles such as psychrometric chart, cooling load calculation / estimation, etc. and the design considerations such as air distribution, availability and redundancy, common mistakes, Computer Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model, integration with MEPs (Mechanical, Electrical and Water Plumb), etc.
Overall we train participants to understand different factors, from design, testing, commissioning, sustainability and efficiency, that significantly impact the cooling system of data centers.
- Datacom Equipment Power Trends and Cooling Applications
- (a) load trends and their application
- (b) air cooling of computer equipment
- (c) liquid cooling of computer equipment
- Design Consideration
- (a) design criteria
- (b) HVAC load
- (c) computer room cooling
- (d) air distribution
- (e) liquid cooling
- (f) availability and redundancy
- (g) integration with other MEP system
- (h) controls
- (i) computer fluid dynamics
- Testing and Commissioning
- (a) air cleanliness test
- (b) heat load test
- (c) factory acceptance test
- (d) site acceptance test
- (e) integrated performance test (IST)
- Sustainable Design
- (a) combined heat power plant (CHP)
- (b) solar cooling
- (c) geothermal cooling
- (d) evaporative cooling
- (e) air side economizers
- (f) desiccant unit
- Energy Efficiency
- (a) power usage effectiveness
- (b) chilled water plant optimization
- (c) water side and air side equipment
- (d) part load operation
- (e) controls and energy management
- (f) LEED certified data center
- (g) building energy code
For registration and course details, please visit www.stmedia-asia.com/newsletter_6.html.
"Air Conditioning System Design for Data Center" is an approved CPD course by Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
About the Organizer - SMA
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Data Center Design Case Study
When the reliability demand is high and the data center has to work around pre-existing building constraints, there are significant design challenges.
With approximately 120,000 sq ft of white space divided into eight Tier III, 2 MW power data halls, the 20 MW data center meets a number of design challenges before construction even began.
The data center was originally the site of an old manufacturing facility. Coupled with the owner’s building requirements, this created a few challenges to the data center’s electrical distribution system design. Here’s a look at how Environmental Systems Design, working together with the other members of the building team, was able to solve them.
Challenge No. 1: The transformer
In an effort to maintain consistency across others data centers, the corporation likes to specify company-standard mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection equipment for all of its mission critical facilities. However, much of this equipment is designed for outdoor use, and because this particular facility has very limited outdoor space, significant adjustments had to be made for the transformer and switchgear equipment to work indoors.
For example, the heavy transformer couldn’t be placed on the raised floor designed for the data hall and electrical room space and wouldn’t be able to be removed from the building at the end of its useful life, as the 2500 kVA transformers each weigh approximately 16,000 lbs.
Instead, the facility was designed with the intent of moving in the transformer prior to the raised floor construction. Coordinating with the architect, saw cuts were designed into the pre-cast panels on the side of the building to make it easier for the contractor to remove/replace the exterior wall to get the transformer out for future installations or replacement.
Additionally, because the liquid-filled transformers specified are typically used outdoors, special design considerations were needed for the electrical room to contain the fluid in the event of a leak. A 4-in. metal dam was constructed along the perimeter of the room to contain the liquid, while perforated raised-floor tiles were installed around the transformer to facilitate the flow of liquid to under the floor.
Challenge No. 2: Uniform design
The owner wanted a repeatable, scalable design for each of the eight data halls to both create uniformity across the facility and provide the ability to build out data halls as needed over time. However, due to existing building conditions, including the different quantity and compact nature of the structural columns on the building’s first and second floors, an offsite modular construction design was eliminated.
Instead, the solution was to bring each component of the mechanical and electrical systems into the facility individually and build out the data halls one at a time as identically as possible.
Challenge No. 3: Medium-voltage equipment
Because the switchgear and transformers were located inside the building, medium-voltage (MV) feeders were routed throughout. The MV system itself was daisy-chained so it had to be installed and commissioned in its entirety when the first of the eight data halls were installed.
The active MV system presents a potential risk to workers during construction. Therefore, the MV feeders and conduit were routed through the ceiling of the first floor for safety, stubbing back up through the second floor slab and directly into the equipment. The feeders for the first floor equipment were routed similarly under the first floor slab. Because the eight data halls will be built out over time, this technique permits construction on the floor without subjecting workers to the active feeders.
Challenge No. 4: Switchgear and metering equipment
With very limited space for outdoor equipment, there wasn’t enough room for the utility’s 34.5 kV ground-level switchgear and metering. In addition, this equipment has not been fully vetted for the application and was seen as a risk by the owner. The only option was for the utility’s switchgear and metering to be pole mounted. This meant that the site’s 20 poles had to be spaced 20 ft from each other, taking up 400 ft of linear space on a site with little outdoor area.
The Reliability
Utility Service:
2N, or two separate utility sources/feeders, one general source and the second as backup. The switchgear is daisy-chained together, creating a connection from one switchgear to another down the line so that the power can feed into one switchgear, back out and into the other, rather than having multiple connections to the site.
Backup generators:
N+1 redundant swing generator. While each of the eight data halls has its own backup generator, another redundant swing generator for every two to three halls was designed as well, providing additional backup (a total of four swing generators in all). This provides an extra level of redundancy without the cost of providing an additional backup for each generator.
UPS system and distribution (2N):
Two sides to the electrical system were designed, where each side is a mirror of the other. The benefit of the 2N system topology allows for maintenance or a fault to occur on one of the sides, while still maintaining a completely active data center.
About Strategic Media Asia Ltd
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
With approximately 120,000 sq ft of white space divided into eight Tier III, 2 MW power data halls, the 20 MW data center meets a number of design challenges before construction even began.
The data center was originally the site of an old manufacturing facility. Coupled with the owner’s building requirements, this created a few challenges to the data center’s electrical distribution system design. Here’s a look at how Environmental Systems Design, working together with the other members of the building team, was able to solve them.
Challenge No. 1: The transformer
In an effort to maintain consistency across others data centers, the corporation likes to specify company-standard mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection equipment for all of its mission critical facilities. However, much of this equipment is designed for outdoor use, and because this particular facility has very limited outdoor space, significant adjustments had to be made for the transformer and switchgear equipment to work indoors.
For example, the heavy transformer couldn’t be placed on the raised floor designed for the data hall and electrical room space and wouldn’t be able to be removed from the building at the end of its useful life, as the 2500 kVA transformers each weigh approximately 16,000 lbs.
Instead, the facility was designed with the intent of moving in the transformer prior to the raised floor construction. Coordinating with the architect, saw cuts were designed into the pre-cast panels on the side of the building to make it easier for the contractor to remove/replace the exterior wall to get the transformer out for future installations or replacement.
Additionally, because the liquid-filled transformers specified are typically used outdoors, special design considerations were needed for the electrical room to contain the fluid in the event of a leak. A 4-in. metal dam was constructed along the perimeter of the room to contain the liquid, while perforated raised-floor tiles were installed around the transformer to facilitate the flow of liquid to under the floor.
Challenge No. 2: Uniform design
The owner wanted a repeatable, scalable design for each of the eight data halls to both create uniformity across the facility and provide the ability to build out data halls as needed over time. However, due to existing building conditions, including the different quantity and compact nature of the structural columns on the building’s first and second floors, an offsite modular construction design was eliminated.
Instead, the solution was to bring each component of the mechanical and electrical systems into the facility individually and build out the data halls one at a time as identically as possible.
Challenge No. 3: Medium-voltage equipment
Because the switchgear and transformers were located inside the building, medium-voltage (MV) feeders were routed throughout. The MV system itself was daisy-chained so it had to be installed and commissioned in its entirety when the first of the eight data halls were installed.
The active MV system presents a potential risk to workers during construction. Therefore, the MV feeders and conduit were routed through the ceiling of the first floor for safety, stubbing back up through the second floor slab and directly into the equipment. The feeders for the first floor equipment were routed similarly under the first floor slab. Because the eight data halls will be built out over time, this technique permits construction on the floor without subjecting workers to the active feeders.
Challenge No. 4: Switchgear and metering equipment
With very limited space for outdoor equipment, there wasn’t enough room for the utility’s 34.5 kV ground-level switchgear and metering. In addition, this equipment has not been fully vetted for the application and was seen as a risk by the owner. The only option was for the utility’s switchgear and metering to be pole mounted. This meant that the site’s 20 poles had to be spaced 20 ft from each other, taking up 400 ft of linear space on a site with little outdoor area.
The Reliability
Utility Service:
2N, or two separate utility sources/feeders, one general source and the second as backup. The switchgear is daisy-chained together, creating a connection from one switchgear to another down the line so that the power can feed into one switchgear, back out and into the other, rather than having multiple connections to the site.
Backup generators:
N+1 redundant swing generator. While each of the eight data halls has its own backup generator, another redundant swing generator for every two to three halls was designed as well, providing additional backup (a total of four swing generators in all). This provides an extra level of redundancy without the cost of providing an additional backup for each generator.
UPS system and distribution (2N):
Two sides to the electrical system were designed, where each side is a mirror of the other. The benefit of the 2N system topology allows for maintenance or a fault to occur on one of the sides, while still maintaining a completely active data center.
About Strategic Media Asia Ltd
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Registered Communications Distribution Designer RCDD
We are pleased to announce a prestige international qualification, Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD), accredited by US Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI) for structured cabling system design is now available in Hong Kong.
Further to the Critical Facilities Design Courses - Data Center and Electrical and Air Conditioning System, the RCDD credential program (DD102: Designing Telecommunications Distribution System) is an intensive 5-day core training which details about designing telecommunications spaces and horizontal and backbone distribution systems:
Design Basics - Recommended design sequence, cabling infrastructure layout, terms & definitions, overview of standards & codes.
Designing Telecommunications Rooms - Determining type number & size according to usable floor space, specifying power, lighting & floor loadings.
Designing Horizontal Distribution Systems - Pathway sizing & routing considerations. Design rules for under-floor duct, cellular floors, conduit, & access floors. Use of ceiling distribution including ceiling zones method. Application exercises; design of under-floor conduit system & comparison with overhead plenum rated method. Specifying copper & fibre optic cabling complete with documentation methods. Examples of cable management during installation & cross connection. Installation sequence for zoned systems.
Designing Backbone Systems - Backbone design & planning, media selection options (copper versus fibre), colour codes, backbone pathways & spaces, sleeves, slots & conduits, planning & designing cable pull boxes, fire stopping, campus backbone design.
Designing Equipment Rooms - Electrical power requirements & distribution, environmental, space & structural requirements, electrical ground & bonding. Application exercise: equipment room sizing & location.
Designing Entrance Rooms - Calculating total space requirements, types of terminations & hardware, electrical protection, network demarcation. Application exercise: entrance facility case study.
RCDDs are required to demonstrate proficiency across a wide range of areas within structured cabling systems, including network, outside plant, wireless and electronic safety and security design, data centers and building automation systems (BAS).
The expanded knowledge enables the RCDD to advise the owner/end user of the appropriate IT, AV and security requirements. The RCDD has learned to perform the design tasks related to these systems, including construction drawings and specifications.
You are cordially invited to join the 5-day RCDD credential program in Hong Kong. For program details, exam criteria and application, please visit www.stmedia-asia.com/rcdd.html.
About the organizer
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Further to the Critical Facilities Design Courses - Data Center and Electrical and Air Conditioning System, the RCDD credential program (DD102: Designing Telecommunications Distribution System) is an intensive 5-day core training which details about designing telecommunications spaces and horizontal and backbone distribution systems:
Design Basics - Recommended design sequence, cabling infrastructure layout, terms & definitions, overview of standards & codes.
Designing Telecommunications Rooms - Determining type number & size according to usable floor space, specifying power, lighting & floor loadings.
Designing Horizontal Distribution Systems - Pathway sizing & routing considerations. Design rules for under-floor duct, cellular floors, conduit, & access floors. Use of ceiling distribution including ceiling zones method. Application exercises; design of under-floor conduit system & comparison with overhead plenum rated method. Specifying copper & fibre optic cabling complete with documentation methods. Examples of cable management during installation & cross connection. Installation sequence for zoned systems.
Designing Backbone Systems - Backbone design & planning, media selection options (copper versus fibre), colour codes, backbone pathways & spaces, sleeves, slots & conduits, planning & designing cable pull boxes, fire stopping, campus backbone design.
Designing Equipment Rooms - Electrical power requirements & distribution, environmental, space & structural requirements, electrical ground & bonding. Application exercise: equipment room sizing & location.
Designing Entrance Rooms - Calculating total space requirements, types of terminations & hardware, electrical protection, network demarcation. Application exercise: entrance facility case study.
RCDDs are required to demonstrate proficiency across a wide range of areas within structured cabling systems, including network, outside plant, wireless and electronic safety and security design, data centers and building automation systems (BAS).
The expanded knowledge enables the RCDD to advise the owner/end user of the appropriate IT, AV and security requirements. The RCDD has learned to perform the design tasks related to these systems, including construction drawings and specifications.
You are cordially invited to join the 5-day RCDD credential program in Hong Kong. For program details, exam criteria and application, please visit www.stmedia-asia.com/rcdd.html.
About the organizer
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Friday, July 3, 2015
Data Center Design Consideration: Site Selection
So far we explored three criteria when constructing a data center: Redundancy, Cooling and Space Planning. However, the location where you build your mission critical facilities is also an important design decision. Locations that incurs high costs with significant threats to availability or limits the functions of a data center should not be good choices.
So, please review the following criteria when choosing the best location. We understand that not all of these criteria will be relevant but some may be even more critical in certain industries compared with others. And, of course, your final decision should take a balance of various considerations.
How far to access by your employees
The first issue is the distance between your data center and main office. Unlike Hong Kong, one of the small cities in the world, can you access your data center within 1 - 2 hours by driving or other transportation? Renovated industrial buildings or even an existing structure in a city / next to a transportation network that are already owned offers plenty of space. In such cases, network latency is seldom a concern (it is especially important for Carrier Neutral Data Centers). The longer distance incurs higher latencies and it is inconvenient if employees must work in both locations.
How far to access by your customers
It depends on a data center use and targets. Most colocation sites can be reached by their customers within a short period of time. Financial companies, for example, often build the facilities that are physically close to trading markets (the “customer”). This selection enables faster trades owing to lower latencies between the data center and the market, potentially increasing the company’s profits. In other cases, a company targeting, say, a foreign market might consider building a data center in another nation to best serve patrons there.
Operations and Maintenance
Choosing a data center's location where your services providers, contractors and stakeholders are available is important. Apart from construction, your data center genset, for example, should be supplied and refilled by a diesel provider. Your site selection affects your choice of who can and will be involved with your data center.
Physical Risk
Earthquakes can cause structural damage to buildings, topple server racks and destroy infrastructure like power and networking lines. A good data center design in such a location implements safeguards against such events, but these additional features increase the construction cost—maybe dramatically. Vibrations from public transport and nearby airports can affect equipment, as can electromagnetic interference from antennas and other sources. Beyond such incidental conditions are issues like political instability and crime.
Other threats like flooding, fires and volcanoes can pose a particular danger in some locations.
Climate
Cooling is a major operating expense, but the colder the local climate, the greater the potential for using free cooling and for greater cooling efficiency (even with mechanical cooling).
Physical Infrastructure
A good site will offer enough power and water and sufficient networking bandwidth to support the data center. The cost of these resources is as important as their availability.
Real Estate
The cost of land or an existing building matters. If the property / building is not owned by the data center owner, the leasing terms, periods and responsibilities must be carefully considered and negotiated with the landlord.
Building Structure
A data center houses mission critical facilities, servers, cabinet and racks. Though an existing building may be the best option for your new data center, this approach raises a number of unique challenges. You should evaluate the building structure relative to the weight of racks and other equipment, as well as determining if the power and other infrastructure are sufficient or can be reasonably improved to meet your needs. A poorly chosen building can necessitate numerous retrofits, such as freight elevators, raised ceilings and so on.
Local Law and Taxes
Property and taxes can be a serious downside to a given location which may seriously affect the operations and capital costs of your data center. In addition, the data ownership and privacy law are different in cities / countries. China, for example, requests special licenses and permission to run a data center and host sensitive information.
About the Blogger
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
So, please review the following criteria when choosing the best location. We understand that not all of these criteria will be relevant but some may be even more critical in certain industries compared with others. And, of course, your final decision should take a balance of various considerations.
How far to access by your employees
The first issue is the distance between your data center and main office. Unlike Hong Kong, one of the small cities in the world, can you access your data center within 1 - 2 hours by driving or other transportation? Renovated industrial buildings or even an existing structure in a city / next to a transportation network that are already owned offers plenty of space. In such cases, network latency is seldom a concern (it is especially important for Carrier Neutral Data Centers). The longer distance incurs higher latencies and it is inconvenient if employees must work in both locations.
How far to access by your customers
It depends on a data center use and targets. Most colocation sites can be reached by their customers within a short period of time. Financial companies, for example, often build the facilities that are physically close to trading markets (the “customer”). This selection enables faster trades owing to lower latencies between the data center and the market, potentially increasing the company’s profits. In other cases, a company targeting, say, a foreign market might consider building a data center in another nation to best serve patrons there.
Operations and Maintenance
Choosing a data center's location where your services providers, contractors and stakeholders are available is important. Apart from construction, your data center genset, for example, should be supplied and refilled by a diesel provider. Your site selection affects your choice of who can and will be involved with your data center.
Physical Risk
Earthquakes can cause structural damage to buildings, topple server racks and destroy infrastructure like power and networking lines. A good data center design in such a location implements safeguards against such events, but these additional features increase the construction cost—maybe dramatically. Vibrations from public transport and nearby airports can affect equipment, as can electromagnetic interference from antennas and other sources. Beyond such incidental conditions are issues like political instability and crime.
Other threats like flooding, fires and volcanoes can pose a particular danger in some locations.
Climate
Cooling is a major operating expense, but the colder the local climate, the greater the potential for using free cooling and for greater cooling efficiency (even with mechanical cooling).
Physical Infrastructure
A good site will offer enough power and water and sufficient networking bandwidth to support the data center. The cost of these resources is as important as their availability.
Real Estate
The cost of land or an existing building matters. If the property / building is not owned by the data center owner, the leasing terms, periods and responsibilities must be carefully considered and negotiated with the landlord.
Building Structure
A data center houses mission critical facilities, servers, cabinet and racks. Though an existing building may be the best option for your new data center, this approach raises a number of unique challenges. You should evaluate the building structure relative to the weight of racks and other equipment, as well as determining if the power and other infrastructure are sufficient or can be reasonably improved to meet your needs. A poorly chosen building can necessitate numerous retrofits, such as freight elevators, raised ceilings and so on.
Local Law and Taxes
Property and taxes can be a serious downside to a given location which may seriously affect the operations and capital costs of your data center. In addition, the data ownership and privacy law are different in cities / countries. China, for example, requests special licenses and permission to run a data center and host sensitive information.
About the Blogger
Strategic Media Asia Ltd (SMA) is one of the Approved CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). SMA exists to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on data center design, critical infrastructure system, electrical and mechanical facilities, etc.
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Become a Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)
Maintenance and Reliability Best Practices: Become Certified MRP
(9 - 11 June 2015), Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) is an ANSI-accredited program and is the number 1 credentialing program for the knowledge, skills and abilities of M&R professionals. Assessing more than just textbook knowledge, the exam tests and validates the skills and abilities of maintenance and reliability professionals. Earning this qualifications means earning a coveted credential recognized across all industries in the manufacturing world validated by the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals.
You are invited to join the program in June 2015:
Title: Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)
Location: The Royale Chulan Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 9 - 11 June, 2015
For program details and registration, please visit
http://energy.fleminggulf.com/maintenance-reliability-best-practices
The Blogger
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
2 Days Training in Data Center Facilities Design & Infrastructure Engineering + Half Day Technical Visit for 2 Data Centers
You are cordially invited to join the forthcoming events and training course in critical facilities design and technical visit in August and September 2015:
Data Center Facilities Design and Infrastructure Engineering
(17 - 18 September 2015, approved CPD course by CIBSE)
The 2-day course is designed for Building Services Engineers, Facilities / Data Center Managers, IT Management, etc. to enrich and update the knowledge in critical facilities and data centers design & build. It is more than a general introductory program for data center. Topics include:
- IT strategy
- Cabinet layout
- Raised floor system
- Data center network and structure
- Telecommunication backbones, redundancy, sizing and planning
- Fiber and optical system design
- Fiber and optical cable components
- Copper cabling components
- Copper system design and high speed ethernet
- Cable distribution, layout and management
- Earthing / grounding and bounding
- Power (1) – high / low voltage system, switch system, etc.
- Power (2) – UPS, transformers, fuel tanks, generators, etc.
- Cooling (1) – cooling topology, hot / cold aisle, etc.
- Cooling (2) – chiller, CRAC, cooling towers, etc.
- Environmental management system
- Physical security
- Fire protection system
Date: 17 - 18 September 2015 (Thursday - Friday)
Time: 10:00 – 17:30
Venue: G/F, Innocentre, 72 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
Fee: Special rate for CIBSE / HKIE all membership classes
For details, please refer to http://www.stmedia-asia.com/newsletter_6.html.
Half Day Technical Visit to Data Centers in Kwai Chung
and Tai Po (One of the leading Satellite Operators in Hong Kong)
Sponsored and coordinated by IXTech (www.hkcix.com)
Further to the critical facilities courses mentioned, a half-day technical visit is targeted to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry to exchange professional views and experience on TWO data center facilities (Tier II and Tier III) and satellite operation services.
Date: 11 September 2015 (Friday)
Duration: 13:45 - 17:00
Assembly Time: 13:45 - 14:00
Assembly Point: Kwai Yan Road's Bus Stop, Hong Kong (Next to the Exit D, Kwai Fong MTR Station)
Fee: HK$100, Round-trip transportation will be provided
(Waiver for the 2-day CPD courses' participants)
Remarks:
Pre-registration required. Business Card (if any) and HKID Card (or Passport) will be used for on-site identity vertification. The data center operators reserve the right to refuse any unexpected registration for the Technical Visit. In case of disputes, the ultimate decision will be reserved by the operators.
Seats are limited. Priority will be given to the CPD course's participants.
For details of the technical visit, please visit http://www.stmedia-asia.com/data-center-tour.html.
About the Organizer
Strategic Media Asia Limited (SMA) is one of the approved CPD course providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) UK. For details, please visit www.stmedia-asia.com/about.html.
Data Center Facilities Design and Infrastructure Engineering
(17 - 18 September 2015, approved CPD course by CIBSE)
The 2-day course is designed for Building Services Engineers, Facilities / Data Center Managers, IT Management, etc. to enrich and update the knowledge in critical facilities and data centers design & build. It is more than a general introductory program for data center. Topics include:
- IT strategy
- Cabinet layout
- Raised floor system
- Data center network and structure
- Telecommunication backbones, redundancy, sizing and planning
- Fiber and optical system design
- Fiber and optical cable components
- Copper cabling components
- Copper system design and high speed ethernet
- Cable distribution, layout and management
- Earthing / grounding and bounding
- Power (1) – high / low voltage system, switch system, etc.
- Power (2) – UPS, transformers, fuel tanks, generators, etc.
- Cooling (1) – cooling topology, hot / cold aisle, etc.
- Cooling (2) – chiller, CRAC, cooling towers, etc.
- Environmental management system
- Physical security
- Fire protection system
Date: 17 - 18 September 2015 (Thursday - Friday)
Time: 10:00 – 17:30
Venue: G/F, Innocentre, 72 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong
Fee: Special rate for CIBSE / HKIE all membership classes
For details, please refer to http://www.stmedia-asia.com/newsletter_6.html.
Half Day Technical Visit to Data Centers in Kwai Chung
and Tai Po (One of the leading Satellite Operators in Hong Kong)
Sponsored and coordinated by IXTech (www.hkcix.com)
Further to the critical facilities courses mentioned, a half-day technical visit is targeted to provide an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry to exchange professional views and experience on TWO data center facilities (Tier II and Tier III) and satellite operation services.
Date: 11 September 2015 (Friday)
Duration: 13:45 - 17:00
Assembly Time: 13:45 - 14:00
Assembly Point: Kwai Yan Road's Bus Stop, Hong Kong (Next to the Exit D, Kwai Fong MTR Station)
Fee: HK$100, Round-trip transportation will be provided
(Waiver for the 2-day CPD courses' participants)
Remarks:
Pre-registration required. Business Card (if any) and HKID Card (or Passport) will be used for on-site identity vertification. The data center operators reserve the right to refuse any unexpected registration for the Technical Visit. In case of disputes, the ultimate decision will be reserved by the operators.
Seats are limited. Priority will be given to the CPD course's participants.
For details of the technical visit, please visit http://www.stmedia-asia.com/data-center-tour.html.
About the Organizer
Strategic Media Asia Limited (SMA) is one of the approved CPD course providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) UK. For details, please visit www.stmedia-asia.com/about.html.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Australian Plant Shutdown and Turnaround Forum (7 - 8 October 2015)
Australian Plant Shutdown and Turnaround Forum (7 - 8 October 2015)
Perth, Australia
SMA has become one of the media partners and supporting organizations for an overseas event - Australian Plant Shutdown and Turnaround Forum.
The Australian Plants Shutdown and Turnaround Forum has been designed to bring together leading industry experts to share best-practiced procedures for efficient TAR projects. The programme will include multiple case studies from leading Oil and Gas, Mining and Utilities Players from the region. It will also address critical issues in scheduling, planning, execution, manpower resourcing as well as cost and time effective methods.
You are invited to join the Forum in October 2015:
Event Title: Australian Plant Shutdown & Turnaround Forum
Date: 7 and 8 October, 2015
Location: Perth, Australia
Industries: Oil & Gas, Energy & Resources, Petrochemicals and Power Utilities
Date: 7 and 8 October, 2015
Location: Perth, Australia
Industries: Oil & Gas, Energy & Resources, Petrochemicals and Power Utilities
For event details, sponsorship and registration, please visit
http://energy.fleminggulf.com/shutdown-turnaround-australia-forum
The Blogger
SMA connects IT, Facilities and Design. For details, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Data Center Design Consideration: Redundancy
So far we have discussed about the Cooling and Space Planning issues for data center design. We all note that data centers are very special purpose-built facilities providing critical and uninterrupted services. In this section we are going to explore one of the key considerations - Redundancy.
Redundancy entails providing system beyond the minimum capacity to ensure these systems continue to operate even if part of the system fails. Under the TIA-942 Standards, data centers are classified into different tiers based on their availability and redundant designs. What exactly are these designs?
For more information of Tier Levels: N, N+1, 2N, 2(N+1), please visit our previous articles:
http://green-data.blogspot.com/2014/07/data-center-tier-levels-and-uptime.html
http://green-data.blogspot.com/2014/09/more-about-data-center-tier-levels.html
N Design
An N design means the number of components and paths is exactly what is required to meet the data center requirements. There is neither spare capacity nor any standby unit. Basically, there is no redundancy and the system will totally fail when a component or path fails.
N+1 Design
An N+1 design requires the number of components installed to exceed the requirements by one. In this case, when one of the components fails, the standby unit will take over and the system would continue to operate.
2N Design
As the name mentions, a 2N design has 2 independent working systems supporting the data center. In the event a primary system fails, a secondary system would take over and continue the uninterrupted operations.
2(N+1) Design
A 2(N+1) design is an extension of the 2N design. Both the primary and secondary systems are equipped with a single group of (N+1) facilities, e.g., each system has an extra component. This design is more resilient than a 2N design and would be able to withstand a concurrent path and component failure.
It is important to understand that in 2N or 2(N+1) systems, the secondary system should be located away from the primary system which minimizes the primary and secondary system from being damaged by any incidents, such as fire, floods, etc.
The following examples illustrate the design of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system supplying 200kVA of power to a data center:
In an N Design, one UPS of 200kVA is installed. This design would meet the 200kVA requirements of the data center. Normal operation is disrupted when the UPS fail.
An additional UPS is installed in an N+1 Design. This brings the number of UPS system to 2 which allows for normal operation if one UPS fails. E.g., the remaining UPS would still able to support the minimum 200kVA power. However, the system can be still failure if the path (feeder cable) linking the UPS to the equipment is damaged.
A 2N Design offers protection for both path and component failures. This requires 2 UPS systems (Primary and Secondary) each with 1 unit of 200kVA UPS. Should a UPS fails to start or a cable feeder is damaged, the Secondary System would take over and continue to supply the required load.
The 2(N+1) Design is the most resilient of the 4 designs discussed. 2 systems with 2 units of 200kVA UPS each are installed. This design would continue to provide the necessary 200kVA power even if there is a simultaneous component and path failure. It should be noted, however, no design is 100% fail-proof and this design would still fail in the event of multiple failures.
The pictures below show the resiliency of various systems under different failure conditions:
The Blogger
Strategic Media Asia (SMA) is one of the CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
SMA, a critical infrastructure training and event organizer based in Hong Kong, provides an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on critical infrastructure and E&M facilities.
For details of other data center courses and seminars, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Redundancy entails providing system beyond the minimum capacity to ensure these systems continue to operate even if part of the system fails. Under the TIA-942 Standards, data centers are classified into different tiers based on their availability and redundant designs. What exactly are these designs?
For more information of Tier Levels: N, N+1, 2N, 2(N+1), please visit our previous articles:
http://green-data.blogspot.com/2014/07/data-center-tier-levels-and-uptime.html
http://green-data.blogspot.com/2014/09/more-about-data-center-tier-levels.html
N Design
An N design means the number of components and paths is exactly what is required to meet the data center requirements. There is neither spare capacity nor any standby unit. Basically, there is no redundancy and the system will totally fail when a component or path fails.
N+1 Design
An N+1 design requires the number of components installed to exceed the requirements by one. In this case, when one of the components fails, the standby unit will take over and the system would continue to operate.
2N Design
As the name mentions, a 2N design has 2 independent working systems supporting the data center. In the event a primary system fails, a secondary system would take over and continue the uninterrupted operations.
2(N+1) Design
A 2(N+1) design is an extension of the 2N design. Both the primary and secondary systems are equipped with a single group of (N+1) facilities, e.g., each system has an extra component. This design is more resilient than a 2N design and would be able to withstand a concurrent path and component failure.
It is important to understand that in 2N or 2(N+1) systems, the secondary system should be located away from the primary system which minimizes the primary and secondary system from being damaged by any incidents, such as fire, floods, etc.
The following examples illustrate the design of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system supplying 200kVA of power to a data center:
 |
Figure 1: Various redundant design for a UPS system providing 200kVA of power |
In an N Design, one UPS of 200kVA is installed. This design would meet the 200kVA requirements of the data center. Normal operation is disrupted when the UPS fail.
An additional UPS is installed in an N+1 Design. This brings the number of UPS system to 2 which allows for normal operation if one UPS fails. E.g., the remaining UPS would still able to support the minimum 200kVA power. However, the system can be still failure if the path (feeder cable) linking the UPS to the equipment is damaged.
A 2N Design offers protection for both path and component failures. This requires 2 UPS systems (Primary and Secondary) each with 1 unit of 200kVA UPS. Should a UPS fails to start or a cable feeder is damaged, the Secondary System would take over and continue to supply the required load.
The 2(N+1) Design is the most resilient of the 4 designs discussed. 2 systems with 2 units of 200kVA UPS each are installed. This design would continue to provide the necessary 200kVA power even if there is a simultaneous component and path failure. It should be noted, however, no design is 100% fail-proof and this design would still fail in the event of multiple failures.
The pictures below show the resiliency of various systems under different failure conditions:
 |
Figure 2: Different redundant design under different failure conditions |
The Blogger
Strategic Media Asia (SMA) is one of the CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
SMA, a critical infrastructure training and event organizer based in Hong Kong, provides an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on critical infrastructure and E&M facilities.
For details of other data center courses and seminars, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Data Center Design Consideration: Cooling
Further to the previous articles in Data Center Design Consideration: Space Planning, thermal management is also an important consideration in data center design. As more cloud-based platform and applications developed and the big data trends, the demand for server usage and data storage will grow continuously. As a result, more power is consumed and more heat is generated by the servers and electronics. Proper heat dissipation techniques are therefore necessary to ensure heat is effectively removed from the equipment.
Proper design for data center cooling at least has 3 components:
Mechanical, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (MVAC) Precision System
It supplies and distributes chilled air into the computer room. The MVAC system is designed based on the total heat load of the equipment. Depending on the geographical location of your data center, temperature is typically kept between 20 - 25 degree.
Rack Layout
The TIA-942 standard recommends the use of a hot aisle and cold aisle layout in positioning racks. Racks are organised in rows with an aisle dividing each row of racks. Racks are then installed with either the front or the rear of the rack facing each other along every aisle.
The aisles, which access the front, are designated cold aisles while the aisles that access the rear are designated hot aisles.
With this layout, cooled (fresh) air is introduced into the cold aisles. As the cooled air enters the rack and moves from the front to the rear, it extracts heat from the rack-mounted equipment. At the rear, air is expelled into the hot aisles where they are directed back to the Air Handling Units (AHU) / Computer Room Air-conditioning (CRAC) Units. Using this directed path of air circulation, the computer / servers equipment are effectively cooled.
Source: http://macc.umich.edu
Rack Design
In order to make the cool aisle / hot aisle layout effective, the rack are required to be carefully installed and designed. It ensures cooled air enters the rack, is forced through the equipment and hot air is expelled from the rack:
About SMA
Strategic Media Asia (SMA), a critical infrastructure training and event organizer based in Hong Kong, provides an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on critical infrastructure and E&M facilities.
SMA is one of the CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
For details of other data center courses and seminars, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Proper design for data center cooling at least has 3 components:
Mechanical, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (MVAC) Precision System
It supplies and distributes chilled air into the computer room. The MVAC system is designed based on the total heat load of the equipment. Depending on the geographical location of your data center, temperature is typically kept between 20 - 25 degree.
Rack Layout
The TIA-942 standard recommends the use of a hot aisle and cold aisle layout in positioning racks. Racks are organised in rows with an aisle dividing each row of racks. Racks are then installed with either the front or the rear of the rack facing each other along every aisle.
The aisles, which access the front, are designated cold aisles while the aisles that access the rear are designated hot aisles.
With this layout, cooled (fresh) air is introduced into the cold aisles. As the cooled air enters the rack and moves from the front to the rear, it extracts heat from the rack-mounted equipment. At the rear, air is expelled into the hot aisles where they are directed back to the Air Handling Units (AHU) / Computer Room Air-conditioning (CRAC) Units. Using this directed path of air circulation, the computer / servers equipment are effectively cooled.
Source: http://macc.umich.edu
Rack Design
In order to make the cool aisle / hot aisle layout effective, the rack are required to be carefully installed and designed. It ensures cooled air enters the rack, is forced through the equipment and hot air is expelled from the rack:
- Intelligent fan doors for drawing cooled air into the rack.
- Blower fans to ensures cooled air is available along the front of the entire rack.
- Fan doors and blower fans are used when there are insufficient air entering the cabinet.
- Filler panels and air dams for blocking gaps between the front and rear of the rack.
- Air diverter kits to divert cooled air upwards which helps air to flow into the equipment and to prevent hot air at the back from re-circulating to the front.
About SMA
Strategic Media Asia (SMA), a critical infrastructure training and event organizer based in Hong Kong, provides an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on critical infrastructure and E&M facilities.
SMA is one of the CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
For details of other data center courses and seminars, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Data Center Design Consideration: Space Planning
A data hall houses computers and communications equipment that delivers, store and process information. This is the heart of the data center that operates all mission-critical applications. You need to address 2 key considerations:
(1) Restricting Access
Access to the data hall shall be limited and restricted to only authorized people and to minimize any accidental damage to the computer systems.
(2) Maximizing Floor Space
Floor space in the data hall is extremely valuable due to the high investment placed into the supporting infrastructure. It includes precision air-conditioning, standby power supply, equipment-safe fire protection system as well as security and monitoring systems.
"Non-essential" Items
Sometime "non-essential" doesn't mean useless. To maximize the use and enhancing the security of the area, "non-essential" items should be located outside the data hall. Examples of these items are:
(A) Operating Console / Network Operation Center (NOC)
It houses computer stations connect to the equipment or critical facilities in a data center. NOC may be situated in a separated room / area next to the data hall. Staff can monitor and manage the various systems here and enter the data hall only when they install cables or equipment. It also ensures that the operations and maintenance of the console do not affects the racks/cabinets inside the data hall.
(B) Gas Suppression Systems
Gas Suppression Systems such as FM200 are frequently used in a data center for fire fighting purposes. Gas is used over water as they do not damage the data hall's equipment when discharging. Unlike water, gas should be stored in gas cylinders. Placing these cylinders outside the data hall would allow your technicians to serve them easier.
(C) UPS Batteries & Generators
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), high voltage switchgear and Genset are critical to supply backup power and are usually isolated in different rooms / area:
(D) Air Handling Units (AHU) / Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRACs) Units
It's commmon for a dedicated AHU / CRAC Units to be used in a data room which ensure air from other parts of the data center is not recirculated into the critical area. In addition to being bulky, the AHU or CRAC Units generates heat and maintenance issues. AHU / CRAC Units, therefore, are unsuitable to be placed inside a data hall. Should they be installed in a data hall, they should be placed along the hot aisles.
Maintenance Area
It is important equipment installed in a data center can be repaired or replaced easily without affecting normal operations. Unless we absolutely sure that rear access to the equipment is not required, no equipment should be placed along a wall such as switchgear.
A minimum space greater than the depth of the equipment is required in front or at the back of the equipment which allows
- New parts' installation
- Maintenance or repair
- Airflow (such as hot aisle or cold aisle design)
For racks, a minimum of 1m clearance is observed between racks. A 1.5m radius is usually kept at the end of cabinets / racks which facilitates the use of trolley to move heavy equipment into the aisles.
Raised Floors
Typical raised floor inside a data hall / NOC are 150mm to 300mm (or higher depends on the floor height or design request, you may refer to the international standard / advice in TIA-942 or Uptime Institute). A ramp is usually created at the entrance to bridge the different in heights. It also allows trolley to move heavy equipment. The gradient of a ramp should not be steeper than 1:12.
Per normal practices, power cables (high voltage) are usually put under the raised floor, whereas data cables are usually put inside a cable tray overhead.
Cable Routing
We suggest power cables are separated from data cables. It ensures that the power cables do not pose any electromagnetic interference (EMI) to the data cables. Per previous advice, power cables are laid under the raised floors, whereas data cables are laid overhead.
In addition, data and power cables should be entered a data hall (or other faciliities' rooms) at opposite ends of the area whenever possible to avoid too many cables on one side and EMI problem.
Layout of a data center should be designed to minimize the run of data or power cables. For example, power cables enters the data hall and are routed through
- Riser (Cable Entry)
- Electrical Distribution Box / PDU (Power Distribution Units)
- UPS (High Voltage Switches, etc.)
- Equipment Racks
with minimized distance if they are located near each other relatively.
Expansion
Data Center are used to serve enterprises, government or other organizations. As business or services developed, the demand for faster applications and data storage grow as well. You are advised to allow space for expansion purposes. This expansion space could be located near the entrance of a data center / data hall which allows easier renovation and the installation of new equipment , cabinets and racks.
Cabling, cable trays and empty racks, where feasible, can be pre-installed in the expansion areas. This would minimize the amount of work to be done and the disruption of data center operations / equipment during expansion.
About SMA
Strategic Media Asia (SMA), a critical infrastructure training and event organizer based in Hong Kong, provides an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on critical infrastructure and E&M facilities.
SMA is one of the CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
For details of other data center courses and seminars, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.
(1) Restricting Access
Access to the data hall shall be limited and restricted to only authorized people and to minimize any accidental damage to the computer systems.
(2) Maximizing Floor Space
Floor space in the data hall is extremely valuable due to the high investment placed into the supporting infrastructure. It includes precision air-conditioning, standby power supply, equipment-safe fire protection system as well as security and monitoring systems.
"Non-essential" Items
Sometime "non-essential" doesn't mean useless. To maximize the use and enhancing the security of the area, "non-essential" items should be located outside the data hall. Examples of these items are:
(A) Operating Console / Network Operation Center (NOC)
It houses computer stations connect to the equipment or critical facilities in a data center. NOC may be situated in a separated room / area next to the data hall. Staff can monitor and manage the various systems here and enter the data hall only when they install cables or equipment. It also ensures that the operations and maintenance of the console do not affects the racks/cabinets inside the data hall.
(B) Gas Suppression Systems
Gas Suppression Systems such as FM200 are frequently used in a data center for fire fighting purposes. Gas is used over water as they do not damage the data hall's equipment when discharging. Unlike water, gas should be stored in gas cylinders. Placing these cylinders outside the data hall would allow your technicians to serve them easier.
(C) UPS Batteries & Generators
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), high voltage switchgear and Genset are critical to supply backup power and are usually isolated in different rooms / area:
- Batteries will discharge gas during charging.
- Batteries contain acid that may leak and damage equipment
- Prevention of fire
- For safety reason, only qualified electrical workers are allow to enter the room and serve the high voltage facilities
(D) Air Handling Units (AHU) / Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRACs) Units
It's commmon for a dedicated AHU / CRAC Units to be used in a data room which ensure air from other parts of the data center is not recirculated into the critical area. In addition to being bulky, the AHU or CRAC Units generates heat and maintenance issues. AHU / CRAC Units, therefore, are unsuitable to be placed inside a data hall. Should they be installed in a data hall, they should be placed along the hot aisles.
Maintenance Area
It is important equipment installed in a data center can be repaired or replaced easily without affecting normal operations. Unless we absolutely sure that rear access to the equipment is not required, no equipment should be placed along a wall such as switchgear.
A minimum space greater than the depth of the equipment is required in front or at the back of the equipment which allows
- New parts' installation
- Maintenance or repair
- Airflow (such as hot aisle or cold aisle design)
For racks, a minimum of 1m clearance is observed between racks. A 1.5m radius is usually kept at the end of cabinets / racks which facilitates the use of trolley to move heavy equipment into the aisles.
Raised Floors
Typical raised floor inside a data hall / NOC are 150mm to 300mm (or higher depends on the floor height or design request, you may refer to the international standard / advice in TIA-942 or Uptime Institute). A ramp is usually created at the entrance to bridge the different in heights. It also allows trolley to move heavy equipment. The gradient of a ramp should not be steeper than 1:12.
Per normal practices, power cables (high voltage) are usually put under the raised floor, whereas data cables are usually put inside a cable tray overhead.
Cable Routing
We suggest power cables are separated from data cables. It ensures that the power cables do not pose any electromagnetic interference (EMI) to the data cables. Per previous advice, power cables are laid under the raised floors, whereas data cables are laid overhead.
In addition, data and power cables should be entered a data hall (or other faciliities' rooms) at opposite ends of the area whenever possible to avoid too many cables on one side and EMI problem.
Layout of a data center should be designed to minimize the run of data or power cables. For example, power cables enters the data hall and are routed through
- Riser (Cable Entry)
- Electrical Distribution Box / PDU (Power Distribution Units)
- UPS (High Voltage Switches, etc.)
- Equipment Racks
with minimized distance if they are located near each other relatively.
Expansion
Data Center are used to serve enterprises, government or other organizations. As business or services developed, the demand for faster applications and data storage grow as well. You are advised to allow space for expansion purposes. This expansion space could be located near the entrance of a data center / data hall which allows easier renovation and the installation of new equipment , cabinets and racks.
Cabling, cable trays and empty racks, where feasible, can be pre-installed in the expansion areas. This would minimize the amount of work to be done and the disruption of data center operations / equipment during expansion.
About SMA
Strategic Media Asia (SMA), a critical infrastructure training and event organizer based in Hong Kong, provides an interactive environment and opportunities for members of IDC industry and engineers to exchange professional views and experience on critical infrastructure and E&M facilities.
SMA is one of the CPD Course Providers of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE).
For details of other data center courses and seminars, please visit our website at http://www.stmedia-asia.com/trainings.html.