• • • DATA CENTRE MANAGEMENT • • •
The benefits of modular aisle containment systems and cable management for data centres
In its 2020 report, global engineering and consulting firm, Arup cited that off-site construction can result in cost savings of up to 20% for data centre projects. Daniel Tew, UK & Ireland sales director at Atkore Unistrut, provides his top tips for commissioning an aisle containment and cable management system, to achieve maximum returns
It’s all in the design
energy performance required as well as the longer- term return on investment. Errors made during the design stage can result in longer-term inefficiencies or rework, impacting on ongoing maintenance and future upgrades and replacement too. Removing as many of the tasks typically associated with on-site construction as possible is vital if the project is to achieve the fast turnaround promised. With the new Atkore Unistrut aisle containment system, for example, all component parts arrive pre-cut and require no onsite preparation or welding, eliminating the hazards of hot works.
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Plan ahead Traditional on-site construction can result in unexpected costs due to delays, rework, and the need for additional resources. In fact, industry averages suggest that rework can cost between five to nine per cent of the overall project cost, so it well worth coordinating delivery and installation with the manufacture to ensure the time savings in installation are realised fully. This is echoed in the 2022 real estate outlook report from CBRE, in which it agrees that “The cost and complexity to build and fit out data centres have multiplied for operators. The pandemic has led to longer lead times even though Covid-19 restrictions have largely been alleviated in the UK. Operators haven’t delayed the delivery of new schemes for the most part.” Operators need to seek every advantage therefore to reduce on-site delays, particularly as they work to meet the ongoing challenges of meeting capacity shortages and building at scale. For example, with component parts prefabricated off-site, on-site labour can be reduced, which often represents a significant proportion of the overall project budget. Compared to traditional stick-build methods, the costs savings can soon add up – minimising the number of different trades on site. Arup’s report also notes that off-site construction can help to mitigate some of the risks associated with on-site construction, such as safety concerns, by taking the traditional build elements away from the busy data centre environment to a quality- control manufacturing plant.
14 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • APRIL 2023
isle containment systems can be complex to design and require a high level of technical expertise to achieve both the
Standardise the design Standardising the design of aisle containment systems can enable faster order-to-install completion. Repeatable, modular designs will also be engineered to minimise the number of different components parts required; another positive factor which can result in shorter lead times. This can have the added benefit of reducing potential supply chain delays too. With multiple orders being handled simultaneously, it is likely that the manufacturer will be purchasing stock ahead of schedule, making it easier to handle orders ‘on demand.’
Prioritise quality control: Off-site manufacture offers improved quality control compared to on-site construction. For example, systems are built in a quality-controlled manufacturing facility, where every component is cut to the desired length and is therefore of a proven standard. Reputable manufacturers will also offer batch control, to UK and European standards, acting as a
further guarantee of quality and full traceability back to the steel manufacturer in the event of any issues.
Plan for future growth
Savills estimates that by 2025, the number of data centres in Europe needs to increase nearly 2.5 times to more than 3,000 data centres (approx. 20,750 Mw) and that planned development are unlikely to be sufficient to meet demand. It is therefore vital that operators design the aisle containment and cable management system with future growth in mind. Using modular designs can help to minimise the need for costly upgrades or replacements further down the line. Furthermore, using off-site manufacture can provide greater flexibility in terms of project budgeting. Because costs are more predictable, operators can more easily adjust their budgets and resources to meet changing project needs. This can be especially important in the data centre industry, where the need for capacity can change rapidly.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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