• • • DATA CENTRES & UPS • • •
spaces. The capacity of the existing foundations and structure for load increase allowance must be considered, along with party wall restrictions and fire regulation changes.
There’s also a key requirement to consider the data centre impact on the environment and the local community, and to ensure that any modernisation programmes consider the needs of local stakeholders nearby.
The solution
The key to unlocking the potential of disused, or partially used, data centres is to forensically establish a thorough understanding of the existing structure. Through a series of early investigations, structural modelling, and interrogation of archive information, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of the structure from the feasibility stage. The process includes archive searches of existing planning and building control portals, seeking copies of archive drawings from the original design team, and conducting intrusive and non-intrusive investigations to understand the existing structure. To limit the increase in load on the existing foundations, we aim to restrict the increase to 14%, removing the need for expensive and time- consuming foundation strengthening or underpinning works. Any increase of the design load applied to the existing structural frame would also need a detailed investigation, as the existing
structural frame would need to be strengthened to support the increase in load. Parmarbrook has decades of experience in designing and executing extensive refurbishments in commercial space where tenants are in situ, and boast a portfolio of historic building optimisations. Retrofitting a live environment brings a set of challenges that our team is well- versed in overcoming. Much like with data centres, where uninterrupted power supply is critical, we ensure that refurbishments are carried out with no disruption to tenants, their businesses, and the people whose data the centres are holding and protecting. Parmarbrook has a wealth of experience in the cut and carve refurbishments of existing buildings in and around London, quite often working on live projects that remain fully or partially in occupation during the full term of the construction works. It is this experience that lends Parmarbrook to working on the refurbishment and retrofit of complex and constrained legacy data centres. As quite often, the project will have to be delivered and phased, ensuring no impact is experienced by the neighbouring data halls and ancillary support systems.
Sustainable refurbishments not only unlock the potential of existing data centres, but they also contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and help businesses achieve their sustainability goals.
As pressures increase on the availability of suitable land for data centres, it is essential to
consider sustainable refurbishments as a viable option, and we must work together as an industry to ensure that we build and refurbish buildings with the lowest possible carbon emissions. By unlocking the potential of under-utilised data centres and repurposing these structures, we can maximise their potential and provide data centres with a reduced carbon footprint, due to the saving of the existing structures’ embodied carbon.
Data centres play a crucial role in the digital age, and their uptime is critical. However, outdated and inefficient buildings, unsuitable floor plans, and inadequate structural integrity mean that many legacy data centres are no longer fit for purpose, especially as the computing envelope of density and power intensity increases. Sustainable refurbishments of existing data centres can provide much-needed space for data centres, minimise the embodied carbon impact, and lower the carbon footprint. With careful planning and consideration with like-minded Architectural and MEPH consultant partners, it is possible to unlock the potential of disused, or partially used, data centres and provide modern data centres that meet the requirements of today’s advanced computing customers across a plethora of industries.
A small early expenditure for investigation works can provide an overall cost saving by de-risking the structure and can help identify the potential of a large volume of legacy properties.
22 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2023
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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