NETWORKING & DATA MANAGEMENT


will cool equipment with more advanced hardware. The rises in temperature caused by by-product heat within a facility can affect infrastructure performance and lead to potential disruption and plant failure – consequences data centres and businesses reliant on server rooms are keen to avoid. Consequently, it is of paramount importance that IT professionals and data centre managers carefully consider whether their existing cooling equipment is suitable for their business’ needs.


Keeping cool


When it comes to removing heat in data centres, the two most common methods currently in use are air- or water-cooled systems. As higher temperatures begin to put data centres of all sizes at risk of overheating, it is vital that providers select the correct solution for satisfying the requirements of their facility.


An air-cooled system delivers cold air into the data centre or server room, extracting warm air from the room, mixing both to eliminate hot spots. This approach is most applicable for data centres and facilities with comparatively smaller power load densities,


where the power load required for the mixing process is a small fraction of the facility’s total power load. Where this is not the case, the system’s efficiency declines. Instead of balancing the temperature of the room, a water-cooled system transfers chilled water to exactly where it is required – the server racks and computer banks. This targeted approach is more efficient for companies operating larger data centres or server rooms. Though cooling systems of these types are usually installed as a permanent fixture within a data centre, temporary rental of cooling solutions may also need to be employed with extreme hot weather patterns occurring more frequently than ever. With data centres already using more and more power than ever before and the resulting impact on the environment a key industry concern, temporary solutions will alleviate the effects of a sudden heat wave without permanently using large amounts of power across a facility’s lifespan.


Within a data centre that uses free cooling, a system where cool air is supplied directly from the outside in cold weather locations, such temporary solutions


may be required in unusually warm conditions that may suddenly occur. As a contingency strategy, the implementation of chiller stab points within the cooling system allows for pre-existing access points for temporary chilling solutions to be quickly installed, ensuring downtime is kept to a minimum.


It must be noted that no two sites are the same, and may be subject to a wide array of changing variables such as temperature, humidity levels and


available space. So, before selecting air conditioning and cooling equipment, a site survey should be carried out to clarify the site’s power and temperature requirements, and what environmental factors need to be considered.


Finding the right solution


Specifying the right


temperature control system can be a highly technical task, usually requiring an expert in heating, ventilation and air conditioning to develop a bespoke plan. With this in mind, it is advisable companies use a third party to carry out this service. Companies such as Aggreko offer full


consultation as well as equipment to ensure that the cooling system within each data centre suits their individual requirements. Whether it is a long-term solution for temperature control, or a short-term hire of a system to alleviate the effects of sudden heatwaves or extreme weather fronts, choosing the right cooling equipment for a data centre is vital to avoiding downtime and added cost. Being sure of the facility’s demand, the weather patterns in its location and, crucially, consulting an expert of data centre temperature control will ensure such issues do not occur.


BSEE


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Before selecng air condioning and cooling equipment, a site survey should be carried out to clarify the site’s power and temperature requirements


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Read the latest at: www.bsee.co.uk


BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER APRIL 2020 17


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