Data centres
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Data comprises facts about things, people, events, states of affairs and other subjects. It is a set of values that can be stored in various formats, each value relating to a quantitative or qualitative entity. Put another way, data is a method for representing in some form or other how certain things actually are in the real world.
For more information see: Data
Data centres are buildings (or spaces within buildings) in which data can be stored on servers, computers, hard discs and other devices. Data storage is now often a rentable commodity, and it is crucial to maintain a service that is seamless and reliable. Data centres therefore feature ancillary systems such as back-up components and power supply systems.
Extending as far back as the first computer rooms of the 1940s, data centres became prolific during the dot-com bubble of 1997-2000, offering equipment, space and bandwidth facilities to retail customers. Today, they may take up a few floors or entire multi-storey buildings with areas of thousands of square metres.
[edit] Requirements of modern-day data centres
Modern data centres will be governed by the physical requirements that cover most buildings but will be required to satisfy extra criteria due to their specialised nature:
- Location: proximity to power grids and telecommunications infrastructure.
- Power: the driving force of a data centre without which it could not operate. However, it may be limited in capacity if subject to challenging power-usage legislation. Due to the relatively heavy power consumption of such facilities, planning guidelines may seek to minimise their carbon footprint, possibly by balancing the centre’s power consumption. This may be a design priority which could see the use of photovoltaics for complementary power generation and exporting waste heat energy to the local neighbourhood (see below).
- Construction: as well as being governed by minimum area requirements, local building regulations may stipulate a minimum floor to ceiling height – the clear distance between raised floor level and ceiling level. The raised floor allows access to wiring and cables and also assists with mechanical cooling. As data centres are primarily for equipment requiring minimal staff intervention – if at all – there may be no need for window openings. If there are no staff, there may be minimal requirement for lighting.
- Heating and ventilation: digital equipment tends to generate heat. Services may therefore be needed to regulate summer and winter temperatures to maintain a steady optimal, environment. Humidity stability may also be maintained. Depending on requirements, a constant pressure within the building may be specified. Special equipment may be used to monitor the environment and this may include pre-flood scenarios.
See also:
- Large hyper data centres demand for precision cooling.
- Data centre cooling.
- Top 10 tips for efficient data centre management.
[edit] Telehouse West
Opened in 2010, Telehouse West in London's Docklands area, was Europe’s first purpose-built neutral colocation provider. It was also the first major data centre to be built in the UK following the newly introduced energy requirements of the 2008 Planning Act. Spread over 19,000m2, with five floors of IT technical space, four service floors and a separate two-storey generator building, the windowless centre offers equipment, space and bandwidth facilities to retail customers.
To reduce the carbon footprint, engineers at WSP included a solution to provide 9MW of warm water free to the local community, and installed photovoltaic cells on the south elevation to further balance energy consumption.
NB NABERS UK, The Rules, Energy for Offices Version 1.0, published by NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment in November 2020, defines a data centre as:
'A computer server room that comprises:
- a) at least 5 % of the total office NIA of the rated building; or
- b) at least 25 % of the NIA of the floor on which it is located; or
- c) a room where at least 75 % of its capacity is dedicated to external users.
The combination of multiple computer server rooms is not considered a data centre.'
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Air conditioning.
- BREEAM Data Centres Annex Pilot.
- Building energy management systems BEMS.
- Building management systems.
- Building services engineer.
- Building services.
- Colocation centre.
- Computer server room.
- Cyber threats to building automation and control systems.
- Data.
- Data centre cooling.
- Energy management and building controls.
- HVAC.
- Internet of things.
- Large hyper data centres demand for precision cooling.
- Method of procedure.
- Smart buildings.
- Smart technology.
- Top 10 tips for efficient data centre management.
- Wireless vs wired building energy management system.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.