Data Centre and Server Room Design, Build and Construction

Future-Tech has over 25 years’ experience in creating data centres, computer rooms and server rooms within all types of building, from new office blocks and warehouses to listed buildings. We also provide modular data centres suitable for external use. Future-Tech will also undertake any associated construction works such as plinths and/or security fencing for external plant.

Give us a call now to arrange a free initial consultation on 0845 9000 127 or click the contact us link to your right.

We will work with you to select the best construction methods to suit the location and all your requirements. Typically, the methods we employ will include one or more of the following:

• block-work
• plasterboard partitioning
• modular room
• raised access flooring
• suspended ceiling
• structural steel and civils

Modular Data Centres

Modular Data Centres (MDC’s) have become very popular due to their fast construction and the fact that no messy ‘wet trades’ are required. They can also provide a higher degree of fire protection than conventional construction including meeting the EN 1047-2 standard for the protection of IT equipment.

Modular Rooms are constructed from pre-formed steel panels with either foam or mineral wool insulation. The panel thickness is usually 100mm for the walls and 150mm for the roof, but can vary depending on the fire rating. Finish is polyester power coating.

Raised Access Flooring (also referred to as Raised Modular Floor or RMF)

Until relatively recently almost every data centre would have a raised access floor through which cold air from the CRAC units would be delivered via grilles to the fronts of the racks. However, cooling strategies such as in-row cooling and direct rack cooling do not require air to be supplied through the floor void. For this reason we are beginning to see rooms with solid floors, either because there is insufficient height for a raised floor or simply as a cost saving.

However in-row and rack cooling does require chilled water pipes, and each rack requires power and network cabling, so if there is no raised floor and all services have to be run at high level it can become very congested. There is also the question of whether you really want water pipes above your IT equipment. Consequently a raised floor is still often installed but with less depth than if used as a supply plenum. A typical strategy would be to run the pipe-work and power in the floor and the network cabling overhead thus keeping the power a data cabling well separated.

Specifications

Although there is a British Standard, BS EN 12825, the most commonly used specification for raised access floors is still the 25 year old PSA MOB PF2. This latter standard classifies floors by load carrying capacity and has four grades: light, medium, heavy and extra heavy. These grades are “vertical” meaning that each one encompasses all the requirements of those below it, making it easier to use than the more complex EN 12825.

As a minimum computer rooms should use the ‘heavy’ grade with larger data centres using ‘extra heavy’. If the floor is being used as a plenum then the depth of void will depend upon the size of the room and the cooling load. Tiles are 600mm x 600mm and will be finished in either vinyl or laminate with a static dissipative treatment.