Data centres operate 24/7. This large Tier 3 facility expansion required defined levels of redundancy to ensure the most complete reliability possible.

Our mechanical and electrical design included a central cooling plant and emergency generation system to support the critical data floors.  The development involved a two-phase ‘design and construct’ concept, which was incorporated into the base design and operating strategy. The project was executed on time and within budget.

Mechanical Design

The Phase 1 concept required 3 X 750 ton centrifugal chillers, electrically powered with variable frequency drives (VFD’s) and incorporating N+1 redundancy. The chilled water distribution system was based on a primary and secondary concept with a ring main for increased redundancy, which allowed for back feeding in the event of hardware failure. All pumps have VFD’s for slow start and energy efficiency. Transformers were used to step down from 600V to 460V to further increase reliability on the VFD’s. The condenser water system was based on induced draft with counter flow cooling towers with VFD’s on the fans and utilizing tower free cooling for energy efficiency.

The design of the cooling system provided for Phase 2 expansion and the ability to implement an additional 2250 tons of cooling through 3 X 750 ton chillers, with improved redundancy to (N+2). The mechanical piping and ventilation design was carried out using Bentleys Autoplant 3D software to ensure functionality of the equipment and piping layout design. The 3D modeling was used successfully by the Constructor and integrated into their BIM (Building Information Modeling) program.

Electrical Design

The electrical engineering design provided for a 50,000 ft2 raised floor computer area serviced by redundant feeds from the existing 27.6kV distribution to redundant 600V distribution systems. Four 2 MW parallel synchronized diesel generators with capacity to increase to six; two systems of four redundant 750 kVA UPS modules; and state-of-the-art life safety, alarm monitoring, and security systems.

Subsequent upgrades to the facility included installation of two 3000A Static switches to the two parallel redundant 750kVA UPS systems, configured to not only permit seamless transfer of critical loads between utility and emergency power in the event one UPS system fails, but also to permit seamless transfer to the surviving UPS system. HH Angus functioned as Prime Consultant and Electrical Engineer for a series of reports, studies, distribution upgrades and raised floor expansions at the site.

The Data Centre’s diesel generator system included three buried storage tanks, each with a capacity of 75,000 litres, a generator ventilation system and diesel exhaust for four 2MW generators.

ICT Scope

Our communications group was involved with multiple communications projects for the expansion, starting from the structured cabling system, DAS –Distributed Antenna System, and building systems LAN/WLAN design. We provided a detail compliance analysis of the new proposed sites with references to the TIA 942 Data Centre standard.

As a part of the DAS, we provided an unbiased, independent assessment of the current data centre cabling infrastructure performance, as well as design recommendations and specifications to eliminate both scheduled and unscheduled downtime. The assessment included a comprehensive computer room site inspection, determination of the full scope of the telecommunications needs, design of a suitable structured cabling system, and the creation of written reports, prints and specification documents.