Data center standards

One of the design considerations that caught my attention was the development of hot zones within the data center. In concert with the equipment manufacturers this new design creates hot and cold zones for equipment racks. Understanding that equipment pulls cool air from the front and discharges hot air to the back, new rack placement layouts call for cold aisles (the front of one piece of equipment facing the front of another piece of equipment) and hot aisles where the backs of the equipment share a like aisle. This keeps any one piece of equipment from drawing the heated air of another.

Another key consideration is the call for all horizontal cables to be run in sufficient number to account for growth such that the horizontal cables should not have to be "touched" again after the initial installation. This can be a bit tricky in planning. However with pathways under raised floors, overhead cable trays and cabling within the racks, revisiting these areas has the potential to knock down services for equipment that is running on the existing cable. It is generally less expensive to run all of the cables at once than it is to coordinate moves, adds and changes (MACs) at a later time. The standard recommends a minimum of two outlets at each work area, and of c

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ourse, these have to be terminated within the equipment distribution areas. Additional cables for devices such as wireless access points, IP video cameras and building automation systems should also be planned and terminated.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is also involved in data centers standards and authors three standards that impact data center design. The first, and most widely known is the NEC or National Electrical Code. The NEC addresses fire and safety issues. This includes things such as plenum areas, fire, life and safety systems, etc. Two other parts of the NEC that are applicable include NFPA13, NFPA90A. NFPA 13 governs the installation of sprinkler systems and states that if there are combustibles within the plenum space (any space with return air) that not only does the room need to be sprinkled, but the plenum area likewise must be sprinkled. Installation of air conditioning and ventilation systems falls under NFPA 90A. [TABLE]