A CRITICAL ERROR IS OFTEN MADE IN THE DESIGN PROCESS FOR DATA CENTRE BUILDS – THAT BEING THAT THE FLUE IS OFTEN LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE PROJECT .
THE EDGE he need for more data centres could not be more
T apparent . From 2015 to 2021 , data centre workloads increased by 260 % – a trend that will almost certainly continue , if not increase further . This increase in workloads is driving demand for new data centres in key markets across the world , with over 25 million square feet of new data centre capacity coming online in 2022 .
But , even with increased development in the sector , this may not be enough . According to Savills , planned data centre development across Europe needs to
A CRITICAL ERROR IS OFTEN MADE IN THE DESIGN PROCESS FOR DATA CENTRE BUILDS – THAT BEING THAT THE FLUE IS OFTEN LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE PROJECT .
more than double by 2025 to keep pace with new users , restating the need for effective project management with minimal delays . However , many are encouraging delays by ignoring a vital part of the build – the flue .
The flue has a simple role but one that is vital to reducing downtime for a data centre . Flue ’ s help expel gases and hot air from a generator ’ s combustion chamber to the open air outside . This may sound simple , but if they were to fail there is a high chance that the on-site power would overheat and fail . This leads to extended downtime , which is incredibly costly for a data centre . Research has shown the cost incurred by major data centre outages continues to rise , with some estimates placing the figure at £ 4,500 per minute , although this is based on data from 2019 so it is safe to predict that the figure has risen substantially since then .
Additionally , Tier IV classification can only be achieved when a facility can prove a sufficient level of fault tolerance . Having a developed flue system is a crucial part of demonstrating that concept , with the flue allowing backup generators to run smoothly in the event of a mains outage . Flues are a vital part of a successful data centre , which is why making them an important part of the planning process is key to avoiding potential problems down the line .
It ’ s all about timing . If the incorrect product is specified or installed at the wrong point , it will likely cause a chain reaction effect of issues . Having to deal with these problems can potentially push back commissioning and therefore could lead to more setbacks including a late handover to the owner or operator . This could damage the reputation of businesses in the sector that often win work purely based on reputation alone .
Guidance is key
A critical error is often made in the design process for data centre builds – that being that the flue is often left until the end of the project . This can be costly for a data centre down the line . This is why Schiedel is highlighting the importance of incorporating it into the building ’ s ‘ critical path ’. If companies www . intelligentdatacentres . com
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