Strategic design, site selection, and construction

1.) Strategic design, site selection, and construction

Building durability from the ground up

Data center resilience starts with site selection, design, and construction. Decisions made early in a data center’s lifecycle set the stage for long-term protection.

Here’s what to consider:

• Data center sites must be chosen and planned strategically. Consider an adequate supply of power and water, public services and transportation corridors, and other facilities in the area competing for critical resources.
• Ensure the site layout provides enough space between buildings and fuel, batteries, and power supplies to mitigate external fire risks and prevent cascading fire events across the campus.
• Choose a location with minimal exposure to natural catastrophes like hurricanes, floods, or convective storms. When these are unavoidable, facilities should be designed to be physically resistant to these and other hazards like earthquakes, wildfires, or freezing temperatures.
• Behind-the-meter (BTM) connected power generation systems must be properly sized, thoughtfully designed, expertly operated, and rigorously maintained.
• Limit fire and non-thermal damage through compartmentation and control systems supported by fire-rated construction. Especially consider reinforced concrete or a protected steel frame, and FM-approved construction materials.
• Design critical systems so that teams can maintain and replace equipment throughout the lifecycle without compromising operations. Contingency plans should be supported by critical spares and fully documented maintenance procedures.