Ideally, the best location in a building for a data center (a high reliability data center) is in a single-story, detached building with no functions (other than IT and tech support) in the facility.
Though often the data center is usually located in a multi-purpose facility for cost reasons. And more than likely the facility is also multi-story and multi-tenant.
So given these constraints where is the best location in a building for a data center?
Locating the data center on the first floor on grade has advantages. Freight elevators are not needed to move large power and cooling equipment or loaded IT racks in and out. Floor loading structural capacity is less of a concern as a ground floor concrete slab is typically much stronger than an upper floor office. However reliability risks are directly related to occupied floors above data centers.
Risks of data centers below upper floors are primarily water related. Rest rooms break rooms, fire sprinklers and HVAC piping will almost always be above the data center if office areas are above. Even if these flooding threats are not directly above the data center the threat remains. When pipes burst or sinks overflow the water tends to travel horizontally for quite a distance until gravity eventually pulls it downward. Sometimes the ducts and conduits required for cooling and power also provide the water pathway into the data center and onto critical equipment. Sure, in a single-story building you have roofing leaks and weather to deal with. But you can control that. Rooftops and penetrations are typically accessible and serviceable (pro-actively). And in a multi-story building there is still a roof at the top.
Going in the other direction, IT departments with insufficient political pull are sometimes relegated to a basem*nt or other subterranean space. Now you not only have water risks from floors above but you also need to worry about outside flooding, water main breaks, sewage backups, etc. Water tends to find its way to the basem*nts and areas below grade. And once the basem*nt is flooded gravity works against you again – you need to pump it up and out.
You want your data center on the top floor. You might not be competing for mahogany row but for the inner space (leave the windows for the execs). But you need to watch floor weight load capacity in upper floors. Typical office space designs of 75 lbs./sq. ft. are not adequate for data centers. 150 lbs./sq. ft. or stronger is the goal.
Cooling equipment should be located rooftop or adjacent to the data center on grade to minimize distances air and water need to be moved. And rooftop equipment such as air handlers (certainly large chillers) may require a beefed up roof structure. Obviously the best time to get the right structural capacity in a building that will include a data center is during initial building design. However retrofitting is feasible, especially if the space and floor below can be vacated during the work.
If you need assistance with data center site selection, developing upgrade recommendations, and/or assessing risks, PlanNet can help create a plan that works for your business.
FAQs
Locating the data center on the first floor on grade has advantages. Freight elevators are not needed to move large power and cooling equipment or loaded IT racks in and out. Floor loading structural capacity is less of a concern as a ground floor concrete slab is typically much stronger than an upper floor office.
What is the ideal location for a data center? ›
Security and safety are typically the highest priority in data center site selection: Avoid high-risk areas, such as aircraft glide paths, but also proximity to major highways (risk of fuel truck accidents.) Choose a site that has easy access for emergency responders.
Does location matter for data centers? ›
The Importance of Data Center Location
The physical location of your server's data center can affect your website's speed and latency. If your server is far away from its users, information and data will have to travel greater distances.
Where are data centers usually located? ›
U.S. data centers are primarily located in Northern Virginia, Dallas, Silicon Valley, Phoenix, Chicago, Atlanta, Portland, the New York/New Jersey area, Seattle, and Los Angeles.
What is the best floor for a data center? ›
High Pressure Laminate, or HPL, is the best choice for data center floor tiles. It provides a hard surface that's easy to clean. It minimizes static generation with great static reduction when it's laminated to a grounded metal surface.
Where to build a data center? ›
It should be in an area that isn't vulnerable to natural disasters and be structurally sound. The location should be chosen with internal staff and end-users in mind. Expertise inside the data center is just as important, if not more important, than the infrastructure.
What is the best state to build a data center in? ›
Northern Virginia
The region's excellent connectivity, competitive energy prices, and favorable tax incentives make it a prime location for US data centers. Due to its strategic positioning and infrastructure, it continues to be a top data center hot spot.
Where are most data centers being built? ›
Geographic Hotspots: While data centers are being built across the country, certain regions have emerged as hotspots, including Northern Virginia, which hosts the largest concentration of data centers globally. Other significant areas include Silicon Valley, Dallas, Chicago, and Phoenix.
What are the risks of data center location? ›
Location matters
Extreme weather events all over the world reinforce the need for data centre operators to carefully consider the location of their facilities, ensuring they are situated in areas with a stable infrastructure and robust protection against natural disasters.
Which of the following is most important while choosing a datacenter location? ›
Abundant, accessible and affordable power is the No. 1 consideration when deciding where to construct a data center. The facility needs to be close to a reliable power grid with ample redundancy and backup technology.
Virginia is the data center capital of the world, what's the controversy surrounding them? RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — With Google announcing a $1 billion investment to expand three data centers in northern Virginia, the Commonwealth continues to solidify itself as the data center capital of the world.
How many square feet is a data center? ›
Data centers come in a variety of shapes and sizes which can be located onsite or in a large facility offsite. The data center for a small business or school may only occupy a room that is a 500 square feet, while some of the largest data centers may occupy an entire building over 1 million square feet.
Why are data centers located in Virginia? ›
Virginia is known for its reliable power supply, robust network infrastructure, and favorable business environment. Why does Virginia have so many data centers? Access to the best connectivity in the world, low cost of power, and a favorable business environment are a few key drivers.
What is a good location for a data center? ›
Power availability and cost are crucial considerations for data centers. Companies should look for locations with stable power grids and access to renewable energy sources. Additionally, evaluating the cost of electricity in the area is important to ensure long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Why raised floors in data centers? ›
Raised floors offer a clear distribution path for cabling that doesn't require a ladder or special structural cable trays and ceilings. Overhead cabling requires accessing overhead sructures like ductwork and sprinkler heads, and this access and maintenance often requires many people and the use of a stepladder.
What is the most expensive part of a data center? ›
Cooling. Cooling is a crucial and often expensive part of data center operations. The heat generated by servers and other equipment must be efficiently dissipated to prevent hardware malfunctions and extend the lifespan of the equipment.
How to choose a datacenter region? ›
How To Choose a Data Center Location: 5 Key Considerations
- Power Cost, Reliability, and Availability. Data center power costs and sources are a major component of their overhead. ...
- Connectivity Options. Fast, reliable Internet connectivity is as important as power. ...
- Disaster Risks. ...
- Network Latency. ...
- Scalability.
Data center tenants generally need to build two buildings on a site to take advantage of efficiencies in utilities and security. This means a feasible site size is approximately 40 acres at a minimum, though some developers and tenants could be interested in much more.
What is the central location of a data set? ›
Definition. A measure of central tendency (also referred to as measures of centre or central location) is a summary measure that attempts to describe a whole set of data with a single value that represents the middle or centre of its distribution.
