Practical Considerations for Implementing Prefabricated D t C tData CentersSchneider ElectricSchneider Electric Data Center Science Center White Paper 166
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Implementing prefabricated modular data centers results in well-understood benefits including speed of deployment, predictability, scalability, and lifecycle cost. The process of deploying them –from designing the data center, to preparing the site, to procuring the equipment to installation is quite different than that of athe equipment, to installation – is quite different than that of a traditional data center. This paper presents practical considerations, guidance, and results that a data center manager should expect from such a deploymentshould expect from such a deployment.
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Introduction
Understand practical considerations of deploying prefabricated mod lar data centersprefabricated modular data centers
Considerations• Project plan and design• Project plan and design• Site prep• How equipment is procured• How equipment is installed and commissioned
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Prefab vs. Traditional Data Centers
Deployment process Prefabricated data center deployment Traditional data center deployment
• Engineering and specification performed at • Engineering and specification performed at
Plan / Designsystem level
• Less than 12 weeks for planning/design
component level
• Generally 24 (or more) weeks for planning/design
• Value of UL Listed or other agency listed modules omitted from permitting costs
• Permitting costs include value of all systems
• Permitting documentation requires detailed
Site preparation
• Permitting documentation focus on interconnections of modules
• Inspection of field-work only, not of subsystems within modules
• Options of indoor or outdoor placement
Permitting documentation requires detailed drawings at subsystem level
• Inspection of all field work, including traditional subsystem interconnections
• Systems placed indoors except heat rejection and generatorOptions of indoor or outdoor placement
• Modules generally placed directly over underground wiring/piping
and generator
• Wiring/piping to building may require support hardware or special structures
Procurement
• Modules generally designed to meet transportation weight limits, arrive near fully assembled
• Products arrive in different shipments, by different vendors
assembled
• Construction trash is minimal• Construction trash is significant
Installation
• Climate and outdoor conditions / landscape impact placement / orientation when installed outdoors
• Only outdoor cooling system and generator must consider outdoor conditions / landscape
• Installed by forklifts and by hand, as separate
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
• Typically installed by truck crane products
Planning & Design Considerations
Classification as “personal property”
Prefab modules classified as “personal property” rather than “site” or “building improvements”
• Modules booked and depreciated separate from building• May be leased independent of other site assets• May be moved from one regional data center to another while y g
maintaining its prior depreciation and value
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Planning & Design Considerations
System-level design engineering
• Uses a system-level design approach rather than designing from partsg g p
• No need for architectural decisions
• Reduces time spent understanding• Reduces time spent understanding requirements and developing design
• All components and controls implemented and tested in factory as a complete system
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Site Preparation Considerations
Site prep work is simplified
• Permits obtained• Pipes and circuits laidPipes and circuits laid• Land/building readied for system• Site inspection
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Site Preparation Considerations
Permits and inspection
• Reduced time to develop construction drawings and permit setsp
• More efficient review and inspection• Inspection focused on field-constructed aspects of
prefab data centers onlyprefab data centers only• Permitting costs don’t include value of facility
module
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Site Preparation Considerations
Locating modules indoors vs. outdoors
• Weather-tight modules designed for outdoor use• Saves money – outdoor square footage less expensiveSaves money outdoor square footage less expensive• Must be near utilities, i.e., electricity, water, etc.• Consider ease of installation, servicing and general housekeeping
M d l i t ll d i d if• Modules installed indoors if:• module is skid-mounted• module enclosure is not weather rated• need/desire to protect personnel from inclement
weather during operation and maintenance activities• require added security of critical systems
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Site Preparation Considerations
Foundations for modules
• Continuous concrete slab• most commonmost common
• Multiple independent concrete slabs• frequently used where surface waterfrequently used where surface water
drainage is an issue
• Piers or concrete columns• module is skid-mounted
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Site Preparation Considerations
Underground wire and piping interconnections
• Data center module power less complex, less expensive if run undergroundp g
• Requires fewer support structures• Can use less expensive materials
• Power facility module can be dropped over pre-Power facility module can be dropped over preinstalled underground electrical conduits
• Simplifies weather sealing and conductor terminations
• Cooling modules located adjacent to emergence of underground chilled water piping
• Simplifies or eliminates need for support hardware
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
p ppor special structures
Procurement Considerations
Simpler, faster than traditional data center
• Modules purchased from single vendor as single system or set of systemsy
• Delivery challenges avoided• Transportation regulations taken into account by prefab integrators
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Procurement Considerations
Transportation
• Modules transported by truck• regulations governing weights andregulations governing weights and
dimensions vary by state, country• ISO containers a common form factor• Module transport often contracted outModule transport often contracted out• Protective measures taken prior to
shipment• examples – doors secured loose• examples – doors secured, loose
items tied down
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Procurement Considerations
Packaging
• Minimal packaging• reduces time and cost of packaging disposal
• Exception -- UPS• batteries removed, packaged and restrained for safe transport
Traditional Prefabricated
Comparison of ptrash volume
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Procurement Considerations
Protection from the elements
• Modules not fully enclosed or weather tight must be sealed for transporttight must be sealed for transport
• Common approaches• hard exterior
heavy duty shrink wrap• heavy duty shrink wrap
• Packaged modules arrive in cleaner condition
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Site Installation Considerations
Well-designed modules = faster, simpler installation
• Module location
• How to handle and place modules
• How to secure modules
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Site Installation Considerations
Positioning and orientation
• Module placement outdoors significantly impacts• reliabilityreliability• efficiency• accessibility• maintainability Stacked modules save spacemaintainability
• Avoid• too much sun exposure• overhanging objects
Stacked modules save space
• overhanging objects• high traffic areas• obstructions• poor drainage areas
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
• poor drainage areas
Site Installation Considerations
Handling and placement
• Container handlers• Overhead cranesOverhead cranes• Mobile cranes
• most economical choice for installation• saves time and expense• saves time and expense
• To prevent damage• minimize contact between lifting straps and modules
l l th l d• level the load• use professional crane company
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Site Installation Considerations
Securing modules and seismic considerations
• Fix modules to location to withstand horizontal and vertical forces
• example -- wind• Address seismic requirements where they
existexist• concrete foundation• foundation to module connection
• Refer to seismic planning guides offered byRefer to seismic planning guides offered by data center manufacturers
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
Conclusion
● Prefab modules simplify data center planning● Compressed schedule from concept to completion● Unique aspects of prefab vs. traditional
● planning● planning● site preparation● packaging● delivery● delivery● handling● placement● securing module● securing module
Schneider Electric – Data Center Science Center WP 166 Presentation – July 2014
ResourcesAccounting and Tax Benefits of Modular, Portable Data Center InfrastructureWhite Paper 115
Data Center Projects: System PlanningWhite Paper 142White Paper 142
Containerized Power and Cooling Modules for Data CentersWhite Paper 163
Types of Prefabricated Modular Data CentersWhite Paper 165
TCO Analysis of a Traditional Data Center vs. a Scalable, Containerized Data CenterWhite Paper 164
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