Data Centres and Renewable Energy Project
Layout of data centre facility
Although the data centre container is the heart of the operation, the facility must cater for other requirements as well. The sketch below illustrates the scale of facilities that our small, containerised data centre will need. In fact these facilities could accommodate three or four containers.
Security and safety
- A clear strip 20-30m beyond the working area is required for visibility (1)
- A high security anti-intruder fence must be placed round the perimeter (1)
- Enough hard standing to allow access and turning for large trucks delivering containers (1)
- A 300mm deep concrete slab required for a stable foundation (1)
People
- The permanent staff need office facilities, washrooms, kitchen area (1)
- Some space for visitors/temporary staff and a security booth also required (2)
- Storage for spare parts, and a working area for maintenance should be included (2)
- Allow around 12.5m2 of floor area per person (3)
- The office building should conform to planning standards, and should be the most visible part of the facility from the road (1)
References used in this page:
(1) Brian Willshire, Summers Inman Construction & Property Consultants: personal communication
(2) Cambridge Data Centre website:http://www.eleandata.com/ accessed 10 February 2010
(3) PriceWaterhouse Coopers Benchmarking Study on Iceland as a Location for Data Centre Activity, May 2007