practical considerations for implementing prefabricated data centers

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.


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


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


• 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


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


Site Preparation Considerations

Site prep work is simplified

• Permits obtained• Pipes and circuits laidPipes and circuits laid• Land/building readied for system• Site inspection



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



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



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



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


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



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



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



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


Site Installation Considerations

Well-designed modules = faster, simpler installation

• Module location

• How to handle and place modules

• How to secure modules



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


• poor drainage areas


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



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


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


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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Prefabricated vs. Traditional Data Center Cost CalculatorPrefabricated vs. Traditional Data Center Cost CalculatorTradeOff Tool 17

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practical considerations for implementing prefabricated data centers

Technology

regional data center

data center managershould

atraditional data center

design site prep

improvements modules

inspection inspection

site assets

general housekeeping