The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Technical Committee (TC) 9.9 has published 10 guidelines covering a wide range of data center design and operational issues. These ASHRAE works are also referenced in the TIA-942 data center standard.

We provide an introduction of critical infrastructure system (E&M) that supports typical data centers and prepare individual to fully understand the main components that facilitate data centre design & build by exploring the standards of TIA-942 and Up-time Tier levels.

Furthermore, we introduce key challenges and consider different criteria, from design, testing, commissioning, sustainability and efficiency, of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system in a data center. All sections are designed for data center operators, engineers and E&M professionals to enrich their relevant knowledge in data center facilities and HVAC design.

1) Datacom Equipment Power Trends and Cooling Applications

- load trends and their application

- air cooling of computer equipment

- liquid cooling of computer equipment

2) Design Consideration

- design criteria

- HVAC load

- computer room cooling

- air distribution

- liquid cooling

- availability and redundancy

- integration with other MEP system

- controls - computer fluid dynamics

3) Testing and Commissioning

- air cleanliness test

- heat load test

- factory acceptance test

- site acceptance test

- integrated performance test (IST)

4) Sustainable Design

- combined heat power plant (CHP)

- solar cooling

- geothermal cooling

- evaporative cooling

- air side economizers

- desiccant unit

5) Energy Efficiency

- power usage effectiveness

- chilled water plant optimization

- water side and air side equipment

- part load operation

- controls and energy management

- LEED certified data center

- building energy code