THE DATA CENTER
University Campus, US
MECHANICAL OPTION
JONATHAN ALLES
BUILDING STATISTICS
Building Name The Data Center
Location University Campus
Building Occupant University
Building Type Mission Critical and Office
Building Information
Area 56,757 sq. ft.
Cost $56 Million
Stories 2 floors
Contract Type CM at Risk
Guaranteed Maximum Price
Dates of Construction 04/01/2015 - 08/31/2016
Design Team
Typical Roof:
Typical Wall:
Construction:
The Data Center total contract was $56 million as a CM at risk with a guaranteed maximum price. Its construction began in April of 2015 and ended at the end of August 2016. The primary spaces on the program are the white space, which contain the data racks, electrical rooms to support the white space, and offices.
Electrical:
The utility voltage coming into the building is 12.47 kV and then transformed into 480/ 277 V with two exterior transformers. The two main 4000A switchgear located on the first level transform the voltage into Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) at a 415/240 V for computer racks and 208/120 V for lighting and general loads. There are two 2000 KW diesel generators for emergency backup.
Lighting:
The building is illuminated using 100% LED high efficacy lighting system integrated with control occupancy sensor, time clock schedule and daylight harvesting in order to minimize energy consumption and enhance sustainability. Linear Pendant Direct/ Indirect LED fixture and recessed downlight provide the general illumination for both the office and conference rooms. The lighting fixtures are zoned into different groups in order provide flexibility and controls for occupants to select the adequate lighting mode based on the activity. In the computer labs where vertical illuminance is crucial, LED pendant fixtures mounted in between the computer racks provide diffuse direct ambient light to accommodate the light level required for a server room.
Level 1: Mechanical System Areas
Structural:
The superstructure of The Data Center consists of structural steel beams, girders and columns. Floors are comprised of 2” 20 GA. composite metal deck with 4” lightweight concrete topping supported by wide flange beams. Roof framing consists 1 ½” GA. type B roof deck. The typical bay is 20’x43’ with W24x68 beams and W124x76 girders. Two type of steel column are used in this building, which are W Shape and HSS columns. The foundation system of this building is a 3' thick mat slab. The lateral resisting system of this building is steel braced frames. A structural frame is located on the roof to support various mechanical equipment, such as the five roof top air conditioners.
Transportation:
An elevator in the plan north-east corner of the building. There is also a stairwell in the north-east corner and one in the south-east corner that goes up to the roof.
Architecture:
The design of this building consists of simple and clean features such as the white metal panel exterior and strip windows. There are screens around the roof and sides of the building to hide the extensive mechanical and electrical equipment. The façade also includes large storefront windows at the entrance. The zoning is classified as UPD 8.
Codes:
34 PA code chapters 401-405
2009 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE (BY REFERENCE, REQUIRES ALL ELECTRICAL WORK TO
COPMLY WITH NFPA 70-2008 NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE).
2009 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE
2009 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE
2009 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE
2009 INTERNATIONAL MECHANICAL CODE
2009 INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE
2009 INTERNATIONAL URBAN-WILDLAND INTERFACE CODE 2009
There are no historical requirements for The Data Center.
Building Enclosure:
Roofing: The roof uses metal deck for its structure. It is comprised of thermal underlayment protection board, modified bituminous membrane, 6” rigid insulation R30, overlayment board, and membrane roofing system.
Wall: The wall is cladded with the Centria br5-36 metal panel. 8” metal studs are the structure for the gypsum wall board interior finish and exterior sheathing, vapor barrier, 3” rigid insulation, hat channel, and the metal panels.
Centria metal panels:
http://www.centriaperformance.com/products/roof/exposed_fastener_metal_roofing_panels/products/br5-36.aspx
Sustainability Features:
To save energy this building utilizes hot and cold aisle which allows the supply of warmer air which save energy. There are also solar shades on the windows to reduce the cooling load. The project has achieved LEED Silver and is Energy Star Rated.
Mechanical:
There are multiple mechanical systems in The Data Center as the different spaces in the building required different techniques to efficiently meet the space loads. The Data Center’s racks in the white space are cooled with 5, 900 MBH roof top air conditioners (RTACs) , an air cooled chiller, and a dry cooler. The roof top air conditioners are indirect evaporatively cooled and have a DX coil for additional cooling, the entire system can run at 10 COP. Air from the RTACs are supplied to the gallery spaces and then under the floor to cold aisles. There are cold and hot aisle containment in the white space which allows the supply of 72 degree air to save energy. The 1800 MBH air cooled chiller and 1984 MBH dry cooler are both used to cool the hot aisle. In order to provide ventilation and maintain humidity in the white space there are two 4,500 CFM make up air units (MAUs).
There is an additional 130 MBH roof top air conditioner for mission critical spaces on the second floor that require operation in emergency situations. The office spaces on the first and second floor are served with a VAV system with hot water reheat and a 470 MBH air handling unit (AHU) located in the first floor mechanical room. There are two additional 487.7 MBH AHUs with DX coils that serve the VAV system with electric reheat for electrical and battery space on the first floor. There are also eight split system air conditioners (SSAC) that serve the telecom rooms on the first floor. In order to supply hot water to the different systems there are two 564 MBH natural gas boilers in the first floor mechanical room.
Level 2: Mechanical System Areas
Fire Protection:
The Data center is in Type II, B as defined by code. This requires all stair wells that are a means of egress to have a 2-hr rated enclosure. The insurance company required more extensive fire ratings throughout the building. All telecom rooms had 1-hr enclosures, electrical rooms had 2-hr enclosures, and the white space had a 1-hr enclosure. Sprinklers serve the entire building, however the more critical areas have a double interlock preaction system with an early warning smoke detection (EWSD) system. The white space, electrical, mechanical, battery, and telecom spaces are all served by the EWSD which is vacuum pipes run in the spaces to test for particulates in the air. The double interlock preaction system requires both the EWSD to have found enough particulates and the sprinkler head to break, in order for water to start flowing from the sprinklers.