How To Build A Machine Room

© 2006   Timothy L. Thomas   HPC@UNM



                                            OUTLINE

                                            STARTING POINT
                                            PROCESS SUMMARY
                                            DESIGN TIPS
                                            EXECUTION TIPS
                                            BUDGET ISSUES

                                  Selected Photos   (35 from ~1500)



                                            STARTING POINT

  1.   How dense?   How many watts per square foot ?
  2.   What is your desired reliability level?
  3.   Related: how far will your people be from your machine room?
  4.   What is your desired / required level of physical security?

                                            PROCESS SUMMARY

  5.   The steps, roughly:

                                            DESIGN TIPS

  6.   Consider separate spaces for:
  7.   Consider interaction of storage spaces, loading dock, access doors, on-floor "roads", etc.

  8.   Don't be afraid of paper dolls !

  9.   Make sure the A&E firm has machine room design experience!

  10.   It is wise to hire an (independent) Machine Room Planner...
  11.   It is important to watch your vocabulary:
  12.   To lock in the A&E and "Specialty Construction" sub-contractors that you want, specify in the spec to the G.C. that a REQUIREMENT is to have the interior of the space built by so-and-so because you need a "Class A Data Center" Specialty Contractor

  13.   Do not forget to satisfy all relevant electrical and fire codes!

  14.   Fire suppression and insurance:
  15.   It is simpler if the machine room can be defined as an unoccupied space

  16.   Get the A&E people to spell out clearly their vision of your options for
    interlocked systems logic:
  17.   Plan to keep the under-floor neat and organized, for air flow

  18.   TileFlow is a very useful, if rather expensive tool
  19.   Good grounding (of floor, roof A/C units, etc.) is an issue

  20.   Alignment of floor and ceiling grids is an issue

  21.   What happens at the edges of the room is important

  22.   Glass is not that expensive...
  23.   When the planner or A&E folks ask for information, provide it PROMPTLY



                                            EXECUTION TIPS

  24.   Make sure the construction G.C. and sub-contractors have
    machine room construction experience 
    ...unless you are of a mind to grow your own local expertise

Do the A&E and construction people understand the relevant
obscure corners of the local and state electrical codes? 
    ...or are they arguing among themselves about power cables under the floor...?
  25.   If you find you are often leveraging the Planner against the G.C., worry!

  26.   Do not let the G.C. get away without a pre-construction meeting 
    ...and that means pre-demolition, if applicable
  27.   Do not let the G.C. get away without first showing you an initial Gant Chart

  28.   Do not let the G.C. get away without periodic construction status meetings 
    Make it clear that you expect the G.C. to provide updated Gant Charts periodically
  29.   A blueprint is not a solid, detailed plan - it is a common point of
    discussion and understanding

  30.   Blueprints can (and are) misread!

  31.   There are several stages of blueprints:
  32.   Beware: the order in which subcontractors do things is mysterious...

  33.   Beware that there is a LOT of improv during the construction phase
  34.   There should be a foreman from the G.C. on the job at all times

  35.   Some "external agent" (outside the G.C.) should verify coordination, initially

  36.   The "external agent" should, too, keep on top of things - to catch big mistakes 
    ...such as diffusers for the hot isle located four feet off spec
  37.   Beware that there is a LOT of negotiating on-the-fly during all phases

  38.   G.C.s are very sophisticated negotiators...
  39.   Things considered "extras" can be amazing: in NM, labeling circuits and breakers...

  40.   The floor under tape archive units MUST be very level

  41.   Do not turn on A/C units until the room is thoroughly cleaned,
    preferrably by a specialty firm

  42.   Do not "initialize" the A/C system until full electrical power is available

  43.   Do not move into the room until the A/C has been running for a month

  44.   Do not move into the room before you own it!

  45.   Do not purchase machines needing the room before you have the room!



                                            BUDGET ISSUES

  46.   Try to understand where you live on the good-cheap-fast triangle!

  47.   Beware up front:   Flexibility is EXPENSIVE ...

  48.   Do not get unreasonably low cost estimates!   Our experience...
  49.   Don't forget operational costs:
  50.   Moral of the story:   DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME !