MDF+punch+list

Time line of construction to cut over to the new MDF... A date was set to cut over to the new location (July 14th - ish 2011)

event that lead up to the cut over.. investgation of current utilities, (Voice / data/cable tv internetwork district owned fiber) and where they enter the building.

No activity in the data center should be allowed to significantly degrade the environment. Because of the dynamic nature of a data center, it is often necessary to implement projects to address its changing needs or mission. This may encompass moving walls to expand or reduce the size of the computer space, replacing older floors or ceilings, or upgrading environmental support equipment, among other things. It is essential that these actions, meant to improve the stability and operation of the data center, are not allowed to degrade conditions and threaten uptime. Precautions must be taken to control psychrometrics and air distribution, and to limit or contain contaminant production. Even though the actual activities are common, the environmental requirements of the computer room pose unique problems. **Normal cutting, drilling or demolition is unacceptable without proper precautions**

2.1 Designing the Room
Proper planning of the data center does not end with its conception and construction. The computer environment is constantly evolving to accommodate changes in technology and the business landscape. Tools that help adapt to these changing needs are essential in a modern data center. Just as it is important to monitor of environmental conditions, it is also important to keep updated working drawings of the computer areas.

2.1.1 Computer Aided Design (CAD) Drawings
A computerized drafting system is an investment in the future of the data center. This allows for the continued updating of the electrical, mechanical and computer systems. Updated drawings can be used in site evaluation and future planning, and various scenarios can be explored in detail. The availability of accurate, updated plans also facilitates projects involving outside contractors. The maintenance of updated, computerized prints is highly recommended.

2.1.2 Design Flexibility and Planned Redundancy
When designing the data center, it is important to include additional resources for redundancy. This may be in the form of available power, environmental support equipment or floor space. This redundancy allows for the flexibility necessary to accommodate changes and short-term growth associated with hardware upgrades. It also allows for uninterrupted operations during upgrades or replacements in hardware. New hardware can be run simultaneously with the hardware it is replacing, rather than swapping the two. Redundancy also allows security in the event of a failure. This is particularly true of the environmental support equipment. While most data centers are designed with at least a minimal amount of redundancy, this issue is often forgotten in future planning. Excess floor space or support systems that were designed for redundancy, are often used for growth, reducing the protection they once provided. It is important to carry through this important factor in the future planning of the room. The redundancy must be maintained, even as the demands of the data center grow. The amount of redundancy planned can be increased in the design phases to address this. This will provide room for growth while still providing the back-up needed. If this is not done, the support systems should be increased along with the hardware during the expansions. Failure to provide adequate redundancy can lead to logistical problems and may degrade the overall reliability of the computer operations.

2.1.3 Expansion Considerations and Preparations
Each evolution in hardware technology dramatically increases the computing or data storage capacity per square foot of the room. This is how most data centers have been able to survive for so long without continually expanding their physical dimensions. The evolution of the computer room is normally a continuous process of minor growth and changes within a larger cyclical pattern of more dramatic changes. Hardware will normally continue to grow in the room until it nears capacity, then changes will be made to regain some of this floor space through upgrades in technology. The computer room will then begin to encroach on this newly available space as demands on the computer room continue to increase, and the cycle will repeat. In some cases the changes in technology and the increased needs for computing or storage capacity will evolve at the same speed, in other instances, one will out-pace the other. When technology evolves more quickly than the needs of the business, the data center will normally develop open areas, devoid of hardware. These may remain for some time, and are often very attractive real estate to other areas of the business. It is important not to be too quick to down-size the data center areas, as properly designed hardware spaces are much more expensive to construct than typical office environments. All planning of expansions or reductions to the raised floor computer room areas must be considered in macro terms. It is often much more financially prudent to allow portions of a well-designed room to remain vacant than to try to reconstruct this from converted office space when the data center demands increase. If the needs of the business outpace the evolution of the technology, it may be necessary to increase the physical dimensions of the data center. This should also be done in conjunction with long-term planning. Moving to more space efficient technologies, when available, may prove to be more cost effective than expanding the physical dimensions of the computer room.

2.1.4 Room Layout and Planning
Whether a design-built room, or a renovated area, the computer room must be able to accommodate diverse hardware designs and requirements. The mission of a computer room rarely remains stable, and the hardware designs and configurations change as technology and the goals of the company evolve. While the future of a computer room can rarely be anticipated, it is essential that the hardware areas are planned in such a fashion as to allow for seamless adaptation to the changing needs. The main criteria driving the type of hardware in the room will be determined by the applications of the business. The following general guidelines should be used in planning the current layout of the Sun Microsystems hardware and support equipment, and to help in preparation for future changes.
 * Do not determine air conditioner placement based on convenience. Often air conditioners are placed around the perimeter of the room because of the convenience of piping, water detection and other issues. This is not normally the most effective placement for the units, except in some smaller rooms. The hardware heat-load of the room will change repeatedly over the life of the room, and it is important that the primary criteria in the determination of the air conditioner placement be its effectiveness in addressing the current planned load, and their adaptability to changes in configurations.
 * Consider the air-flow patterns of the hardware being installed. Does it draw supply air directly from the subfloor? Does it draw air from the ambient room above the floor surface? Is the air exhausted out the back or top of the cabinet? If the hardware is not in a cabinet, or if it is in an open rack system, what is the design of the individual components? Does air flow side-to-side, front-to back, front-to-top or bottom-to-top? Be sure that the units are not laid out in a fashion that exhausts air from one unit into the intake of the next.
 * Provide adequate aisle space to allow for unobstructed passage, and to allow for the replacement of cabinets within a string without interference to neighboring units. Strings of cabinets should be kept to manageable lengths so as to allow clear passage between aisles in the event of an emergency, or in order to respond to a problem with a unit. Long, unbroken strings necessitate a significant amount of time to move from one aisle to another, or even from the front of a unit to its back.
 * Design the operator traffic patterns to minimize the possibility of accidental contact with sensitive components. Avoid placing operations in a fashion that necessitates personnel traveling through a sensitive area, such as the main machine room, to a less sensitive area. For example, operators should not have to travel through the computer areas to get from the command center to the print room.
 * Position hardware in strings or rows that run perpendicular to the air handlers. This allows for an unobstructed return of heated air back to the air conditioners. Where possible, avoid air-flow patterns that necessitate the air traveling over tall hardware cabinets to return to the air conditioners.

2.1.5 Computer Room Access
Access to the computer rooms should be strictly regulated, and limited to only those personnel necessary for its operation. All personnel working within the data center should have at least a basic understanding of the sensitivities of the hardware so as to avoid activities that pose a direct risk to the hardware. Accidental contact with hardware buttons, cable connections, terminals or emergency response controls can all cause system interruptions of varying degrees. All points of access to the computer rooms and other sensitive areas should be controlled by checkpoints or coded card readers to restrict access to authorized personnel. Security personnel should also remotely monitor points of entry via camera.

2.2 Designing the Floor
The raised access floor system provides the flexibility in wiring, hardware location and air conditioning. The raised floor should be constructed of 24 inches x 24 inches (61 cm x 61 cm) panels interchangeable with perforated tiles for air distribution or custom cut tiles for cable or utility passage. This design isolates data lines, power cables and piping to provide a safe environment for operators and to protect hardware operations. In addition, the raised floor design provides a means for flexible and efficient air distribution to the hardware. While it is possible to accommodate a small number of hardware units in alternately designed rooms, it is highly recommended that large numbers of hardware cabinets are installed in a raised floor system.

2.2.1 Floor Height
There should ideally be 24 inches (61 cm) between the raised floor system and the structural deck. A minimum of 18 inches (46 cm) should be provided. Variations from this figure should be based on air conditioner design and anticipated subfloor congestion. Inadequate subfloor depth will lead to difficulties in systems reconfiguration over time, may make the removal of unused or obsolete cables difficult, and will likely obstruct airflow. Additional space may be advisable if subfloor obstructions are abundant.

2.2.2 General Support Grid Recommendations
A raised floor system utilizing bolted stringers is recommended to provide the maximum rigidity for dynamic loads as well as to enhance the signal reference grid. Snap-on stringers often come loose affecting the integrity of the floor structure. While some stringerless systems claim the same benefits as bolted stringer systems, a great deal of research should be done prior to choosing an alternative to the recommendation. In addition, stringerless systems may require additional supports where custom cable cutouts are made for air or cable transfer. In addition, bolted stringer systems allow for the removal of adjacent tiles without threat to the integrity of the floor.

2.2.3 General Tile Construction Recommendations
The floor tiles in the raised floor should be 24 inch x 24 inch (61 cm x 61 cm). The tile core may be constructed of compressed wood or concrete, or may be an open structural metal design. The entire tile should be constructed of, or encased in, galvanized or painted steel. Alternately, cast aluminum tiles may be used. The tiles should have a high-pressure laminate top surface. The floor surface must allow for proper dissipation of electrostatic charges. The floor tiles and grid systems should provide a safe path to ground through the tile surface, to the floor substructure and through the signal reference grid. The top surface of the floor covering to understructure resistance should be between a minimum of 1.5 x 105 ohms and a maximum of 2 x 1010 ohms (as per NFPA 56A Test Method). The panel structure (not surface laminate) to understructure resistance should be less than 10 ohms. Carpeted tiles should not be used in hardware areas. Carpeted tiles can harbor contaminants that are agitated every time the tile is walked on. In addition, these tiles are more easily damaged by the movement of hardware, or even when removed using specially designed tile lifters that incorporate spikes designed to catch the loops of the tiles. Carpeted tiles designed with static dissipative properties can become less effective in this regard as they wear over time. Carpeted tiles that are laid over an existing raised floor surface, are normally offset from the grid, and make it more difficult to access the subfloor. Carpeted tiles should only be used in command centers, or other that do not house sensitive hardware, and do not require frequent access to the subfloor void.

2.2.4 Floor Maintenance
The tile surface should be maintained to the manufacturer's specifications. The guidelines listed in [|Section 4.2.6, Cleaning Activity]" should be used. No waxes or insulative coatings should be used, as these can form a barrier that interferes with the static dissipative properties of the floor. It is also extremely important that the stringers and pedestal tops be kept clean, as a buildup of contaminants on these surfaces can potentially impact the functioning of the floor as well. Replace tiles as the surface becomes damaged, or as they become warped by heavy loads. A damaged surface or a tile that does not sit tightly in the grid can affect the ability of the tile to properly dissipate static charges, and could pose a safety hazard.

2.2.5 Cutouts and Other Tile Customizations
Tiles will need to be customized to accommodate the shape of the room, the air conditioners and the hardware. All tile modifications should be performed according to manufacturer recommendations. Additional structural support may be necessary where partial tiles are installed along walls, around columns or by air conditioners. The exposed cut edges of all cut-outs for cable or air passage should be capped with protective trim. Exposed metal edges can damage cabling, and the exposed cores of some tiles can shed particulate matter into the airstream.

2.2.6 General Load Rating Recommendations
The load capacity of the structural floor must be taken into account when designing the data center. Some areas designed for light duty, such as office, may be inadequate. A qualified structural engineer should be consulted in the evaluation of potential areas for the location of a new data center within an existing building. Enhanced support may be advisable in high traffic areas, or areas with heavier than normal loads. Enhanced support should also be considered for ramps and the raised floor areas immediately above them. The raised floor load rating will vary depending on the design and use of the room. In most cases, a floor designed for a concentrated load imposed by stationary furniture and equipment of 1000 Lbs (454 kg) with a maximum deflection 0.080 inch (0.2 cm) from any point on panel top should be sufficient. Rooms or areas with high levels of motorized traffic or heavy rolling loads should consider a higher rated tile.

2.2.7 Fire Rating
The raised floor system should be in compliance with the specifications laid out in the National Fire Protection Associations Document, NFPA 75: Protection of Electronic/Data Processing Equipment within the USA, or relevant National standards outside of the USA.

2.2.8 Supplemental Bracing
While the practice should be avoided when possible, it is sometimes necessary to locate data centers in seismically active zones. Seismic bracing for the raised floor system can normally be obtained from the floor manufacturer. As a general practice, heavier components should be installed lower on the racks to avoid top-heavy equipment.

2.3 Building the Room
No activity in the data center should be allowed to significantly degrade the environment. Because of the dynamic nature of a data center, it is often necessary to implement projects to address its changing needs or mission. This may encompass moving walls to expand or reduce the size of the computer space, replacing older floors or ceilings, or upgrading environmental support equipment, among other things. It is essential that these actions, meant to improve the stability and operation of the data center, are not allowed to degrade conditions and threaten uptime. Precautions must be taken to control psychrometrics and air distribution, and to limit or contain contaminant production. Even though the actual activities are common, the environmental requirements of the computer room pose unique problems. Normal cutting, drilling or demolition is unacceptable without proper precautions.

2.3.1 Building Preparation
Whether the data center is located in a new or existing structure, the building must be properly prepared to receive the hardware prior to its installation. Construction projects are expensive, and the construction of controlled data center areas is more expensive than most. There is always a great deal of pressure to meet deadlines and keep within costs, but it is extremely important that this is not achieved by cutting corners and settling for inferior workmanship. A data center requires more precise control over temperature, relative humidity, airflow, and contaminants than does a typical office environment. If the specific needs of this environment are to be met, they must be addressed throughout the design and construction of the room. Prior to installation of the hardware, the room should be inspected to identify any remaining exposures, and all surfaces in the room must be appropriately decontaminated. The final punch-list items should include specific tasks designed to bring the computer room environment within specific parameters. The following actions should be performed in the general order listed.
 * Perform a general construction decontamination of the room. A rough cleaning of the room should first be conducted to remove all major construction-related debris. Low-grade industrial vacuums can be used at this stage to remove heavy deposits. This stage of the cleaning would include those steps typical to any construction project, and is aimed primarily at appearance.
 * The vapor barrier of the room should be checked. Any breaches that could allow significant moisture migration should be noted and fixed. In the subfloor void, these can include perimeter penetrations around pipe or conduit passages, cracks in the deck or perimeter walls, expansion joints or open ducts or walls that connect the subfloor void to the ceiling void or to other floors. In the above floor space, these can include holes or cracks in the perimeter walls, gaps around pipe or duct penetrations, interior or exterior windows, access windows or perimeter mail slots, gaps around doors or light fixtures with designed air vents. Above the drop ceiling, breaches can include gaps around pipes, ducts or conduit. Gaps around structural beams or between perimeter walls and corrugated roofing materials, open ceiling voids to other areas, gaps around access doors to the roof or other floors or roof vents.
 * Load test the generators, UPS and other power infrastructure components. Perform functionality tests to ensure the data center is ready to accommodate on-line computer operations.
 * Perform a final inspection on the environmental support equipment. Check for proper installation and functioning of all equipment. Put the air conditioners and humidifiers through their cycles by adjusting their set points to force them into stages of cooling, heating, humidifying, dehumidifying, etc. By this stage, chillers, UPS, generators and all other similar support units should have been tested. Make any necessary adjustments.
 * Prior to the installation of the hardware, but during and after the construction cleaning, the air conditioners should be run continuously to filter the room air. These units need not be cooling, as the primary purpose of this action is particulate arrestance. Ideally 60% efficiency filters will be used at this point. These filters will be replaced prior to hardware installation, as they will likely become inundated with particles that can be re-dispersed by the subfloor pressure forcing air through a unit in a reverse pattern should one of the air conditioners be turned off.
 * After the construction cleaning, it is essential that a thorough decontamination of the room surfaces be conducted to remove any residual particulate in final preparation for the installation of the hardware. Low-grade vacuum equipment, such as that used during the construction phases of the project, lacks the filtration necessary to arrest most particulate. Vacuums equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filtration must be used at this stage. In addition, special equipment and procedures should be employed, as outlined in the later sections of this report.
 * Prior to the hardware installation, the room should be stabilized within the goal specifications established within this document. It may be difficult to achieve precise balancing and appropriate environmental support equipment cycling in the controlled space until the designed heatload is installed, but conditions should be made as balanced and appropriate as possible prior to installation. Temperatures, relative humidity levels, subfloor pressurization, room pressurization and airborne particulate levels should all be checked.

2.3.2 Building Materials Selection
All building materials should be chosen with an aim towards cleanliness and moisture retention. Materials should be chosen or treated to avoid shedding or deterioration that might be tolerable in more loosely controlled environments. Particular attention should be paid to areas in the direct airflow patterns of the room, and materials that require repeated movement or disturbance in the normal occupation of the room. Ceiling tiles should have a vinyl or foil face that will provide a moisture barrier, and will help protect the tiles from shedding as they are moved. All supply plenum surfaces should be constructed of appropriately treated materials, such as encapsulated concrete or galvanized or painted metals. Ideally, materials in keeping with the design of a class 100,000 cleanroom should be considered appropriate. Panels and other necessary items should be pre-cut and drilled outside the room to minimize the activity necessary within the room. This may add time and effort, but will help limit contaminant production within the room. Not all activity can be performed outside the room, so it is also important that efforts are made to contain or arrest contaminants produced by activities performed within the controlled space. Plastic sheeting can be used to isolate work areas from other areas of the room. Portable filter systems can be rented or purchased to help arrest particulate in the air (it should be noted that these are normally only effective in localized areas). Vacuum units equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration should be used to address any contamination produced by drilling or sawing as soon as it is produced. In addition, it is extremely important that the temperature, relative humidity and air distribution conditions are taken into account, and that these conditions are not significantly degraded. Doors to the data center must not be left open, it may be necessary to design a temporary personnel trap to limit exposure caused by increased traffic through the controlled spaces. Similar isolation may be necessary if changes to the room perimeter produce exposures. The job progression should be planned in such a manner so as to limit exposures. Care should be taken when removing floor tiles to ensure that the subfloor pressure levels remain adequate for proper air distribution. It is also important that any activity that involves the environmental support equipment be carried out without affecting the ability of the units to address the conditioning and humidification needs of the subject areas. Proper implementation of construction and renovation projects in an on-line data center require additional time, planning and expense, but these precautions are essential if the uninterrupted operation of the data center is a priority. Ignoring these issues can lead to catastrophic failures, or long-term performance problems. Environmental Contaminants Control over contaminant levels in a computer room is an extremely important consideration when evaluating an environment. The impact of contamination on sensitive electronic hardware is well recognized, but the most harmful contaminants are often overlooked because they are so small. Most particles smaller than 10 microns are not visible to the naked eye under most conditions; yet, it is these particles that are most likely to migrate to areas where they can do damage. The following Sections describes these issues and presents recommendations and guidelines.

4.1 Recommended Air Quality Levels
Particles, gasses and other contaminants may impact the sustained operations of computer hardware. Effects can range from intermittent interference to actual component failures. The computer room should be designed to achieve a high level of cleanliness. Airborne dusts, gasses and vapors should be maintained within defined limits to help minimize their potential impact on the hardware. Airborne particulate levels should be maintained within the limits of //Federal Standard 209E, Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Classes in Cleanrooms and Clean Zones, Class 100,000//. This standard defines air quality classes for clean zones based on airborne particulate concentrations. While this standard defines the limits of various classes, and the methods for testing and analysis, it does not define the nature of the particulate. The least stringent of these, Class 100,000, is generally accepted as an appropriate measure of data center environments. The lower class limits designate conditions for clean room classification generally associated with research and development, manufacturing and other specialized applications. Although FED-STD-209E is a widely accepted computer room standard, it does not include some of the most harmful dust sizes: 0.3 microns and smaller. These particles are harmful to most data processing hardware because they have the tendency to exist in large numbers and can easily circumvent many sensitive components' internal air filtration systems. Like other particles, they have the ability to agglomerate into large masses or absorb corrosive agents under certain psychrometric conditions. When computer hardware is exposed to these submicronic particles in great numbers they endanger system reliability by posing a threat to moving parts, sensitive contacts and component corrosion. Concentrations of ultrafine particles must be considered when evaluating a controlled environment. Excessive concentrations of certain gasses can accelerate corrosion and cause failure in electronic components. Gaseous contaminants are a particular concern in a computer room both because of the sensitivity of the hardware, and because a proper computer room environment is almost entirely recirculating. Any contaminant threat in the room is compounded by the cyclical nature of the airflow patterns. Levels of exposure that might not be concerning in a well ventilated site repeatedly attack the hardware in a room with recirculating air. The isolation that prevents exposure of the computer room environment to outside influences can also multiply any detrimental influences left unaddressed in the room. Gasses that are particularly dangerous to electronic components include chlorine compounds, ammonia and its derivatives, oxides of sulfur and petrol hydrocarbons. The sources and effects of these and other gasses are included in the "Contaminant Properties and Sources" section of this manual. In the absence of appropriate hardware exposure limits, health exposure limits should be used. The following chart outlines limits for various gasses that could pose a threat to hardware. These limits should not be used as absolute limits, as numerous other factors, such as the moisture content of the air, can influence environmental corrosivity and gaseous contaminant transfer at lower levels. Concentrations exceeding these levels should, however, be considered concerning.  TABLE 4-1 Gas Limit Recommendations||~ Chemical Name ppm: Parts Per Million g/m3: Micrograms Per Cubic Meter (c): ceiling ||
 * ~ Formula ||~ ASHRAE ||~ OSHA (PEL) ||~ ACGIH ||~ NIOSH ||
 * Acetic Acid || CH3COOH || Not defined || 10 ppm || Not defined || Not defined ||
 * Ammonia || NH || 3 500 [[image:http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19065-01/servers.e25k/805-5863-13/shared/chars/micro.gif caption="mu symbol"]] g/m3 || 3 50 ppm || 25 ppm || Not defined ||
 * Chlorine || Cl || 2 100 [[image:http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19065-01/servers.e25k/805-5863-13/shared/chars/micro.gif caption="mu symbol"]] g/m3 || 3 1 ppm (c) || Not defined || 0.5 ppm (c) ||
 * Hydrogen Chloride || HCl || Not defined || 5 ppm (c) || Not defined || Not defined ||
 * Hydrogen Sulfide || H2S || 50 [[image:http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19065-01/servers.e25k/805-5863-13/shared/chars/micro.gif caption="mu symbol"]] g/m3 || 3 20 ppm (c) || 10 ppm || 10 ppm ||
 * Ozone || O3 || 235 [[image:http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19065-01/servers.e25k/805-5863-13/shared/chars/micro.gif caption="mu symbol"]] g/m3 || 3 0.1 ppm || Not defined || Not defined ||
 * Petrol-hydrocarbons || CnHn || Not defined || 500 ppm || 75 ppm || 300 ppm ||
 * Sulfur Dioxide || SO2 || 80 [[image:http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19065-01/servers.e25k/805-5863-13/shared/chars/micro.gif caption="mu symbol"]] g/m3 || 3 5 ppm || 2 ppm || 0.5 ppm (c) ||
 * Sulfuric Acid || H2SO4 || Not defined || 1 ppm || Not defined || 1 ppm (c) ||
 * PEL: Permissible Exposure Limit

4.2 Contaminant Properties and Sources
Contaminants in the room can take many forms, and can come from numerous sources. The processes by which particles with the properties that make them dangerous to sensitive hardware are produced and the means by which they make their way to areas where they can do damage vary. Any mechanical process in the room can produce dangerous contaminants or agitate settled contaminants. The sources of contamination are as diverse as the contaminants themselves. A particle must meet two basic criteria to be considered a contaminant. First, it must have the physical properties that could potentially cause damage to the hardware. Second, it must be able to migrate to areas where it can cause the physical damage. The difference between a potential contaminant and an actual contaminant is time and location. It is only necessary for one potential contaminant to be instigated to active status for a failure to occur. If all hardware units with a specified design life are designed to endure a given number of potential contaminants before one becomes active and interferes with the functioning of the components, then it stands to reason that a decrease in the potential contaminants in the operating environment will lower the possibility of a potential contaminant moving to an area where it can do damage. Thus, a reduction of potential contaminants will decrease the possibility of contaminant-related failure and increase product life. Particulate matter is most likely to migrate to areas where it can do damage if it is airborne. For this reason, airborne particulate concentration is a useful measurement in determining the quality of the computer room environment. Depending on local conditions, particles as big as 1,000 microns can become airborne, but their active life is very short, and they are arrested by most filtration devices. Submicronic particulate is much more dangerous to sensitive computer hardware, because it remains airborne for a much longer period of time, and they are more apt to bypass filters.

4.2.1 Operator Activity
Human movement within the computer space is probably the single greatest source of contamination in an otherwise clean computer room. Normal movement can dislodge tissue fragments, such as dander or hair, or fabric fibers from clothing. The opening and closing of drawers or hardware panels or any metal-on-metal activity can produce metal filings. Simply walking across the floor can agitate settled contamination making it airborne and potentially dangerous.

4.2.2 Hardware Movement
Hardware installation or reconfiguration involves a great deal of subfloor activity, and settled contaminants can very easily be disturbed, forcing them to become airborne in the supply air stream to the room's hardware. This is particularly dangerous if the subfloor deck is unsealed. Unsealed concrete sheds fine dust particles into the airstream, and is susceptible to efflorescence -- mineral salts brought to the surface of the deck through evaporation or hydrostatic pressure.

4.2.3 Outside Air
Air introduced into the hardware space can be a source of contamination. Inadequately filtered air from outside the controlled environment can introduce innumerable contaminants. Post-filtration contamination in duct work can be dislodged by air flow, and introduced into the hardware environment. This is particularly important in a downward-flow air conditioning system in which the subfloor void is used as a supply air duct. If the structural deck is contaminated, or if the concrete slab is not sealed, fine particulate matter (such as concrete dust or efflorescence) can be carried directly to the room's hardware.

4.2.4 Stored Items
Storage and handling of unused hardware or supplies can also be a source of contamination. Corrugated cardboard boxes or wooden skids shed fibers when moved or handled. Evidence of this is indicated by the prevalence of the materials in samples obtained from subfloor deposits. Stored items are not only contamination sources; their handling in the computer room controlled areas can agitate settled contamination already in the room.

4.2.5 Outside Influences
A negatively pressurized environment can allow contaminants from adjoining office areas or the exterior of the building to infiltrate the computer room environment through gaps in the doors or penetrations in the walls. Ammonia and phosphates are often associated with agricultural processes, and numerous chemical agents can be produced in manufacturing areas. If such industries are present in the vicinity of the data center facility, chemical filtration may be necessary. Potential impact from automobile emissions, dusts from local quarries or masonry fabrication facilities or sea mists should also be assessed if relevant.

4.2.6 Cleaning Activity
Inappropriate cleaning practices can also degrade the environment. Many chemicals used in normal or "office" cleaning applications can damage sensitive computer equipment. Potentially hazardous chemicals outlined in the [|Section 4.8, Cleaning Procedures and Equipment]" should be avoided. Out-gassing from these products or direct contact with hardware components can cause failure. Certain biocide treatments used in building air handlers are also inappropriate for use in computer rooms either because they contain chemicals, that can degrade components, or because they are not designed to be used in the airstream of a recirculating air system. The use of push mops or inadequately filtered vacuums can also stimulate contamination. It is essential that steps be taken to prevent air contaminants, such as metal particles, atmospheric dust, solvent vapors, corrosive gasses, soot, airborne fibers or salts from entering or being generated within the computer room environment. In the absence of hardware exposure limits, applicable human exposure limits from OSHA, NIOSH or the ACGIH should be used. ASHRAE Standard 62 is also an adequate guideline for both operator safety and hardware exposure. Information regarding these agencies and organizations is included in the "References" section of this manual.

4.3 Contaminant Effects
Destructive interactions between airborne particulate and electronic instrumentation can occur in numerous ways. The means of interference depends on the time and location of the critical incident, the physical properties of the contaminant and the environment in which the component is placed.

4.3.1 Physical Interference
Hard particles with a tensile strength at least 10% greater than that of the component material can remove material from the surface of the component by grinding action or embedding. Soft particles will not damage the surface of the component, but can collect in patches, that can interfere with proper functioning. If these particles are tacky they can collect other particulate matter. Even very small particles can have an impact if they collect on a tacky surface, or agglomerate as the result of electrostatic charge build-up.

4.3.2 Corrosive Failure
Corrosive failure or contact intermittence due to the intrinsic composition of the particles, or due to absorption of water vapor and gaseous contaminants by the particles can also cause failures. The chemical composition of the contaminant can be very important. Salts, for instance, can grow in size by absorbing water vapor from the air (nucleating). If a mineral salts deposit exists in a sensitive location, and the environment is sufficiently moist, it can grow to a size where it can physically interfere with a mechanism, or can cause damage by forming salt solutions.

4.3.3 Shorts
Conductive pathways can arise through the accumulation of particles on circuit boards or other components. Many types of particulate are not inherently conductive, but can absorb significant quantities of water in high-moisture environments. Problems caused by electrically conductive particles can range from intermittent malfunctioning to actual damage to components and operational failures.

4.3.4 Thermal Failure
Premature clogging of filtered devices will cause a restriction in air flow that could induce internal overheating and head crashes. Heavy layers of accumulated dust on hardware components can also form an insulative layer that can lead to heat-related failures.

4.4 Room Conditions
All surfaces within the controlled zone of the data center should be maintained at a high level of cleanliness. All surfaces should be periodically cleaned by trained professionals on a regular basis, as outlined in the [|Section 4.8, Cleaning Procedures and Equipment]." Particular attention should be paid to the areas beneath the hardware, and the access floor grid. Contaminants near the air intakes of the hardware can more easily be transferred to areas where they can do damage. Particulate accumulations on the access floor grid can be forced airborne when floor tiles are lifted to gain access to the subfloor. It is important that these deposits be removed in an appropriate manner, and that all surfaces are maintained in good condition, so as to not contribute contamination to the environment. FIGURE 4-1 Floor Surface Contaminants Air Plenum Conditions. The subfloor void in a downward-flow air conditioning system acts as the supply air plenum. This area is pressurized by the air conditioners, and the conditioned air is then introduced into the hardware spaces through perforated floor panels. Thus, all air traveling from the air conditioners to the hardware must first pass through the subfloor void. Inappropriate conditions in the supply air plenum can have a dramatic effect on conditions in the hardware areas. FIGURE 4-2 Subfloor Penetration FIGURE 4-3 Dirty Unsealed Subfloor The subfloor void in a data center is often viewed solely as a convenient place to run cables and pipes. It is important to remember that this is also a duct, and that conditions below the false floor must be maintained at a high level of cleanliness. Contaminant sources can include degrading building materials, operator activity or infiltration from outside the controlled zone. Often particulate deposits are formed where cables or other subfloor items form air dams that allow particulate to settle and accumulate. When these items are moved, the particulate is re-introduced into the supply airstream, where it can be carried directly to hardware. Damaged or inappropriately protected building materials are often sources of subfloor contamination. Unprotected concrete, masonry block, plaster or gypsum wall-board will deteriorate over time, shedding fine particulate into the airstream. Corrosion on post-filtration air conditioner surfaces, or subfloor items can also be a concern. The subfloor void must be thoroughly and appropriately decontaminated on a regular basis to address these contaminants. Only vacuums equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration should be used in any decontamination procedure. Inadequately filtered vacuums are incapable of arresting fine particles, passing them through the unit at high speeds, and forcing them airborne. Unsealed concrete, masonry or other similar materials are subject to continued degradation. The sealants and hardeners normally used during construction are often designed to protect the deck against heavy traffic, or to prepare the deck for the application of flooring materials, and are not meant for the interior surfaces of a supply air plenum. While regular decontaminations will help address loose particulate, the surfaces will still be subject to deterioration over time, or as subfloor activity causes wear. Ideally all of the subfloor surfaces will be appropriately sealed at the time of construction. If this is not the case, special precautions will be necessary to address the surfaces in an on-line room. FIGURE 4-4 Well-sealed Subfloor It is extremely important that only appropriate materials and methodology are used in the encapsulation process. Inappropriate sealants or procedures can actually degrade the conditions they are meant to improve, impacting hardware operations and reliability. The following precautions should be taken when encapsulating the supply air plenum in an on-line room. Effectively encapsulating a subfloor deck in an on-line computer room is a very sensitive and difficult task, but it can be conducted safely if appropriate procedures and materials are used. Avoid using the ceiling void as an open supply or return for the building air system. This area is typically very dirty and difficult to clean. Often the structural surfaces are coated with fibrous fire-proofing, and the ceiling tiles and insulation are also subject to shedding. Even prior to filtration, this is an unnecessary exposure that can adversely affect environmental conditions in the room. It is also important that the ceiling void does not become pressurized, as this will force air from this typically dirty area into the computer room. Columns or cable chases with penetrations in both the subfloor and ceiling void can lead to ceiling void pressurization.
 * Manually apply the encapsulant. Spray applications are totally inappropriate in an on-line data center. The spraying process forces the sealant airborne in the supply airstream, and is more likely to adhere cables to the deck.
 * Use a pigmented encapsulant. The pigmentation makes the encapsulant visible in application, ensuring thorough coverage, and helps in identifying areas that are damaged or exposed over time.
 * It must have a high flexibility and low porosity in order to effectively cover the irregular textures of the subject area, and to minimize moisture migration and water damage.
 * The encapsulant must not out-gas any harmful contaminants. Many encapsulants commonly used in industry are highly ammoniated or contain other chemicals that can be harmful to hardware. It is very unlikely that this out-gassing could cause immediate, catastrophic failure, but these chemicals will often contribute to corrosion of contacts, heads or other components.

4.5 Exposure Points
All potential exposure points in the data center should be addressed so as to minimize potential influences from outside the controlled zone. Positive pressurization of the computer rooms will help limit contaminant infiltration, but it is also important to minimize any breaches in the room perimeter. All doors should fit snugly in their frames. Gaskets and sweeps can be used to address any gaps. Automatic doors should be avoided in areas where they can be accidentally triggered, as this is an unnecessary exposure. An alternate means of control would be to remotely locate a door trigger so that personnel pushing carts can open the doors easily. In highly sensitive areas, or where the data center is exposed to undesirable conditions, it may be advisable to design and install personnel traps. Double sets of doors with a buffer between can help limit direct exposure to outside conditions. The data center should be an isolated environment if controllability is to be achieved. Seal all penetrations between the data center and adjacent areas. Avoid sharing a computer room ceiling or subfloor plenum with loosely controlled adjacent areas.

4.6 Filtration
Filtration is an effective means of addressing airborne particulate in a controlled environment. It is important that all air handlers serving the data center are adequately filtered to ensure appropriate conditions are maintained within the room. The necessary efficiency is dependent on the design and application of the air handlers. In room process cooling is the recommended method of controlling the room environment. The in-room process coolers recirculate room air. Air from the hardware areas is passed through the units where it is filtered and cooled, and then introduced into the subfloor plenum. The plenum is pressurized, and the conditioned air is forced into the room, through perforated tiles, and then travels back to the air conditioner for reconditioning. The airflow patterns and design associated with a typical computer room air handler have a much higher rate of air change than do typical comfort cooling air conditioners. This means that the air is filtered much more often than would be the case in an office environment. Proper filtration can thus accomplish a great deal of particulate arrestance. The filters installed in the in-room, recirculating air conditioners should have a minimum efficiency of 40% (Atmospheric Dust-Spot Efficiency, ASHRAE Standard 52.1). Low-grade prefilters should be installed to help prolong the life of the more expensive primary filters. Any air being introduced into the computer room controlled zone, for ventilation or positive pressurization, should first pass through high efficiency filtration. Ideally, air from sources outside the building should be filtered using High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration rated at 99.97% efficiency (DOP Efficiency MIL-STD-282) or greater. The expensive high efficiency filters should be protected by multiple layers of prefilters that are changed on a more frequent basis. Low-grade prefilters, 20% ASHRAE atmospheric dust-spot efficiency, should be the primary line of defense. The next filter bank should consist of pleated or bag type filters with efficiencies between 60% and 80% ASHRAE atmospheric dust-spot efficiency. Please refer to [|TABLE 4-2] for a comparison of filter efficiencies. TABLE 4-2 Filter Efficiency Comparison|||||||| Typical Efficiencies of Various Filters
 * ASHRAE 52-76 |||||| Fractional Efficiencies,% ||
 * Dust spot efficiency,% || 3.0 micron || 1.0 micron || 0.3 micron ||
 * 25-30 || 80 || 20 || <5 ||
 * 60-65 || 93 || 50 || 20 ||
 * 80-85 || 99 || 90 || 50 ||
 * 95 || >99 || 92 || 60 ||
 * DOP 95 || -- || >99 || 95 ||
 * DOP 95 || -- || >99 || 95 ||


 * **Note -** Source: //ASHRAE Journal,// February 1995 ||

As the previous chart demonstrates, low efficiency filters are almost totally ineffective at removing submicronic particulate from the air. It is also important that the filters used are properly sized for the air handlers. Gaps around the filter panels can allow air to bypass the filter as it passes through the air conditioner. Any gaps or openings should be filled using appropriate materials, such as stainless steel panels or custom filter assemblies.

4.7 Positive Pressurization and Ventilation
A designed introduction of air from outside the computer room system will be necessary in order to accommodate positive pressurization and ventilation requirements. The data center should be designed to achieve positive pressurization in relation to more loosely controlled surrounding areas. Positive pressurization of the more sensitive areas is an effective means of controlling contaminant infiltration through any minor breaches in the room perimeter. Positive pressure systems are designed to apply outward air forces to doorways and other access points within the data processing center in order to minimize contaminant infiltration of the computer room. Only a minimal amount of air should be introduced into the controlled environment. In data centers with multiple rooms, the most sensitive areas should be the most highly pressurized. It is, however, extremely important that the air being used to positively pressurize the room does not adversely affect the environmental conditions in the room. It is essential that any air introduction from outside the computer room is adequately filtered and conditioned to ensure that it is within acceptable parameters. These parameters can be looser than the goal conditions for the room since the air introduction should be minimal. A precise determination of acceptable limits should be based on the amount of air being introduced and the potential impact on the environment of the data center. Because a closed-loop, recirculating air conditioning system is used in most data centers, it will be necessary to introduce a minimal amount of air to meet the ventilation requirements of the room occupants. Data center areas normally have a very low human population density, thus the air required for ventilation will be minimal. In most cases, the air needed to achieve positive pressurization will likely exceed that needed to accommodate the room occupants. Normally, outside air quantities of less than 5% make-up air should be sufficient (ASHRAE Handbook: Applications, Chapter 17). A volume of 15 CFM outside air per occupant or workstation should sufficiently accommodate the ventilation needs of the room (Uniform Building Code, Chapter 12). The amount of air introduced should be kept to the absolute minimum necessary to achieve the positive pressurization and ventilation requirements of the room.

4.8 Cleaning Procedures and Equipment
Even a perfectly designed data center will require continued maintenance. Data centers containing design flaws or compromises may require extensive efforts to maintain conditions within desired limits. Hardware performance is an important factor contributing to the need for a high level of cleanliness in the data center. All electronic and mechanical devices are sensitive to contamination in a variety of ways and means. Increased component failure caused by excessive contaminant exposure will result in an interruption of service to the data processing users. Operator awareness is another consideration. Maintaining a fairly high level of cleanliness will raise the level of occupant awareness with respect to special requirements and restrictions while in the data center. Occupants or visitors to the data center will hold the controlled environment in high regard and are more likely to act appropriately. Any environment that is maintained to a fairly high level of cleanliness and is kept in a neat and well organized fashion will also command respect from the room's inhabitants and visitors. When potential clients visit the room they will interpret the overall appearance of the room as a reflection of an overall commitment to excellence and quality. An effective cleaning schedule must consist of specially designed short-term and long-term actions. These can be summarized as follows: TABLE 4-3 Cleaning Schedule||~ Frequency
 * ~ Task ||
 * Daily Actions || Rubbish removal ||
 * Weekly Actions || Access floor maintenance (vacuum and damp mop) ||
 * Quarterly Actions || Hardware decontamination ||
 * || Room surface decontamination ||
 * Bi-Annual Actions || Subfloor void decontamination ||
 * || Air conditioner decontamination (as necessary) ||

4.8.1 Daily Tasks
This statement of work focuses on the removal of each day's discarded trash and rubbish from the room. In addition, daily floor vacuuming may be required in Print Rooms or rooms with a considerable amount of operator activity.

4.8.2 Weekly Tasks
This statement of work focuses on the maintenance of the access floor system. During the week, the access floor becomes soiled with dust accumulations and blemishes. The entire access floor should be vacuumed and damp mopped. All vacuums used in the data center, for any purpose, should be equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration. Inadequately filtered equipment can not arrest smaller particles, and simply agitates them, degrading the environment they were meant to improve. It is also important that mop-heads and dust wipes are of appropriate non-shedding designs. Cleaning solutions used within the data center must not pose a threat to the hardware. Solutions that could potentially damage hardware include ammoniated products, chlorine based products, phosphate based products, bleach enriched products, petrol-chemical based products, floor strippers or re-conditioners. It is also important that the recommended concentrations are used, as even an appropriate agent in an inappropriate concentration can be potentially damaging. The solution should be maintained in good condition throughout the project, and excessive applications should be avoided.

4.8.3 Quarterly Tasks
The quarterly statement of work involves a much more detailed and comprehensive decontamination schedule and should only be conducted by experienced computer room contamination-control professionals. These actions should be performed three to four times per year, based on the levels of activity and contamination present. All room surfaces should be thoroughly decontaminated including cupboards, ledges, racks, shelves and support equipment. High ledges and light fixtures and generally accessible areas should be treated or vacuumed as appropriate. Vertical surfaces including windows, glass partitions, doors, etc. should be thoroughly treated. Special dust cloths that are impregnated with a particle absorbent material are to be used in the surface decontamination process. Do not use generic dust rags or fabric cloths to perform these activities. Do not use any chemicals, waxes or solvents during these activities. Settled contamination should be removed from all exterior hardware surfaces including horizontal and vertical surfaces. The unit's air inlet and outlet grilles should be treated as well. Do not wipe the unit's control surfaces, these areas can be decontaminated by the use of lightly compressed air. Special care should also be taken when cleaning keyboards and life-safety controls. Specially treated dust wipes should be used to treat all hardware surfaces. Monitors should be treated with optical cleansers and static-free cloths. No ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) dissipative chemicals should be used on the computer hardware, since these agents are caustic and harmful to most sensitive hardware. The computer hardware is sufficiently designed to permit Electrostatic dissipation thus no further treatments are required. After all of the hardware and room surfaces have been thoroughly decontaminated, the access floor should be HEPA vacuumed and damp mopped as detailed in the Weekly Actions.

4.8.4 Bi-Annual Tasks
The subfloor void should be decontaminated every 18 months to 24 months based on the conditions of the plenum surfaces and the degree of contaminant accumulation. Over the course of the year, the subfloor void undergoes a considerable amount of activity, that creates new contamination accumulations. Although the weekly above floor cleaning activities will greatly reduce the subfloor dust accumulations, a certain amount of surface dirt will migrate into the subfloor void. It is important to maintain the subfloor to a high degree of cleanliness since this area acts as the hardware's supply air plenum. It is best to perform the subfloor decontamination treatment in a short time frame to reduce cross contamination. The personnel performing this operation should be fully trained to assess cable connectivity and priority. Each exposed area of the subfloor void should be individually inspected and assessed for possible cable handling and movement. All twist-in and plug-in connections should be checked and fully engaged before cable movement. All subfloor activities must be conducted with proper consideration for air distribution and floor loading. In an effort to maintain access floor integrity and proper psychrometric conditions, the number of floor tiles removed from the floor system should be carefully managed. In most cases, each work crew should have no more than 24 square feet (six tiles) of open access flooring at any one time. The access floor's supporting grid system should also be thoroughly decontaminated, first by vacuuming the loose debris and then by damp-sponging the accumulated residue. Rubber gaskets, if present, as the metal framework that makes up the grid system should be removed from the grid work and cleaned with a damp sponge as well. Any unusual conditions, such as damaged floor suspension, floor tiles, cables and surfaces, within the floor void should be noted and reported.

4.9 Activity and Processes
Isolation of the data center is an integral factor in maintaining appropriate conditions. All unnecessary activity should be avoided in the data center, and access should be limited to necessary personnel only. Periodic activity, such as tours, should be limited, and traffic should be restricted to away from the hardware so as to avoid accidental contact. All personnel working in the room, including temporary employees and janitorial personnel, should be trained in the most basic sensitivities of the hardware so as to avoid unnecessary exposure. The controlled areas of the data center should be thoroughly isolated from contaminant producing activities. Ideally, print rooms, check sorting rooms, command centers or other areas with high levels of mechanical or human activity should have no direct exposure to the data center. Paths to and from these areas should not necessitate traffic through the main data center areas. 


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