Design and Project Process

Before a data center design decision can be taken, all the key stakeholders must be considered, these include:

-         The C Class people

-         Stakeholders

-         Customers

-         Staff

-         Suppliers

Client Brief:

-         IT capacity ramp up over asset life

-         Incremental while space fit out / modular concepts.

-         M&E Resiliency Requirements.

N+1 or 2N same of each compartment /room?

-         Telco Resiliency Requirements.

-         Technologies to be implemented.

-         PUE Target.

Planning Phase:

-         Consultants are appointed.

-         Crucial decisions are made.

-         The design intent document is established

-         The cost plan is determined

-         The project timeline is established

-         The client brief is signed off

-         Funding approval and budgets are agreed

-         Regulatory planning and codes consent are applied for

-         IT equipment delivery, Storage and installation plan is created.

Design Phase:

-         The main contractor is appointed

-         The entire project team is identified

-         The system to be commissioned are determined

-         An architectural review of room building is conducted

-         A need assessment /inventory of IT requirements is performed.

-         The design intent documentation is submitted

-         IT, facilities and architecture are reviewed.

-         The scope of work for all participants, including contractors and vendors is reviewed.

-         The utility providers are established

-         The commissioning plan is produced

-         The IT infrastructure and network design is agreed.

Build Phase

-         Appoint M&E Contractors.

-         Commissioning consultants define acceptance criteria

-         Milestone monitoring is performed

-         User acceptance testing at manufacture’s site

-         Pre-functional testing is completed as required.

-         Site inspections and progress reports are submitted.

-         Design modifications documented and approved

-         Change order process and approval authority are monitored

-         Suppliers train M&E Operational staff.

-         Commissioning phase.

Construction Phase Handover:

-         Equipment suppliers submit O&M documentation to main contractor.

-         M&E contractors’ staff carries out acceptance test in conjunction with contractors.

-         On site functional performance and integration testing.

-         Site /Equipment audit – M&E Asset list prepared.

-         Manufacturer warranty audit.

-         Health & Safety plan submitted including residual risks.

-         Final documentation submittal including ‘As built’ drawings and test results.

-         Change over temporary utility supplies to permanent.

Post Construction Handover – Client Handover Phase

-         O&M procedures established – Standard Operation Procedures SOP, Emergency Operation procedures EOP and Planned Maintenance Procedures PMP

-         IT equipment installed.

-         Document storage and document modification process defined.

-         M&E personnel testing and assessment

-         Moves, Adds and changes procedures established.

-         Change control procedures and policies implemented.