Comprehensive Overview of Data Center Construction and Integrated Systems

Data‑center construction involves many specialties—room decoration, power supply, air‑conditioning, structured cabling, security monitoring, equipment monitoring, and fire‑suppression systems—as well as end‑to‑end services such as consulting, planning, design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, and therefore must be treated as a unified system rather than isolated subsystems to improve reliability, availability, safety, and manageability.

For users, adopting an integrated data‑center solution reduces selection, procurement, and project‑management costs, while providing a cohesive design, implementation, and service that enhances stability, compatibility, and shortens construction cycles.

◆ Data‑Center Renovation System

Renovation is not merely decorative; it is a multidisciplinary engineering effort that combines power engineering, electronics, architectural decoration, aesthetics, HVAC, clean‑room technology, computer science, weak‑current control, fire protection, and more, including computer‑network engineering. Design must address power distribution, air purification, temperature control, safety measures, anti‑static, electromagnetic shielding, waterproofing, lightning protection, fire resistance, moisture control, and rodent prevention to ensure long‑term reliable operation of computer systems.

Data‑Center Ceiling Engineering

Ceilings are typically suspended to create a plenum for static‑pressure supply or return air, accommodate ventilation ducts, fixed lighting, cabling, air outlets, and automatic fire detectors, while preventing dust fall. The ceiling must support the weight of all installed equipment, provide a clearance of 300 mm–800 mm above it, be removable for maintenance, and use materials that are lightweight, fire‑resistant, moisture‑resistant, sound‑absorbing, and dust‑free. Aluminum perforated panels are commonly used for their light weight and acoustic properties.

Data‑Center Wall Engineering

Wall finishes protect the substrate, ensure suitable indoor conditions, and create a clean, aesthetic environment. Common finishes include aluminum‑plastic panels and color‑steel plates, which are flat, airtight, easy to clean, and non‑dusty. Wall substrates must be treated for moisture resistance, shielding, and thermal insulation. Materials should be non‑flammable, provide good thermal and acoustic insulation, and be low‑dust, anti‑static, and non‑toxic.

Data‑Center Partition Engineering

To avoid interior columns, large‑span structures are used. Partitions divide the large hall into functional zones, must be lightweight, thin, sound‑insulating, and heat‑insulating. External doors and windows are fire‑rated and theft‑resistant; internal doors are typically frameless large glass panels, providing safety and visual transparency.

◆ Data‑Center Shielding System

Electromagnetic shielding for computer rooms includes four main types: welded shielding enclosures, modular (assembled) shielding enclosures, thin‑film shielding, and multilayer shielding. Welded enclosures are formed on‑site by welding pre‑fabricated metal panels; modular enclosures are assembled from pre‑made components; thin‑film shielding uses a metal film attached to a supporting structure; multilayer shielding creates several spaced layers with air or dielectric between them for superior attenuation.

Shielding methods are chosen based on equipment performance and safety requirements, ranging from fully shielded rooms, shielded work‑areas, to equipment‑specific shielding.

◆ Data‑Center Lightning Protection System

Lightning poses severe risks to electronic equipment across many industries. Direct‑strike protection consists of air terminals (lightning rods, conductors, wires, mesh) and down‑conductors (metal rods, strips, rebars) linked to a grounding system. Induced‑strike protection limits electromagnetic pulses traveling along power, data, or signal lines using surge protective devices (SPDs), shielding, equipotential bonding, common grounding, and proper wiring. Proper grounding provides a low‑impedance path for lightning currents, protecting personnel, equipment, and structures.

◆ Data‑Center Power Distribution System

Main loads (servers, network devices, communications equipment) require the highest power quality and reliability and are supplied by UPS‑backed distribution with battery backup. Auxiliary loads (precision air‑conditioning, power equipment, lighting, test equipment) are fed directly from utility power. High‑quality flame‑retardant PVC cables, galvanized conduit, and properly rated circuit breakers are used. Separate markings distinguish utility and UPS outlets. Dual‑circuit supply (utility and generator) provides redundancy.

◆ Data‑Center Environmental Lighting System

Lighting must meet illumination standards while minimizing heat and glare; it is integrated with the overall power distribution design.

◆ Air‑Conditioning and Fresh‑Air System

Precision air‑conditioning maintains constant temperature, humidity, and low dust levels to ensure continuous, stable operation of equipment. The system provides supply, return, heating, humidification, cooling, de‑humidification, and air purification. Fresh‑air ventilation supplies adequate fresh air, creates positive pressure to keep dust out, and is sized at roughly 50 m³/h per person. In unattended rooms, fresh‑air systems may be omitted.

◆ Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) System

High availability of the power system is built on a complete chain from high‑voltage to low‑voltage, UPS, and outlet. Redundant UPS units, automatic transfer switches, and surge‑absorbing devices are designed, installed, and tested to ensure stable, reliable power.

◆ Data‑Center Fire‑Protection System

Fire safety must be considered at design stage. Common fire causes include electrical short circuits, overloads, high contact resistance, static discharge, lightning, prolonged equipment operation, combustible materials, and poor housekeeping. Fire protection should use inert‑gas extinguishing agents, fire‑resistant building materials, and comply with national regulations and mandatory inspections.

◆ Data‑Center Monitoring System

Monitoring covers power parameters (voltage, current, frequency), UPS status, video surveillance, temperature/humidity, leak detection, and smoke detection. Sensors transmit data via TCP/IP to a central console, providing real‑time alerts and historical records for efficient management and safety.

Source: Data Center Operations Management