For Mission Critical facilities like data centers, uptime is essential. These structures are measured on their reliability and predictable maintenance processes, and contain specialized, fragile equipment. Data center cleanliness throughout construction is essential to ensure equipment longevity and peak performance.
Prevention vs. Cleaning
Every time you introduce dirt into the space, you risk damaging equipment or slowing down processing. Even the smallest particles in the air are bad for conductivity and could build-up over time. Therefore, when considering construction projects for Mission Critical spaces, prevention and cleaning are both important approaches for mitigating dirt and dust (which are measured in parts per million).
While cleaning is a standard requirement on any jobsite, prevention involves anything you can do prior to and during construction to mitigate dust.
Prevention options can vary based on three types of construction work, one being new construction, the second being work within a live Mission Critical environment, and the third being work adjacent to a live Mission Critical space.
Preventive measures within these spaces might include:
- Continuous clean-up
- Daily floor scrubbing
- Building containment
- Temporary walls
- Knock out panels
- Design so future expansion will not impact current operations
Day Zero Intentional Planning
One prevention method Granger has found particularly successful is Day Zero Intentional Planning. This involves planning prevention measures early in the project, before even steel and foundation trades are on site, then setting up training and processes to ensure all team members and trade partners are prepared from day 1, with a mindset on how to treat the facility and assist with prevention methods.
For example, on many data center projects, Granger teams have used site logistics plans to map and place hard surface sidewalks and paths between parking lots and workspaces, minimizing dirt from getting tracked into the building.
Similarly, the team has installed permanent pavement around jobsite as soon as possible to further minimize dirt transfer.
Raised Floor Sequencing
Another prevention area Granger teams have found effective for data center projects is to consider Raised Floor Sequencing. With this, Granger schedules installation for as much overhead MEP as possible prior to installing raised floors. They also schedule cleaning for this space prior to raised-floor installation, then install floor protection. Using positive air under floors and frequent filter changes can also assist in keeping them clean throughout the project.
Additional Prevention Tips
Other prevention methods Granger has found effective in data center spaces such as MMRs or Substation Rooms are:
- Creating sealed off spaces with temporary doors when ushering in highly sensitive equipment
- Placing stick matts or walk-off matts at entrance and exit points for Mission Critical spaces and wearing booties while inside these environments
- Using positive pressure air flow to push dust out of critical spaces
- Limiting access to critical areas so only a select group of personnel are authorized to enter and are held accountable for cleanliness
- Sequencing work to prevent the need to double back with cleaning later
- Scheduling a white glove clean before turning on any electrical equipment
Preventive measure like these not only protect equipment and processes, but can result in early occupancy. For example, one of Granger’s data center clients was able to access and start populating their data halls 3 months early.
On projects where Granger has implemented these measures, air quality tests have indicated readings below 0.04 parts per million. These results exceed LEED PM10 Concentration limits of 0.05 for occupied buildings.
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Interested in learning more about Granger’s success with Mission Critical spaces? Check out our case study: “Design-build Team Achieves Data Center Firsts for Michigan,” or contact our Industrial Market Segment Leaders, Ben Schneider, at bschneider@grangerconstruction.com.
