Abstract
A method of making a data centre is disclosed, comprising making a data centre in an existing building (3010) having a floor, walls and a roof, an air inlet and an air outlet. The method includes: installing prefabricated data centre elements by (a) connecting to the inlet an air handling module (3001, 3002); and (b) installing cold aisle services modules (3011) each having one or more integrated blanking portions and one or more data centre services extending along its length terminating with a connection to an adjacent module (3011); and installing racks of IT equipment arranged in parallel rows; the method being so performed that the floor, racks, and cold aisle services modules (3011) together define parallel cold aisles for entraining cooling air flows to the IT equipment. Also disclosed are a data centre, a service carrying frame and a cold aisle services module for a data centre and a supporting frame for supporting prefabricated data centre elements.
Claims
1. A kit of parts for making a data centre in an existing building, the kit of parts comprising prefabricated data centre elements including: at least one air handling module for providing cooling air to IT equipment in the data centre, the air handling module being configured for connection to an air inlet of the building; multiple cold aisle services modules configured for suspension from a structure of the building above and spaced apart from a floor of the building, each cold aisle services module having: a length and a width, one or more integrated blanking portions including at least one ceiling member configured to enclose a top portion of a cold aisle, at least one clamp for attaching the cold aisle services module to an adjacent cold aisle services module, at least one gasket for providing a seal between the integrated blanking portions of the cold aisle services module and the integrated blanking portions of an adjacent cold aisle services module, and one or more data centre services extending along the length of the cold aisle services module and terminating in a connector configured for connection to a corresponding connector of an adjacent cold aisle services module, the data centre services being selected from the list consisting of electrical power services, data-carrying services, lighting services and fire suppression services, wherein each cold aisle services module comprises one or more electrical power carriers for supplying electricity to two rows of IT equipment racks, at least one cable tray, and a lighting system for illuminating the space between the two rows of IT equipment racks; and at least one services distribution module configured for suspension from the structure of the building above and spaced apart from the floor of the building, each services distribution module having one or more data centre services terminating in a connector configured for connection to a corresponding connector of a cold aisle services module, the data centre services being selected from the list consisting of electrical power services, data-carrying services, lighting services and fire suppression services, wherein each services distribution module comprises at least one electrical distribution bus for distributing electricity to one or more cold aisle services modules, and at least one cable tray; wherein the cold aisle services modules including the associated integrated blanking portions are configured to cooperate with racks of IT equipment so that when the cold aisle services modules are suspended from the structure of the building and the racks are arranged on the floor in parallel rows, the cold aisles services modules, racks and the floor together define multiple parallel spaced apart cold aisles for entraining and encapsulating flows of cooling air to the IT equipment in the racks.
2. A kit according to claim 1, wherein each cold aisle services module comprises at least one locating device arranged to cooperate with a corresponding locating device on an adjacent cold aisle services module.
3. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the cold aisle services modules each have a length of from 2 to 6 metres.
4. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the integrated blanking portions are movable from a first, transport, configuration to a second, deployed, configuration.
5. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the cold aisle services modules and/or the at least one data centre services module comprise at least one item of pre-installed data centre service-providing equipment selected from the list consisting of: earth cables, data-carrying/network cables, fire suppression system conduits, sensor cables, and sensors.
6. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the cold aisle services module comprises at least one integrated hot aisle services portion arranged to extend across and above at least part of at least one hot aisle adjacent to the cold aisle, the integrated hot aisle services portion comprises at least one data centre hot aisle service selected from the list consisting of: data carrying/network cables, electrical cables, earth cables and components of a hot aisle lighting system, optionally, wherein the at least one integrated hot aisle services portion is movable from a first, transport, configuration to a second, deployed, configuration.
7. A kit according to claim 1, comprising at least one vented door assembly and/or one or more prefabricated damper units, wherein the at least one vented door assembly is for each cold aisle, the assembly comprising a frame and a door for providing personnel access to the cold aisle from an air supply corridor, the door comprising at least one controllable vent for regulating the flow of cooling air into the cold aisle from the air supply corridor, and wherein the one or more prefabricated damper units are configured for installation in an aperture for forming an air inlet and/or an air outlet, wherein the prefabricated damper unit comprises: a frame, a plurality of adjustable louvres mounted on the frame, at least one actuator connected to the adjustable louvres and arranged to adjust the position of the adjustable louvres in order to control the flow of air through the aperture, and at least one sensor selected from the list consisting of temperature/humidity sensors and smoke detection sensors.
8. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the kit is arrangeable in a transport configuration in which the elements occupy a first sum volume, wherein the first sum volume is smaller than a second sum volume collectively defined by the elements when installed in the existing building.
9. A kit according to claim 1, including a plurality of secondary supporting frames, each frame for supporting one or more of the prefabricated data centre elements during transportation and/or installation, wherein the kit comprises a plurality of cold aisle services modules mounted on one or more of the secondary support frames.
10. A kit according to claim 9, wherein the one or more of the secondary supporting frames are configured to act as a jig for aiding construction of the one or more prefabricated data centre elements, wherein one or more of the secondary supporting frames are configured to support one or more prefabricated data centre elements as the supported one or more prefabricated data centre elements is rotated from a first, transport orientation to a second, deployed orientation wherein one or more of the secondary supporting frame includes one or more engaging elements for engagement with a lifting device and/or a plurality of wheels for manoeuvring the secondary supporting frame and the one or more supported prefabricated elements.
11. A kit according to claim 1, wherein the one or more electrical power carriers are bus-bars or power cables.
12. A data centre comprising a building having a floor, walls and a roof, at least some of which define a load-bearing structure; the data centre further comprising: at least one air handling module for providing cooling air to IT equipment in the data centre, the air handling module being connected to an air inlet of the building; multiple cold aisle services modules suspended from the load bearing structure of the building above and spaced apart from the floor of the building, each cold aisle services module having: a length and a width, one or more integrated blanking portions including at least one ceiling member configured to enclose a top portion of a cold aisle; at least one clamp for attaching a cold aisle services module to an adjacent cold aisle services module; at least one gasket for providing a seal between the integrated blanking portions of the cold aisle services module and the integrated blanking portions of an adjacent cold aisle services module; one or more data centre services extending along the length of the cold aisle services module and terminating in a connector that is connected to a corresponding connector of an adjacent cold aisle services module, the data centre services being selected from the list consisting of electrical power services, data-carrying services, lighting services and fire suppression services, wherein each cold aisle services module comprises one or more electrical power carriers for supplying electricity to two rows of IT equipment racks, at least one cable tray, and a lighting system for illuminating the space between the two rows of IT equipment racks; and, at least one services distribution module suspended from the load-bearing structure of the building above and spaced apart from the floor of the building, each services distribution module having one or more data centre services terminating in a connector that is connected to a corresponding connector of a cold aisle services module, the data centre services being selected from the list consisting of electrical power services, data-carrying services, lighting services and fire suppression services, wherein each services distribution module comprises at least one electrical distribution bus for distributing electricity to one or more cold aisle services modules, and at least one cable tray; wherein the cold aisle services modules including the associated integrated blanking portions are configured to cooperate with racks of IT equipment so that when the racks are arranged on the floor in parallel rows, the cold aisles services modules, racks and the floor together define multiple parallel spaced apart cold aisles for entraining and encapsulating flows of cooling air to the IT equipment in the racks.
13. The data centre according to claim 12, wherein each row of racks of IT equipment comprises at least 15 racks and-the cold aisle services modules each have a length that corresponds to the width of any one of from 2 to 5 IT equipment racks.
14. The data centre according to claim 12, wherein at least one cold aisle services module is connected to two other cold aisle services modules, and wherein each services distribution module is connected to at least one cold aisle services module and to at least one other services distribution module.
15. The data centre according to claim 12, wherein the floor, IT racks, cold aisle services modules including the associated integrated blanking portions, and optionally the roof, together define multiple parallel spaced apart hot aisles interleaved between the multiple parallel cold aisles, the hot aisles being provided for entraining and encapsulating the flows of warm air from the IT equipment in the racks.
16. The data centre according to claim 12, wherein the cold aisle services module comprises at least one integrated hot aisle services portion extending across and above at least part of at least one hot aisle adjacent to the cold aisle, the integrated hot aisle services portion comprising at least one data centre hot aisle service selected from the list consisting of: data carrying/network cables, electrical cables, earth cables and components of a hot aisle lighting system.
17. The data centre according to claim 12, wherein the cold aisle services modules and the data centre services modules are supported directly and entirely by the load bearing structure of the building.
18. The data centre according claim 12 constructed from the kit of parts according to claim 1.
19. An aisle services module for use in making a data centre in an existing building, wherein the aisle services module is configured for suspension from a structure of the building above and spaced apart from a floor of the building, the aisle services module having: a length and a width, one or more integrated blanking portions including at least one ceiling member configured to enclose a top portion of an aisle, at least one attachment device for attaching the aisle services module to an adjacent aisle services module, at least one sealing device for providing a seal between the integrated blanking portions of the aisle services module and the integrated blanking portions of an adjacent aisle services module, and one or more data centre services extending along the length of the aisle services module and terminating in a connector configured for connection to a corresponding connector of an adjacent aisle services module, the data centre services being selected from the list consisting of electrical power services, data-carrying services, lighting services and fire suppression services, wherein the aisle services module comprises one or more electrical power carriers for supplying electricity to two rows of IT equipment racks, at least one cable tray, and a lighting system for illuminating the space between the two rows of IT equipment racks; and wherein the aisle services module including the associated integrated blanking portions is configured to cooperate with racks of two or more rows of IT equipment racks so that when the aisle services module is suspended from the structure of the building and the rack(s) arranged on the floor, the aisles services module, rack(s) and the floor together define multiple a portion of a cold aisle for entraining and encapsulating flow of cooling air to the IT equipment in the rack(s).
20. An aisle services module according to claim 19, wherein the aisle services module is a cold aisle services module of the kit of parts of claim 1.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0177] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:
[0178] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a cold aisle services module;
[0179] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the cold aisle services module of FIG. 1;
[0180] FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a services distribution module;
[0181] FIG. 4 shows an end elevation view of the services distribution module of FIG. 3;
[0182] FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of an air intake damper unit;
[0183] FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the air intake damper unit of FIG. 5;
[0184] FIG. 7 shows a rear perspective view of a warm air recirculation damper unit;
[0185] FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the warm air recirculation damper unit of FIG. 7;
[0186] FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of a vented door assembly;
[0187] FIG. 10 shows a top perspective view of four of the cold aisle services modules of FIG. 1 assembled together;
[0188] FIG. 11 shows an end elevation view of the cold aisle services module of FIG. 1 installed in a building;
[0189] FIG. 12 shows a side elevation view of an embodiment of the installation of FIG. 11;
[0190] FIG. 13 shows an end elevation view of another embodiment of the installation of FIG. 11;
[0191] FIG. 14 shows a side elevation view of the installation embodiment of FIG. 13;
[0192] FIG. 15 shows an end elevation view of another embodiment of the installation of FIG. 11;
[0193] FIG. 16 shows a side elevation view of the installation embodiment of FIG. 15;
[0194] FIG. 17 shows a side elevation view of an installation of four of the cold aisle services modules of FIG. 1 in a building;
[0195] FIG. 18 shows a top plan view of a data centre;
[0196] FIG. 19 shows a top plan view of the building of the data centre of FIG. 18 prior to installation of the prefabricated data centre elements;
[0197] FIG. 20 shows an end elevation view of the cold aisle services module of FIG. 1 in a transport configuration and mounted on a secondary steel frame;
[0198] FIG. 21 shows an end elevation view of three of the cold aisle services modules of FIG. 1 stacked on top of each other on the secondary steel frame of FIG. 20;
[0199] FIG. 22 shows a rear elevation view of the vented door assembly of FIG. 9 mounted on a secondary steel frame;
[0200] FIG. 23 shows a side elevation view of the vented door assembly and secondary steel frame of FIG. 22;
[0201] FIG. 24 shows a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method of constructing a data centre according to the invention;
[0202] FIG. 25 shows a top perspective view of a set of prefabricated data centre elements packaged up into a transport configuration;
[0203] FIG. 26 shows a top perspective view of the set of prefabricated data centre elements of FIG. 25 in their deployed configuration in a data centre building envelope;
[0204] FIG. 27 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of a services distribution module according to the eighth aspect of the invention;
[0205] FIG. 28 shows another top plan view of the services distribution module of FIG. 27;
[0206] FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a damper unit according to the ninth aspect of the invention; and,
[0207] FIG. 30 shows an end elevation view of an embodiment of a supporting frame assembly according to the seventh aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0208] The embodiments illustrated by the accompanying Figures together relate to a method of constructing a data centre. The method of construction divides out the technical requirements of the building that accommodates the various functional parts of the interior of the data centre, and the technical requirements of those internal functional data centre parts. The internal functional data centre parts are provided in the form of different prefabricated data centre elements. The number of different types of prefabricated data centre elements is relatively low, meaning that each prefabricated data centre element is a relatively technically complicated piece of kit. The technical requirements of the data centre building envelope may be dealt with locally on-site by a local work-force, having appropriate skills and expertise. The manufacture of the relatively complicated and technically demanding prefabricated data centre elements may be dealt with remotely (off-site) by a specialist work-force working in a dedicated facility. By separating out the technical requirements of the building envelope from the technical requirements of the (prefabricated) data centre elements it is possible to utilise remote manufacturing, to enable construction of a data centre using a relatively low-skilled workforce locally on-site, and to increase efficiency. Furthermore, by providing high levels of functionality in many of the (prefabricated) data centre elements, it is possible to reduce both the number of different elements required to fit out a data centre and also the packaged volume of those elements during transport. For example, cold aisle services modules may provide the triple functionality of accommodating cold aisle services, accommodating hot aisle services and providing entrainment of cold air in the cold aisles; vented door assemblies may provide the triple functionality of defining parts of a cold aisle and of an air supply corridor, regulating sir flow into a cold aisle and housing sensors for the data centre control system.
[0209] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a cold aisle services module 101, which forms one of the prefabricated data centre elements of an embodiment of the invention. The cold aisle services module 101 has a length 1 and a width w. The cold aisle services module 101 comprises a steel frame 102 which supports a top integral blanking portion 103 that extends horizontally across the width of an upper part of the cold aisle services module 101, two side integral blanking portions 104a and 104b (104b is not shown in FIG. 1) that extend downwards at the sides of the top integral blanking portion 103, and lower integral blanking portions 105a and 105b that extend horizontally inwards from the bottom edges of the side integral blanking portions 104a and 104b, respectively. The cold aisle services module 101 is also provided with two integrated hot aisle services portions 106a and 106b extending horizontally outwards from the bottom edges of the side integral blanking portions 104a and 104b, respectively. The hot aisle services portions 106a and 106b are detachable from the frame 102 of the cold aisle services module 101. The integral side blanking portions 104a and 104b are provided with four apertures 107 and 108 to accommodate data centre services passing between the hot and cold aisles of the data centre (only the apertures of side integral blanking portion 104a are shown in FIG. 1). Apertures 107 comprise grommets for closing off the aperture around the data centre services passing through the apertures when installed. Aperture 108 is provided with a brush (not shown) to close off the aperture around the data centre services passing through the aperture when installed. Suspended from the frame 102 of the cold aisle services module 101 is a cable tray 109 for accommodating cold aisle services, such as cables (not shown). Openings 110 are provided in the frame 102 for accommodating further data centre services. Optionally, further data centre services (not shown in FIG. 1) can be installed above the lower integral blanking portions 105a and 105b. The hot aisle services portions 106a and 106b are provided with cable trays 111a and 111b for accommodating hot aisle services, such as cables (not shown). Each end of the cold aisle services module 101 is provided with a rubber gasket 112 that extends along the edge of the frame 102. The gasket 112 is provided in four pieces that extend along the edge of the frame 102 at the ends of the integral blanking portions 103, 104a, 104b, 105a and 105b. Location devices in the form of cone-shaped protrusions 113a and 113b are provided at one end of the cold aisle services module 101 on the frame 102. Location devices in the form of inverted cone-shaped protrusions (not shown in FIG. 1) are provided at the other end of the cold aisle services module 101. The cold aisle services module 101 is also provided with hasp clamps (not shown in FIG. 1) at one end for securing the cold aisle services module 101 to an adjacent cold aisle services module (not shown in FIG. 1).
[0210] FIG. 2 shows a side elevation view of the cold aisle services module 101 of FIG. 1. The parts of the cold aisle services module 101 visible in FIG. 2 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIG. 1. The gasket 112 is not shown in FIG. 2.
[0211] FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a services distribution module 201, which forms one of the prefabricated data centre elements of an embodiment of the invention and which is arranged in the data centre for carrying services outside the cold aisles (for example in the cold corridor—or cold zone—that supplies cooling air to the cold aisles in the completed data centre). The services distribution module 201 comprises a steel frame 202 and has a length 1 and a width w. Extending along the length of the services distribution module 201 are a main electrical power bus 203 and a backup electrical power bus 204. The ends of the main and backup electrical power buses 203 and 204 are provided with slot-fitting plug and play connectors 205 and 206, respectively. Even though the power buses 203 and 204 are provided with plug and play connectors, it may be that a qualified electrician makes or checks the connection, for example because of the relatively high power rating of the power buses 203 and 204. The connectors 205 and 206 engage with corresponding connectors on an adjacent services distribution module (not shown in FIG. 3). The services distribution module 201 is also provided with cable trays 207a and 207b for accommodating data centre services, such as cables, and with an earth rod 208. Connection housings 209 and 210 are provided for housing flexible connectors (not shown in FIG. 3) that are deployable to connect the main and backup electrical power buses to an adjacent cold aisle services module (not shown in FIG. 3).
[0212] FIG. 4 shows an end elevation view of the services distribution module 201 of FIG. 3. Those parts of the services distribution module 201 of FIG. 3 visible in FIG. 4 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIG. 3.
[0213] FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view of an air intake damper unit 301 (that is, the view of the air intake damper unit 301 as seen from inside the data centre when installed), which forms one of the prefabricated data centre elements of an embodiment of the invention. The air intake damper unit 301 comprises four controllable vents 302a to 302d each including multiple controllable louvres 303. The louvres 303 are continuously adjustable between fully closed and fully open positions, and are shown in a partially open position in FIG. 5. The louvres are adjusted by actuators 304 provided for each of the vents 302a to 302d (only the actuators 304 of vents 302a and 302b are shown in FIG. 5). The actuators 304 are controlled by a pre-wired vent control system 305 provided with plug-and-play connectors (not shown in FIG. 5) for connecting the vent control system to the main data centre control system. The air intake damper unit 301 is also provided with a pre-wired temperature and humidity sensor (not shown in FIG. 5) for measuring the temperature and humidity of air entering the data centre through the vents 302a to 302d. The sensor is provided with a plug-and-play connector (not shown in FIG. 5) ready for connection to the data centre control system. A smoke detection system comprising a sampling pipe 306 and a sensor unit 307 is provided on the air intake damper unit 301. The smoke detection system sensor unit 307 is pre-wired and provided with a plug-and-play connector (not shown in FIG. 5) for connection to the data centre control system. The air intake damper unit 301 also comprises a frame 308 that supports its various components. The air intake damper unit 301 could alternatively be used as an air exhaust damper unit.
[0214] FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of the air intake damper unit 301 of FIG. 5 (that is, the view of the air intake damper unit 301 as seen from outside the data centre when installed). Those parts of the air intake damper unit 301 of FIG. 5 visible in FIG. 6 are labelled with the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 5.
[0215] FIG. 7 shows a rear perspective view of a warm air recirculation damper unit 401, which forms one of the prefabricated data centre elements of an embodiment of the invention. The warm air recirculation damper unit 401 comprises two controllable vents 402a and 402b each including multiple controllable louvres 403. The louvres 403 are continuously adjustable between fully closed and fully open positions, and are shown in a partially open position in FIG. 7. The louvres are adjusted by actuators 404 provided for each of the vents 402a and 402b (see FIG. 8). The actuators 404 are controlled by a pre-wired control system provided with plug-and-play connectors (not shown in FIG. 7) for connecting the control system to the main data centre control system. The warm air recirculation damper unit 401 is also provided with a pre-wired temperature and humidity sensors (sensors not shown in FIG. 7, by sensor mounting points 405 are shown) for measuring the temperature and humidity of warm air recirculating through the vents 402a and 402b. The sensors are provided with a plug-and-play connectors (not shown in FIG. 7) ready for connection to the data centre control system. A smoke detection system comprising a sampling pipe 406 and a sensor unit 407 is provided on the warm air recirculation damper unit 401. The smoke detection system sensor unit 407 is pre-wired and provided with a plug-and-play connector (not shown in FIG. 7) for connection to the data centre control system. The warm air recirculation damper unit 401 also comprises a frame 408 that supports its various components.
[0216] FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of the warm air recirculation damper unit 401 of FIG. 7. Those parts of the warm air recirculation damper unit 401 of FIG. 7 visible in FIG. 8 are labelled with the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 7.
[0217] FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view of a vented door assembly 501, which forms one of the prefabricated data centre elements of an embodiment of the invention. The vented door assembly 501 comprises a frame 502 and a door 503, the door 503 having a vent 504 comprising a plurality of adjustable louvres 505. The adjustable louvres 505 are controlled by an actuator system provided in housing 506. The vented door assembly 501 is pre-wired and ready for connection to the data centre control system, the vented door assembly 501 having sensors for measuring the temperature and humidity in the air supply corridor and/or the cold aisle, the sensors being connected to sensor system provided in housings 506 and 507. The actuator system and sensor system are provided with plug-and-play connectors to allow fast and straightforward connection of the vented door assembly 501 to the data centre control system. Apertures 508 are provided in the frame 502 to accommodate the connector linking a services distribution module to its adjacent cold aisle services module (not shown in FIG. 9). The vented door assembly 501 is also provided with pre-wired switches 509 and electrical sockets 510.
[0218] FIG. 10 shows a top perspective view of four of the cold aisle services modules 101 of FIG. 1 assembled together. In this embodiment, the cold aisle services modules 101 are held together by means of clamps (not shown in FIG. 10).
[0219] FIG. 11 shows an end elevation view of the cold aisle services module 101 of FIG. 1 installed in a building having a roof 601 and a floor 602. Selected parts of the cold aisle services module 101 visible in FIG. 11 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIG. 1. The cold aisle services module 101 is suspended from the roof 601 of the building by means of hanging rods 603. The hanging rods 603 are fixed to fixing locations 604 provided on the roof 601 of the roof the building.
[0220] FIG. 12 shows a side elevation view of the installation of FIG. 11. Selected parts of the installation that are the same as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 and 11. In the view shown in FIG. 12, four cold aisle services modules 101 are joined together. The cold aisle services modules 101 are held together by clamps (not shown in FIG. 12).
[0221] FIG. 13 shows an end elevation view of an embodiment of the installation of FIG. 11 with racks 701 positioned under the cold aisle services module 101. Selected parts of the installation of FIG. 11 visible in FIG. 13 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIG. 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the gap between the frame 102 of the cold aisle services module 101 and the floor 602 of the building corresponds to the height of the racks 701. The floor 602, the racks 701 and the cold aisle services module 101 (including the integrated blanking portions of the cold aisle services module 101) together define a cold aisle 702.
[0222] FIG. 14 shows a side elevation view of the installation embodiment of FIG. 13. Selected parts of the embodiment that are the same as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 and 13. In the view shown in FIG. 15, four cold aisle services modules 101 are joined together. The cold aisle services modules 101 are held together by clamps (not shown in FIG. 14). Each cold aisle services module has a length 1 that corresponds to the width of four IT racks 701.
[0223] FIG. 15 shows an end elevation view of another embodiment of the installation of FIG. 11 with racks 801 positioned under the cold aisle services module 101. Selected parts of the installation of FIG. 11 visible in FIG. 15 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIG. 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the gap between the frame 102 of the cold aisle services module 101 and the floor 602 of the building is larger than corresponds to the height of the racks 801. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the cold aisle services module 101 additionally comprises bottom integrated blanking portions 801a and 801b extending downwards from the frame 102 of the cold aisle services module 101. The floor 602, the racks 801 and the cold aisle services module 101 (including the integrated blanking portions of the cold aisle services module 101) together define a cold aisle 802.
[0224] FIG. 16 shows a side elevation view of the installation embodiment of FIG. 15. Selected parts of the embodiment that are the same as shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 and 15. In the view shown in FIG. 16, four cold aisle services modules 101 are joined together. The cold aisle services modules 101 are held together by clamps (not shown in FIG. 16). Each cold aisle services module has a length 1 that corresponds to the width of four IT racks 801.
[0225] FIG. 17 shows a side elevation view of an installation of four of the cold aisle services modules 101 of FIG. 1 in a building having a roof 901 and a floor 902. Also shown in FIG. 17 is the services distribution module 201 of FIG. 3 and the vented door assembly 501 of FIG. 9. The roof 901 is provided with fixing locations 903 for the cold aisle services modules, fixing locations 904 for the services distribution module 201, and fixing location 905 for the vented door assembly 501. The cold aisle services modules 101 are suspended from the fixing locations 903 by hanging rods 906. The services distribution module 201 is suspended from the fixing locations 904 by hanging rods 907. The vented door assembly 201 is secured to the fixing location 905 by bolts (not shown). The electrical main and backup power buses 203 and 204 of the services distribution module 201 are connected to electrical power buses (not shown) on the cold aisle services modules 101 by flexible connector 908. The flexible connector 908 passes through an aperture (not shown in FIG. 17) in the frame 502 of the vented door assembly 501.
[0226] FIG. 18 shows a top plan view of a data centre 1001. The data centre 1001 comprises a building having external walls 1001a, 1001b, 1001c and 1001d. The data centre 1001 comprises air handling units 1002 and 1003 which provide cooling air to IT equipment housed in IT racks 1004 via an air supply corridor 1005 and cold aisles 1006. The air handling units are also examples of one of the prefabricated data centre elements that form the completed data centre. The cold aisles are arranged in parallel rows separated by interleaved hot aisles 1007. Vented door assemblies 1008 are provided at the ends of each cold aisle 1006 and provide personnel access to the cold aisles 1006 from the air supply corridor, the vented door assemblies 1008 having a controllable vent (not shown in FIG. 18) for regulating the flow of cooling air into each cold aisle 1006 from the air supply corridor 1005. Each cold aisle 1006 is enclosed at the top by five cold aisle services modules 1009. Each cold aisle 1006 comprises 40 IT racks 1004 arranged in two parallel rows. The cold aisles are defined by the floor of the building of the data centre 1001, the five cold aisle services modules 1009 and the two rows of 20 IT racks 104. A wall 1010 is provided to close off the end of each cold aisle 1006 opposite the vented door assembly 1008 of the cold aisle 1006. A wall 1011 is provided at the end of each hot aisle 1007 to separate the hot aisles 1007 from the air supply corridor 1005. At the end of each hot aisle 1007 opposite to the wall 1011, the hot aisles 1007 open out into an air exhaust corridor 1012.
[0227] Air exhaust damper units 1013 are provided in the wall of the air exhaust corridor 1012 for controlling the flow of air out of the data centre 1001. The data centre 1001 also comprise an air mixing chamber 1014 connected to each of the air handling units 1002 and 1003. The air mixing chambers 1014 are separated from the air exhaust corridor 1012 by walls, in which walls are provided air recirculation damper units 1015 for controlling the flow of warm air from the air exhaust corridor 1012 into the air mixing chamber 1014. An air intake damper unit 1016 is provided in another wall of each of the two air mixing chambers for controlling the flow of outside air into the data centre 1001. In an embodiment of the data centre 1001 of FIG. 18, each of the cold aisle services modules 1009 is the cold aisle services module 101 of FIG. 1, each of the vented door assemblies 1008 is the vented door assembly 501 of FIG. 9, each of the air intake damper units 1016 and the air exhaust damper units 1013 is the air inlet/exhaust damper unit 301 of FIG. 5, and each of the air recirculation damper units 1015 is the air recirculation damper unit 401 of FIG. 7. The air supply corridor 1005 is defined in part by walls 1001a, 1001b, 1001c and 1011 of the building, as well as by the vented door assemblies 1008. The air exhaust corridor 1012 is defined in part by the walls 1001d and 1010 of the building. The air mixing chambers 1014 are defined in part by walls 1001a and 1001c of the building. Other walls of the building are shown more clearly in FIG. 18. In an embodiment of the data centre 1001 of FIG. 18, walls 1001a, 1001b, 1001c and 1001d are external walls of the building. Walls 1001a, 1001b and 1001c, which define on their interior a surface in the cold area of the data centre 1001 (the cold area being made up of the air supply corridor 1005 and the cold aisles 1006), have an average U-value of 0.15 W/m.sup.2K and have no portion extending from the exterior of the data centre 1001 to an interior surface of the cold area having a cross-sectional area of 1 cm.sup.2 with a U-value greater than 0.5 W/m.sup.2K. Walls 1001a, 1001b and 1001c also have an average air permeability of 0.1 m.sup.3/m.sup.2h at 50 Pa, and have no region arranged to define a 1 cm.sup.2 part of a surface in the cold area with an air permeability of greater than 0.5 m.sup.3/m.sup.2h at 50 Pa. Wall 1001d, which defines on its interior a surface in the hot area of the data centre 1001 (the hot area being made up of air exhaust corridor 1012 and the hot aisles 1007), has an average U-value of 0.2 W/m.sup.2K and has no portion extending from the exterior of the data centre 1001 to an interior surface of the hot area having a cross-sectional area of 1 cm.sup.2 with a U-value greater than 1.0 W/m.sup.2K. Wall 1001d also has an average air permeability of 0.5 m.sup.3/m.sup.2h at 50 Pa, and has no region arranged to define a 1 cm.sup.2 part of a surface in the hot area with an air permeability of greater than 1 m.sup.3/m.sup.2h at 50 Pa.
[0228] FIG. 19 shows a top plan view of the building of the data centre 1001 of FIG. 18 prior to installation of the prefabricated data centre elements. The parts of the building of FIG. 18 shown in FIG. 19 are labelled with the same reference numerals used in FIG. 18. The building comprises various internal walls that are set out to cooperate with the prefabricated data centre elements to define the various parts of the data centre when those elements are installed. In particular, the building is provided with various internal walls 1010 and 1011 that cooperate with the vented door assemblies, the cold aisle services modules and the IT racks to define the air supply corridor, the hot and cold aisles and the air exhaust corridor when those elements are installed. The building also comprises internal walls 1101 that are positioned to cooperate with the air handling units to define the air mixing chambers and the air supply corridor. The building further comprises internal walls 1102 that are positioned to cooperate with the internal walls 1101 and the air handling units to define data centre control rooms 1103. Internal walls 1102 are also positioned to cooperate with the IT racks to define hot aisles. Apertures 1104 are provided in wall 1001d to accommodate the air intake damper units and the air exhaust damper units. Apertures 1105 are provided in internal wall 1101 to accommodate the air recirculation damper units.
[0229] FIG. 20 shows an end elevation view of the cold aisle services module 101 of FIG. 1 in a transport configuration and mounted on a secondary steel frame 1301. In the transport configuration shown in FIG. 20, the hot aisle service portions 106a and 106b have been detached from the frame 102 of the cold aisle services module 101 and temporarily secured within the body of the cold aisle services module 101 using cable ties 1302. The secondary steel frame 1301 comprises detachable wheels 1303 allowing the frame 1301 and the module 101 to be conveniently moved around on a floor. The secondary steel frame 1301 also comprises forklift slots 1304 to allow the frame 1301 and the module 101 to be conveniently picked up using a vehicle with a forklift attachment.
[0230] FIG. 21 shows an end elevation view of three of the cold aisle services modules 101 of FIG. 1 stacked on top of each other on the secondary steel frame 1301 of FIG. 20. Using the stacked arrangement shown in FIG. 21, three cold aisle services modules can be conveniently and safely transported and manipulated at once. Alternatively, four or more cold aisle services modules could be stacked on top of each other on the secondary steel frame 1301.
[0231] FIG. 22 shows a rear elevation view of the vented door assembly 501 of FIG. 9 mounted on a secondary steel frame 1401. The vented door assembly 501 is secured to the secondary steel frame 1401 by means of bolts 1402. The secondary steel frame 1401 supports the vented door assembly 501 during transport, and the secure joining of the frame 1401 to the door assembly 501 by means of the bolts 1402 allows the door assembly 501 to be rotated from an upright to a flat position without the door assembly distorting. The secondary steel frame 1401 also acts as a jig. For example, various parts of the frame 502 of the vented door assembly 501 may be bolted to the secondary steel frame 1402 during construction of the vented door assembly 501. The secondary steel frame 1401 comprises a fastening means 1403 allowing the frame 1401 to be fasted to a lifting and tilting device (not shown in FIG. 22). In order to rotate the secondary steel frame 1401 with the vented door assembly 501 attached, the lifting and tilting device is fastened to the frame 1401 using the fastening means, then lifted and tilted. The secondary steel frame 1401 also comprises forklift slots 1404 (see FIG. 22) to allow the frame 1401 and the vented door assembly 501 to be conveniently picked up using a vehicle with a forklift attachment when the frame 1401 and the vented door assembly 501 has been rotated to a horizontal position.
[0232] FIG. 23 shows a side elevation view of the vented door assembly 501 and secondary steel frame 1401 of FIG. 22. Certain parts of the vented door assembly 501 and the secondary steel frame 1401 are labelled using the same referenced numerals used in FIG. 22.
[0233] FIG. 24 shows a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method of constructing a data centre according to the invention. The method shown in the flow chart of FIG. 24 comprises a step 2001 of providing a building having a floor, walls and a roof, followed by a step 2002 of checking that the building meets certain pre-specified criteria, including requiring an aperture for forming an air inlet and an aperture for forming an air outlet. Simultaneously to the performance of steps 2001 and 2002, the method comprises a step 2003 of providing multiple prefabricated data centre elements including an air handling unit, multiple cold aisle services modules, one or more services distribution modules and one or more damper units. The method of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24 thus efficiently allows the manufacture of the prefabricated data centre elements to be completed while building construction is ongoing. The embodiment of FIG. 24 further comprises a step 2004 of installing in the interior of the building provided by steps 2001 and 2002 the prefabricated data centre elements provided by step 2003 to provide a data centre, followed by a step 2005 of installing IT equipment in the data centre.
[0234] According to a further embodiment of the method of the invention, the step 2002 of checking that the building meets certain pre-specified criteria includes using a template to check that the building is provided with correctly positioned fixing locations for fixing the prefabricated data centre elements to the building. The template comprises an elongate steel member marked with the correct spacing for at least two separate fixing locations, the steel being high-quality steel that has an acceptable low variation of size when exposed to variations in temperature. According to a further embodiment of the method of the invention, the step 2002 of checking that the building meets certain pre-specified criteria includes checking that the walls, floor and ceiling of the building have appropriate levels of insulation to avoid condensation of water in the data centre when the temperature outside the building is at expected winter temperature lows. According to a further embodiment of the method of the invention, the step 2002 comprises checking that the walls, floor and roof of the building have a sufficient air tightness to provide a fan power degradation of no more than 5%. According to a further embodiment of the method of the invention, the step 2002 of checking that the building meets certain pre-specified criteria includes checking that the fixing locations provided for the prefabricated data centre elements have appropriate load-bearing capacities, checking that the building is provided with an appropriate power source, checking that the building is adequately weatherproof, checking that the building includes a suitable amount of open space, and checking that the building includes a suitably large obstruction-free space to accommodate an air handling unit.
[0235] FIG. 25 shows a top perspective view of a set 3000 of prefabricated data centre elements packaged up into a transport configuration. The set 3000 of data centre elements comprises two air handling units 3001 and 3002 which are wrapped up as oversize consignments, two external plant decks 3003 and 3004 accommodating mechanical cooling equipment, the external plant decks 3003 and 3004 also being wrapped up as oversize consignments, and six standard size (40 ft. long) shipping containers 3005 packed with prefabricated data centre elements including: thirty cold aisle services modules, six vented door assemblies, six services distribution modules, two air intake damper units, two air exhaust damper units and two air recirculation damper units. The mechanical cooling equipment of the external plant decks 3003 and 3004 provides cooling fluid to the air handling units of the data centre for use when ‘free air cooling’ does not meet the cooling requirements of the IT equipment in the data centre, or on occasions when the ambient air outside the data centre is unsuitable for use as cooling air, for example in the event of excess smoke and/or particulate levels in the ambient air. The air intake/exhaust/recirculation damper units and the vented door assemblies are rotated into a horizontal orientation for packing into the shipping containers 3005 because the height of those elements is too large to fit into a standard shipping container when in the vertical working orientation. In the transport configuration shown in FIG. 25, the set 3000 of prefabricated data centre elements occupies a significantly smaller volume that those elements occupy when in the deployed configuration of the set 3000 (shown in FIG. 26). Each shipping container 3005 occupies a volume of about 77 m.sup.3, and each of the two air handling units 3001 and 3002 occupies a volume of about 92 m.sup.3 when packaged, giving a total consignment volume (excluding the external plant decks 3003 and 3004) of about 646 m.sup.3.
[0236] FIG. 26 shows a top perspective view of the set of prefabricated data centre elements of FIG. 25 in their deployed configuration in a data centre building envelope 3010. The two external plant decks 3003 and 3004 are installed on site outside of the data centre building envelope 3010. The two air handling units 3001 and 3002, thirty cold aisle services modules 3011, six vented door assemblies 3012, six services distribution modules (not shown in FIG. 28), two air intake damper units 3013, two air exhaust damper units 3014 and two air recirculation damper units 3015 are installed inside the data centre building envelope 3010. The six services distribution modules (not shown in FIG. 26) are suspended in an air supply corridor running along the side of the data centre building envelope 3010 adjacent to the vented door assemblies 3012. The data centre building envelope occupied by the prefabricated data centre elements (excluding the two external plant decks 3003 and 3004) has a length l of around 40 m, a width w of around 15 m, a height of around 3 m. It will be understood that the volume occupied by the prefabricated data centre elements in their deployed position is thus 1,800 m.sup.3 (giving a transport volume to deployed volume ratio of about 1:3. The deployed configuration volume of the thirty cold aisle services modules 3011, six vented door assemblies 3012, six services distribution modules (not shown in FIG. 28), two air exhaust damper units 3014 and two air recirculation damper units 3015 (which, as shown in FIG. 25, are packed into six shipping containers having a total volume of 462 m.sup.3) is around 1,500 m.sup.3 (giving a transport volume to deployed volume ratio of around 1:3). Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. In particular, it will be appreciated that the integrated blanking portions of the cold aisle services module may be secured to the module by any means, for example using clips or rivets, by slotting into slots provided in the frame of the module, but using an adhesive or by means of screws and/or bolts, for example. The frame of the data centre services modules may be made by any suitable material, such as a plastic material, provided that the material provides an adequate level of rigidity and strength to support the weight of the data centre services and the integrated blanking portions. The data centre services modules (including the cold aisle services modules and the services distribution modules) may be secured to the structure of the building by any suitable means. For example the modules may be hung from a ceiling or from beams/joists using hanging rods or cables. Additionally or alternatively, the modules may be secured into slots provided on the building using slot-engaging portions provided on the modules, and vice versa. Additionally or alternatively, the modules may be attached to the building by bolting them directly to the ceiling and/or beams/joists of the building. It will be appreciated that the modules may be separated from ceiling and/or beams/joists of the building by any or no distance. For example, where the modules are installed in a space within a building having a ceiling height of 4 metres or greater, the modules may be separated from the ceiling by a distance of 1 metre or greater, whereas if the ceiling height is only 3 metres, the modules may be secured in direct contact with the ceiling.
[0237] FIG. 27 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the services distribution module 4201 of the eighth aspect of the invention. The services distribution module 4201 comprises a steel frame 4202. Extending along the length of the services distribution module 4201 are a main electrical power bus 4203 and a backup electrical power bus 4204. The ends of the main and backup electrical power buses 4203 and 4204 are provided with slot-fitting plug and play connectors 4205 and 4206, respectively. The connectors 4205 and 4206 engage with corresponding connectors on an adjacent services distribution module via busway joint connectors (not shown in FIG. 27). The services distribution module 4201 is also provided with cable trays 4207a and 4207b for accommodating data centre services, such as cables, and with an earth rod or earth tape (not shown in FIG. 27). Connection housings 4209 and 4210 are provided for housing one end of flexible connectors 4211 and 4212. The flexible connectors 4211 and 4212 are shown in the transport configuration in FIG. 27, with the distal ends 4213 and 4214 of the connectors releasably connected to the frame 4202 with brackets (not shown in FIG. 27).
[0238] FIG. 28 shows a top plan view of the services distribution module 4201 of FIG. 27 with the flexible connectors 4211 and 4212 shown in the deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the distal ends 4213 and 4214 of the flexible connectors 4211 and 4212 are connected to a cold aisle services module (not shown in FIG. 28). The remaining parts of the services distribution module 4201 of FIG. 28 are labelled with the same numerals used in FIG. 27.
[0239] FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a damper unit 5301 according to the ninth aspect of the invention. The damper unit 5301 comprises four controllable vents 5302a to 5302d each including a set of controllable louvres 5303. Each controllable vent is in the form of a shroud around each set of louvres. The louvres 5303 are continuously adjustable between fully closed and fully open positions, and are shown in a partially open position in FIG. 29. The louvres are adjusted by actuators 5304 provided for each of the vents 5302a to 5302d (only the actuators 5304 of vents 5302a and 5302b are shown in FIG. 5). The actuators 5304 are controlled by a pre-wired vent control system 5305 provided with plug-and-play connectors (not shown in FIG. 29) for connecting the vent control system to the main data centre control system. The air intake damper unit 5301 is also provided with a pre-wired temperature and humidity sensor (not shown in FIG. 29) for measuring the temperature and humidity of air entering the data centre through the vents 5302a to 5302d. The sensor is provided with a plug-and-play connector (not shown in FIG. 29) ready for connection to the data centre control system. A smoke detection system comprising a sampling pipe 5306 and a sensor unit 5307 is provided on the air intake damper unit 5301. The damper unit 5301 also comprises a frame 5308 that supports its various components. The damper unit 5301 could be used as an air exhaust intake damper unit or as an air exhaust damper unit, for example. The vent control system 5305 and the sensor unit 5307 are each located on the frame 5308 behind the outwardly extending edges of the shrouds of the controllable vents 5302a to 5302d. The shrouds help to shield the vent control system 5305 and the sensor unit 5307 from moisture entrained in air flowing through the damper unit.
[0240] FIG. 30 shows an end elevation view of an embodiment of a supporting frame assembly 6300 according to the seventh aspect of the invention. The frame assembly 6300 is shown supporting four prefabricated data centre elements 6305 in FIG. 30. The supporting frame assembly 6300 comprises a steel frame 6301, wheels 6303 and a brake in the form of a jack for lifting two of the wheels off of the floor (the jack is not shown in FIG. 30). The supporting frame assembly 6300 also comprises forklift slots 6304 to allow the frame 6301 to be conveniently picked up using a vehicle with a forklift attachment. The supporting frame assembly further comprises support posts 6307 for supporting a prefabricated data centre element 6305 on the frame 6301. The posts 6307 pass through holes in the prefabricated data centre element 6305 and are provided with a flange 6306a on which the element 6305 rests. The prefabricated data centre elements 6305 are not suitable for stacking directly on top of each other, and so further support posts 6307 connectable to the tops of lower support posts 6306 are provided for carrying further prefabricated data centre elements 6305. The further support post 6307 also pass through holes in the further elements 6305 and having a flanges 6307a for supporting the further elements 6305. The frame 6301 is provided with brackets (not shown in FIG. 30) for securing the support posts 6306 and the further support posts 6307 when the posts are not in use.
[0241] It will be appreciated that the vented door assemblies are not an essential requirement for forming a data centre. For example, it may be that no regulation of air flow is required between the air supply corridor and the cold aisles.
[0242] It will be appreciated that the warm air produced by the IT equipment may or may not be encapsulated. For example, it may be that the hot aisles are in free fluid communication with all internal areas of the building other than the air supply corridor and the cold aisles. Alternatively, it may be that the warm air is entrained by additional blanking portions provided to encapsulate the warm air in the hot aisles and in the air exhaust corridor.
[0243] It will be appreciated that the method of the present invention may be used to construct any size of data centre. In particular, it will be appreciated that the method of the invention is fully scalable from relatively small data centres comprising 20 racks of IT equipment or fewer, up to large data centres comprising 500 racks of IT equipment or more. It will be appreciated that the method of the present invention may be used to add capacity to an existing data centre, and or complete an initial or intermediate phase of part of a larger data centre installation.
[0244] It will be appreciated that the particular pre-specified criteria may differ as between different data centre installations. For example, in certain countries (such as countries with warmer climates), cold-bridging may not be of concern. Furthermore, it may be that for certain classifications of data centre, such as for Tier 3 data centres, more stringent pre-specified criteria are required than for other classifications of data centre, such as Tier 2 or Tier 1 data centres.
[0245] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.
