Indoor air quality (IAQ), though critical, is an often overlooked aspect of data centre operations. The quality of the air within these facilities impacts the performance and longevity of the sensitive IT equipment housed within the Data Centre, explains Manoj Parekh, Managing Director, OCS Group-India
One of the most pressing challenges in data centres is maintaining appropriate humidity levels. Data centres are typically equipped with high-performance IT servers that generate considerable heat. If the humidity level rises excessively, condensation can occur, creating a conducive environment for mould growth and potentially leading to short circuits in equipment. Conversely, excessively low humidity can result in static electricity buildup, endangering sensitive electronic components.
Through a targeted and methodical approach to cleaning, we can ensure compliance with ISO standards and enhance operational efficiency. Maintaining IAQ in a data centre is important to promote reliability and performance in an increasingly demanding technological landscape.” – Manoj Parekh
Additionally, controlling dust ingress — both visible and non-visible — is a significant hurdle. Dust accumulation can damage equipment and impede airflow, leading to overheating and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the equipment and cooling systems.
The sources of these contaminants are multiple: dirt on employees’ shoes or on their clothes, or particulates released from unpacked boxes or equipment such as fan belts & servers. Moreover, outside air can contribute to airborne particulates whenever doors are opened, adversely impacting the indoor air quality.
Temperature control is another critical issue within data centres. Inadequate cooling not only elevates the risk of equipment failure but can also result in the emission of VOCs, which may further contaminate the air. Therefore, balancing the thermal load while ensuring adequate ventilation remains a challenge.
Excessive human movement in and around data centres can affect IAQ too. Each entry and exit allows contaminants into
the IT space, making it imperative to limit access to essential personnel only.
Also, implementing positive pressure ventilation systems can significantly reduce the ingress of contaminants when doors are opened. These sophisticated systems can efficiently remove or dilute airborne pollutants.
The choice of air filter depends on the specific contaminants present in the data centre environment. Mechanical filters can effectively capture particulates, whereas activated carbon filters are adept at absorbing gaseous pollutants. In more complex scenarios, ozone generators might be employed to handle both particulates and VOCs, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to contamination control.
Establishing a routine to damp-mop floors in non-IT spaces and using foot wipe pads at entrances can dramatically reduce the introduction of particulates into the facility.
Moreover, maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity levels is critical to preventing condensation and electrostatic discharge. Utilizing advanced climate control systems that automatically adjust conditions based on real-time measurements fosters an environment less conducive to equipment failure and air contamination.
These practices, while seemingly simple, are foundational in maintaining optimal IAQ. However, the most important practice to improve IAQ in the white space area of a data centre is cleaning according to cleanroom standards: ISO 14644:2015 Class 8.
OCS has successfully cleaned 850,000sqft of white space area across multiple data centre clients throughout India, encompassing over 850 server racks. The initiative aimed to address significant challenges faced by the data centre clients in maintaining optimal operational conditions within their facilities.
“Our data centre clients encountered several pressing challenges. First, they required a dust-free environment, free of non-visible dust particles, which are detrimental to sensitive IT equipment. Second, their clientele mandated adherence to cleanroom standards as prescribed by ISO 14644:2015 Class 8. This requirement became critical during audits and site inspections. Third, the data centre clients faced issues related to IT equipment uptime and failures, compounded by cooling inefficiencies that threatened the operational stability of their data centres.
“To address these challenges, we focused on maintaining a dust-free environment in compliance with cleanroom standards and the associated controlled environment of Class 8. This involved implementing rigorous cleaning protocols tailored to the specific needs of data centres and aligned to meet the stringent requirements of cleanrooms and associated controlled environments. The approach incorporated advanced cleaning techniques and specialized equipment to ensure the effective removal of dust and particulate matter.
“The solution yielded significant benefits for the data centre clients. Notably, there was an enhancement in cooling efficiency, which led to a reduction in power consumption — a crucial factor for data centre operations. Additionally, our intervention mitigated the effects of humidity and electrostatic charge, further safeguarding the IT equipment.
“Most importantly, we achieved improved equipment uptime, thereby preventing potential failures that could disrupt operations.”
The importance of ensuring good IAQ in data centres cannot be overstated, given the potential ramifications on health, equipment integrity, and operational efficiency. Challenges such as maintaining humidity levels, controlling dust ingress, managing temperature, and restricting excessive human movement must be systematically addressed.
By implementing effective ventilation and filtration systems, enforcing regular cleaning protocols, and maintaining optimal environmental conditions, data centres can ensure a healthier and more efficient workspace.
Industry Standards followed by OCS to maintain Data Centre IAQ:
• ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (ANSI Approved)
• ISO 14644-1:2015 Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments Class 8
• ANSI/ISA-71.04.2013: Environmental Conditions for Process Measurement and Control Systems: Airborne Contaminants
• Gaseous and particulate contaminants guideline for Data Centres (ASHARAE 2009)
• IS 14322:1996 (RA: 2016) – corrosion of metals & alloys – corrosivity of atmosphere – measurement of pollution – methods
• IS 14191: 1995 – corrosion of metals & alloys – classification of corrosivity of atmospheres.
