Why ASHRAE is concerned about edge data centers

Overview

The article is commentary on the edge data center technical bulletin that ASHRAE TC 9.9 published in October 2020. The author explains that edge sites cannot always maintain a controlled white space during maintenance, which creates risks for IT equipment that differ from those in large facilities. Rather than summarising the bulletin, the article offers commentary explaining why edge sites need to be treated differently from large data centers.

The core problem is doors being opened for maintenance. IT equipment can then be exposed to rapid temperature change, rain and pollution. In large data centers, controlled zones and entry areas make such exposure easier to avoid; small edge sites often lack these provisions. As a result, at an edge site the maintenance procedure itself becomes a design element that determines the thermal and environmental safety of the equipment.

The second issue is equipment robustness. According to the article, much IT equipment is designed for large sites where failure is tolerated, and some suppliers no longer carry out lifecycle-based testing. Equipment built for large facilities may therefore be less robust in an edge environment. The author therefore implies that supplier claims should be questioned and related to edge environmental conditions when equipment is selected.

Recommendations include good site selection, maintenance without exposure to outside conditions and remote environmental monitoring. The piece also recalls that ASHRAE Thermal Guidelines were first published in 2004 and were then in their fourth edition. It is commentary and does not replace the bulletin itself. These recommendations show that structural and operational measures need to be considered together when designing edge sites.

Key points

1. ASHRAE published an edge data center Technical Bulletin in October 2020.
2. Doors opened during maintenance expose IT to rapid temperature change, rain and pollution.
3. Recommended: good site selection, maintenance without exposure to outside conditions and remote environmental monitoring.
4. ASHRAE Thermal Guidelines were first published in 2004 (then in their fourth edition).
5. Much IT equipment is designed for large sites where failure is tolerated.
6. Some suppliers no longer do lifecycle-based testing.
7. Edge sites cannot always keep the white space controlled during maintenance.

Using it in design

• Add a vestibule or airlock option to the edge enclosure template.
• Enable remote temperature and relative humidity monitoring by default.
• When selecting an edge location, assess exposure to rain, pollution and temperature.
• Plan maintenance procedures so work can be done without opening equipment to the outside.
• Verify the environmental tolerance of IT equipment intended for edge use.

Who should read it

Engineers and operations teams designing edge, micro data center and small-site facilities.

Related standards

• ASHRAE TC 9.9 Edge Technical Bulletin

Publication details

Authors

A. Lawrence

Publisher

Uptime Institute Journal (Uptime Institute)

Year

2020

Document language

English

Source type

Industry body

Access

Free to read

Licence

Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation