Data center construction is accelerating. Infrastructure decisions that once had years to evolve now carry immediate, lasting consequences. Approximately 137 new hyperscale data centers came online in 2024 alone. Global capacity is projected to reach 200 GW by 2030, requiring roughly $3 trillion in investment. Flooring affects cooling architecture, load distribution, electrostatic discharge (ESD) risk […]
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Data centers are the unseen engines of our digital world, fueling everything from AI innovation to global connectivity. Their rapid expansion sparks vital conversations about resource consumption and environmental impact. Yet, these discussions often overlook the industry’s rapid advancements and proactive strategies. This article offers a balanced perspective on data center growth. Below, we address […]
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Data center flooring is a critical infrastructure component that affects cooling efficiency, equipment reliability and operational safety. When issues arise, they can manifest as subtle signs — a slight panel deflection, an unexplained equipment failure or a gradual increase in cooling costs. Understanding the nine structural and environmental risks that cause data center flooring […]
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Data loss is a daily risk for businesses, and proper protection is critical. Data breaches can cost organizations millions per incident, and as businesses become increasingly data-dependent, the stakes of poor security continue to rise. Fortunately, there are proven ways to keep your data safe. By taking preventive action, your company can avoid massive financial […]
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When working in information technology, a thorough understanding of units of energy and proper use of terminology is crucial to ensuring accuracy in your role. Two commonly used and often misunderstood terms are watts and British thermal units (BTUs). The more accurate your understanding of these terms, the better you’ll perform. However, while these terms […]
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Designing a data center starts with creating ideal operating conditions for the equipment inside. Temperature, humidity, airflow and environmental control directly influence performance, reliability and long‑term uptime. Designers developed four categories to standardize those expectations. Tier I is the simplest, while Tier IV facilities meet the most rigorous requirements. Aligning your environment with the appropriate […]
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Many companies rely on data center storage to keep their information secure in an on-site location, off-premises building or a combination of the two. With the amount of running equipment housed within these buildings, temperature regulation is essential. Between the heat from your IT loads, the external environment and weather patterns, many factors can influence […]
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Data center failures don’t always announce themselves with alarms or error messages. Sometimes, the most destructive threats operate silently as microscopic particles accumulate on circuit boards, heat sinks and cooling infrastructure. These airborne contaminants may be invisible to facility managers walking the data hall, but they cause premature equipment failure every day. Particulate count testing […]
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Data centers consume 415 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, a figure projected to more than double by 2030. Cooling systems alone account for up to 40% of that load, putting facility managers under constant pressure to reduce power usage effectiveness (PUE) without massive infrastructure investments. Most efficiency strategies focus on large-scale interventions such as hot-aisle containment, economizers and variable-speed […]
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Linear tubes and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have been the standard for office and facility lighting for many years. However, a combination of environmental targets and health concerns has triggered a nationwide legislative shift toward a phase-out of fluorescent tubes. For facility managers and IT directors, this is an immediate supply chain reality. As states […]
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