Specialized engineering systems in this new data center result in cost savings and increased operational security.

Converting an old hospital cafeteria into a university data center provided a unique challenge for FSB’s architectural and engineering team, and they were more than up to the task. Housed in the basement of the former Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma, the Enterprise Data Center is a secure, state-of-the-art facility, with features that enhance safety and greatly reduce operating costs.

The old cafeteria’s basement location presented design challenges for the team, specifically with regard to its HVAC systems. To prevent water seepage and allow room for the necessary duct work, much of the floor was removed and replaced. To ensure that the servers and other equipment remain cool and high-functioning, the new data center contains a triple redundant cooling system. The electrical system has a similar triple-redundant configuration.

For a budget-conscious public university, the operating costs are lowered through use of a raw air economizer, which allows the mechanical systems to provide 100% outside air to cool the data center whenever outside air temperatures are below 60°F. This outside air eliminates the need for chilled water, which in turn significantly reduces the amount of electricity required to operate. The economizer system also is configured with a humidifier, which prevents the buildup of static electricity which could harm the data center’s servers and other equipment.

FSB’s team also took the unusual step of writing an operations manual for the data center staff. The book contains step-by-step procedure instructions for staff to follow to keep the center operational during any type of mechanical failure or emergency scenario.