Overview
Server rooms, data centres, telecom shelters, laboratories and control rooms need cooling that runs all year and holds temperature and humidity in a narrow band. Comfort split or ductable units are not built for this duty. We supply, install and maintain precision air conditioning (PAC) and UPS systems from Vertiv for such spaces.
Precision AC vs comfort AC
- Precision units are designed for continuous operation through the year, including winter
- They control both temperature and humidity closely, which protects electronics from static and condensation
- Most of their capacity goes into sensible cooling, because IT equipment gives off dry heat
- They support redundancy, so one unit can be on standby and take over automatically
Sizing and layout
The cooling load comes mainly from the IT equipment, so we start from the rack power, add lighting, people and the room envelope, and plan for future racks. Units can supply air from below a raised floor or directly into the room, and hot and cold aisles are arranged so cold air reaches the server intakes. An N+1 arrangement, where one extra unit is installed beyond the required number, is common for rooms that cannot afford downtime.
UPS
The same rooms usually need an online UPS for clean, uninterrupted power to the IT load. We size the UPS for the connected load and the required backup time, and plan the batteries, input and output distribution and bypass arrangement with the client's electrical team.
Maintenance
Precision cooling and UPS systems need regular checks of filters, coils, humidifiers, refrigerant pressures, alarms, batteries and changeover, so that a fault is found before it causes downtime. We provide scheduled maintenance for both.
Where it is used
Server rooms, data centres, telecom shelters, hospital IT rooms, laboratories, control rooms and electrical panel rooms.
What our scope includes
- Vertiv precision air conditioning supply and installation
- Room and rack based cooling layouts
- N+1 redundancy with automatic changeover
- Online UPS sizing and installation
- Temperature, humidity and leak monitoring options
- Scheduled maintenance of PAC and UPS
Typical technical data
| Duty | Continuous, all-year operation |
|---|---|
| Control | Close control of temperature and humidity |
| Airflow | Downflow (raised floor) or upflow / room discharge |
| Redundancy | N+1 arrangement where required |
| Power | Online UPS with battery backup sized to the load |
Figures are typical ranges for equipment we supply. Final selection depends on the heat load calculation and the manufacturer's data for the chosen model.
How we execute it
Survey and heat load
Site measurements and a room-wise load calculation.
Selection and BOQ
Equipment choice, layouts and itemised bill of quantities.
Installation
Equipment, piping, ducting, drains, electrical and controls.
Testing
Pressure test, vacuum, air balancing and performance readings.
Handover
Commissioning report, as-built drawings and operator training.
Maintenance
AMC with scheduled visits and breakdown support.
Frequently asked questions
Why not use a split AC for a server room?
Split ACs are built for comfort cooling for part of the day. A server room needs continuous cooling all year, close humidity control and automatic standby. Precision AC units are designed for exactly that duty.
What is N+1 redundancy?
It means installing one more cooling unit than the load needs, so that if any one unit fails or is under maintenance, the others still carry the full load without the room overheating.
Do you supply Vertiv precision AC and UPS?
Yes. We supply, install and maintain Vertiv precision air conditioning and UPS systems for server rooms, data centres and control rooms.
How is the UPS size decided?
By the total connected load in kVA or kW, a margin for growth, and the backup time required on battery, along with the type of load and the electrical distribution in the room.