{"id":8060,"date":"2021-12-31T14:44:44","date_gmt":"2021-12-31T12:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/?p=8060"},"modified":"2021-12-31T14:44:45","modified_gmt":"2021-12-31T12:44:45","slug":"hvac-heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-in-the-data-centres","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/hvac-heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-in-the-data-centres\/","title":{"rendered":"HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) in the data centres."},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time-approximately:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. In computing and especially in\u00a0enterprise data centers, HVAC systems control the ambient environment (temperature, humidity, air flow and air filtering) and must be planned for and operated along with other data center components such as\u00a0computing hardware,\u00a0cabling,\u00a0data storage, fire protection,\u00a0physical security\u00a0systems and power.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/onlineImages\/sheldon_robert.jpg\" alt=\"Robert Sheldon\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/contributor\/Robert-Sheldon\">Robert Sheldon<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost all IT hardware comes with environmental requirements that include acceptable temperature and humidity ranges. These requirements are usually described in product specifications or physical planning guides. A data center HVAC system must take into account all environmental requirements across the full spectrum of devices, along with applicable fire, safety, security and ecological concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For this reason, an HVAC system must be carefully planned, implemented and maintained. It should also include\u00a0disaster preparedness. For example, a data center might implement redundant HVAC components, keep spare parts on hand or maintain backup systems such as portable air conditioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"7 Steps to Building a Disaster Recovery Plan\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ipf3nXsgC3M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does HVAC encompass?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An HVAC system maintains a regulated temperature, controls the level of humidity and ensures optimal air quality. As the HVAC acronym indicates, the system includes the following components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Heating.<\/strong>\u00a0An HVAC system includes some type of equipment &#8212; such as furnace, boiler or heat pump &#8212; for generating heat that is used to warm an internal space. The equipment might target a room, zone or entire building. Heating equipment uses different methods to heat a space (conduction, convection or\u00a0radiation) and uses different types of resources to generate the heat, such as electricity, propane, heating oil or natural gas. Although heating is usually not the primary concern in data center HVAC, it&#8217;s still an important factor, particularly in cold climates, where heat might be needed to protect outdoor equipment or components such as\u00a0chillers.<\/li><li><strong>Ventilation.<\/strong>\u00a0A comprehensive system of ventilation is essential to effective HVAC. Ventilation is a separate mechanism from heating or air conditioning but works in conjunction with both, maintaining the airflow necessary to effectively heat or cool a building. In addition, it exchanges inside air with outside air to ensure a fresh supply. Ventilation can also play a role in filtering the air or maintaining the proper level of humidity, depending on the heating or cooling system. Proper ventilation is especially important in data centers, where it&#8217;s used in concert with air conditioning to cool\u00a0IT infrastructure. Data centers employ a variety of strategies to ventilate and cool their systems, depending on the type of equipment and their layout.<\/li><li><strong>Air conditioning.<\/strong>\u00a0An HVAC system includes some type of equipment to cool circulating air. The approach to cooling can vary significantly from one commercial space to the next. For example, air conditioning equipment might be located inside the building or on the outside, such as on the roof. It might also use water to control temperatures, rather than coolant. In addition, it might play a role in filtering the air or controlling humidity, working in conjunction with the ventilation system. Data centers rely heavily on air conditioning to ensure that IT infrastructure can operate properly, using a variety of strategies to cool and ventilate their systems.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Some-alternative-data-center-cooling-methods.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Some-alternative-data-center-cooling-methods-150x150.png\" alt=\"Some alternative data center cooling methods. Click the image above to enlarge.\" class=\"wp-image-8061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Some-alternative-data-center-cooling-methods-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Some-alternative-data-center-cooling-methods-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><strong>Some alternative data center cooling methods<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although HVAC components are independent systems, they operate as an integrated whole whose goal is to properly control and maintain the climate of an indoor space. In recent years, commercial HVAC systems have started to become more automated and more intelligent, incorporating advanced technologies such as\u00a0machine learning,\u00a0deep learning\u00a0and\u00a0predictive analytics.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HVAC vs. air conditioning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Discussions around HVAC often raise the question: What is the difference between\u00a0air conditioning\u00a0and HVAC? However, it would be better to ask how air conditioning fits into the larger HVAC system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Air conditioning should be thought of as an integral component of HVAC, along with heating and ventilation, rather than something different from HVAC. Air conditioning works hand-in-hand with ventilation to cool the circulating air, just like heating works hand-in-hand with ventilation to warm the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/adiabatic-cooling-systems-infographic.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/adiabatic-cooling-systems-infographic-150x150.png\" alt=\"adiabatic cooling systems infographic. Click the image above to enlarge.\" class=\"wp-image-8062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/adiabatic-cooling-systems-infographic-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/adiabatic-cooling-systems-infographic-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><strong>Unlike traditional computer room air conditioning units, adiabatic cooling systems rely on wet filters and air flow.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Some data center HVAC systems incorporate\u00a0plenums\u00a0into their designs. A plenum is a dedicated space for circulating air and is typically located under a raised floor or between the structural ceiling and a drop-down ceiling. In some cases, the plenum also houses communication cables. If so, the cables must be rated for the plenum environment. Plenum-rated cables are more fire resistant and emit fewer toxic fumes than regular cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Facilities Management in Post-COVID Office Reopenings\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C7mSriRfOeU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time-approximately:<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. In computing and especially in\u00a0enterprise data centers, HVAC systems control the ambient environment (temperature, humidity, air flow and air filtering) and must be planned for and operated along with other data center components such as\u00a0computing hardware,\u00a0cabling,\u00a0data storage, fire protection,\u00a0physical security\u00a0systems and power. By Robert Sheldon Almost all IT hardware comes with environmental<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/hvac-heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-in-the-data-centres\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":112,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,37,35,48,36,4,30,344,3,338],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-best-practices-for-data-center-operations","category-data-center-design-and-facilities","category-data-center-facilities","category-data-center-outsourcing-dco","category-data-center-systems-management","category-datacenter-news","category-expert-advise-and-opinion","category-hvac-heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning","category-industry-news-and-expert-advise","category-tech-partners-curated-content"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8060","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/112"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8060"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8060\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8063,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8060\/revisions\/8063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8060"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tekmart.co.za\/t-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}