16 Feb 2009

Data centre floors 'an important factor'

Companies are being warned that money and energy is being lost through data centres with inefficient flooring.

Implementing a number of measures to tackle issues such as heat output can help benefit businesses, Rick Sawyer, senior principal of critical facilities assurance at Hewlett Packard Mission Critical Services, tells eweek.

He writes: "When approaching an energy efficiency program, it is important to keep in mind the day-to-day factors that data centre administrators face. They must ensure that current facilities and equipment are working optimally in their existing settings."

Ways in which companies can prevent loss include adding extra support to potentially weak areas of the floor to prevent a 'domino effect' occurring in the event of collapse, Mr Sawyer explains.

Further measures include keeping the area clear so that rolling carts used to move equipment do not obstruct cooling systems, as well as using correct cleaning tools such as HEPA-filtered vacuums to hoover up small and potentially damaging particles of dust, he concludes.

Platform efficiency is essential in the current economic climate, as poor application can cost businesses both time and money, according to Hadrian James, technology manager for Compuware.