Chapter 06: Site Selection

Question 1

100-Year Flood

Answer 1

This refers to a flood level with a 1 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year; it does NOT refer to a flood that occurs every 100 years.

Question 2

500-Year Flood

Answer 2

This refers to a flood level with a 0.2-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year; it does NOT refer to a flood that occurs every 500 years.

Question 3

Derecho

Answer 3

A widespread, long-lived wind storm. Derechos are associated with bands of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms variously known as bow echoes, squall lines, or quasi-linear convective systems.

Question 4

Green Field

Answer 4

A site that has not been previously developed; the process of building a data center on a clear site.

Question 5

Grey Water

Answer 5

Reusable wastewater from residential, commercial, and industrial bathroom sinks, bathtub shower drains, and clothes washing equipment drains (EPA); non-potable water that does not contain serious or hazardous contaminants.

Question 6

Sinkhole

Answer 6

A depression in the Earth’s surface caused by dissolving of underlying limestone, salt, or gypsum. Drainage is provided through underground channels that may be enlarged by the collapse of the cavern roof.

Question 7

List three one-time costs that may be significant such that any one may drive the site selection process for a data center.

Answer 7

• Real estate
• Local tax incentives
• Environmental assessment consulting costs
• Cost to bring adequate utilities infrastructure to site
• Cost to provide redundant utilities
• Demolition costs for any existing structures; site prep costs

Question 8

List 3 recurring costs that will have long-term effects on the feasibility of the proposed site for a data center.

Answer 8

Usage costs for utility services (power, water, gas, sewer)

Question 9

What should be the minimum distance of a data center site from a 500-year flood hazard area?

Answer 9

91m (300’)

Question 10

What are the desirable groundwater conditions when selecting a data center site?

Answer 10

The site should have a water table that is as low as possible; it should be below the utility ducts and below the lowest level of the building at a minimum.

Question 11

A seemingly flat slope surface would not make a good site for a data center. Why?

Answer 11

Even small instabilities can cause a building to settle unevenly, thus leading to structural issues.

Question 12

What is the desirable location of a data center that minimizes the threat from wind damage?

Answer 12

Areas with winds less than or equal to 54 m/s (120 mph) per ASCE 7.

Question 13

Identify one way to decrease the probability of having a data center impacted by wildfires.

Answer 13

Do not place data centers on the edge of urban developments or near protected natural areas.

Question 14

What is the desirable distance of a data center from a freeway or other major arterial road?

Answer 14

3.2 km (2 mi) to 16 km (10 mi)

Question 15

What is a desirable distance of a data center from a fire station?

Answer 15

Ideally, a staffed police and fire station should be within 8 km (5mi)

Question 16

What is the desirable distance of a data center from a hospital?

Answer 16

16 km (10 mi)

Question 17

What should be the minimum separation of electrical service entrance feeds from other utilities along the entire route?

Answer 17

3.2 km (2 mi) to 16 km (10 mi)

Question 18

If redundant feeds are provided to the data center, what should be the minimum separation of the electrical service entrances to the facility from the other electrical service entrances along the entire route.

Answer 18

20 m (66’)

Question 19

What should be the minimum separation for redundant telecom service cabling pathways along the entire route?

Answer 19

20 m (66’)

Question 20

What is the recommended on-site supply of services for class F0 data centers?

Answer 20

There are no requirements for on-site supply of services for Class F0 data center.

Question 21

What is the recommended on-site supply of services for class F1 data centers?

Answer 21

A minimum of 8 hours of on-site supply of services.

Question 22

What is the recommended on-site supply of services for class F2 data centers?

Answer 22

A minimum of 24 hours of on-site supply of services.

Question 23

What is the recommended on-site supply of services for class F3 data centers?

Answer 23

A minimum of 72 hours of on-site supply of services.

Question 24

What is the recommended on-site supply of services for class F4 data centers?

Answer 24

A minimum of 96 hours of on-site supply of services.

Question 25

What should be the minimum separation of telecom services cabling from other utilities along the entire route?

Answer 25

1.2 m (4’)

Question 26

If the data center is situated in a heavily populated area, how may the risk of noise pollution be mitigated?

Answer 26

It is recommended that the data center be constructed with sound barriers within the architectural screening. Critical silencers on generator exhausts and sound attenuated enclosures on outdoor equipment, such as generators and cooling tower, should always be considered.

Question 27

The suitability of a site shall be determined by a site survey and evaluation and a __________ analysis

Answer 27

Risk

Question 28

What are the hazards a risk assessment should evaluate?

Answer 28

• Natural hazards
• Human-caused events
• Technology caused events

Question 29

What is the recommended lighting flash rate for a data center site?

Answer 29

A rate of 10 or less

Question 30

Other than the risk of terrorist attacks, what are some reasons to avoid placing a data center near an underground train station?

Answer 30

Vibrations and EMI