26
Feature
requirements . Often , cooling equipment arrives with predetermined specifications based on designs outside of Southern Africa or Africa as a whole . This can lead to complications when the equipment must be adapted to fit local standards and operational conditions .” This challenge can be addressed by collaborating closely with local consulting engineers to tailor cooling solutions to the specific conditions and requirements of the region prior deployment .
Monitoring plays a critical role in optimising the effectiveness of cooling systems . A sophisticated Building Management Systems ( BMS ) which adjust cooling parameters and components / equipment in real-time to maintain desired conditions . For example , if a cooling unit is designed the client ’ s SLA is tied to operate at 20 ° C , the system can dynamically adjust the water temperature , airflows etc , while still meeting performance criteria , thereby ensuring a SLA while improving energy efficiency .
Effective monitoring also aids in predictive maintenance . By analysing data from cooling systems , potential issues can be identified before they lead to equipment failures . Monitoring systems track events and alarms to detect patterns that may indicate underlying problems . For instance , a combination of critical and non-critical events can signal potential issues , allowing for proactive maintenance actions .
To prevent mixing of hot and cold air , containment strategies such as cold aisle and hot aisle containment are employed . This ensures that hot air is effectively managed and directed away from equipment . The employment of containment should be a requirement in every server room and data centre .
Airedale , the key partner of DC Mech , specialises in providing cooling solutions tailored for data centres . Their product offerings include :
• Precision Air Conditioning ( PAC ): Designed to handle high sensible loads typical of data centres , ensuring optimal cooling performance .
• Chilled water systems : Advanced systems for efficient cooling with minimal environmental impact .
• Custom solutions : Tailored cooling systems for various data centre needs , including high-density and modular cooling solutions .
“ To prevent mixing of hot and cold air , containment strategies such as cold aisle and hot aisle containment are employed .”
26
RACA Journal I October 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za