D uring this stage C-suITe will produce a detailed concept report encapsulating all site conditions as in accordance with the client requirements. The purpose of the concept report is to provide the client with a clear understanding of the design intent, providing a number of options for design configurations clearly analysed and explained, enabling the client to make informed decisions as to which direction the design strategy should take. The concept design report will provide a preliminary design intent sign-off and sets the direction for the scheme and detailed design which follows on from the concept phase.

Some of the tools utilised during the conceptual design phase include CFD modelling and discrimination studies.

• 1

  CFD Modeling

In recent years the rising power density of IT equipment in Mission Critical Facilities has demanded more cooling solutions, and therefore created more cooling problems. C-suITe uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to aid in resolving one of the most common problems in today’s Mission Critical Facilities, such as the issue of ‘hot spots’.

CFD modelling is a very complex but extremely useful tool, only if utilised by experts in the field. C-suITe uses teams of CFD experts that possess a combined experience of CFD modelling in excess of 25 years. With backgrounds in Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, and Architecture, the CFD teams are also Energy Efficiency driven; hence contribute to the development of ideal, cost-effective solutions.

C-suITe’s team offers CFD as a design aiding tool to analyse the resilience of the integrated IT and M&E services with respect to cooling. Such analysis usually includes, but is not limited to:

• Fault finding and troubleshooting
• Infrastructure Classification and Reviews

CFD modelling results may impact on various issues even as detailed as the cabinet/rack utilisation of IT equipment.

The C-suITe critical systems engineering team uses ‘high definition’ grid meshing in all of its CFD modelling projects, where the cabinet is created of internal server heat loads according to the design requirements, as opposed to commercial tools that treat the cabinet as a black box where simulations are greatly inaccurate and not true to the environment being modelled. This unique high definition technique generates realistic air flow modelling identical to data centre and cabinet producing highly accurate results allowing the realistic analysis of hot spots and cooling failure.

Detailed and clear representation in 3D and 2D can be provided to show in full the detailed analysis of the data centre under real-time steady state, and transient conditions, Critical system performance is provided with highlighted problems and solution strategies.

• 2

  3D Walkthrough

Architectural, construction, and consultancy firms worldwide offer quality and accurate 3D walkthroughs ranging from residential, to commercial, to industrial.

C-suITe has taken another step in 3D Walkthroughs, by working closely with the CFD teams; C-suITe offer a unique walkthrough that encompasses M&E analysis. These walkthroughs offer real-time information bars that provide any or all of the following parameters:

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Airflow
• Illumination level
• Noise level

• 3

  Discrimination Studies

The first step to achieving electrical stability is recognition that selective coordination specific to the critical environment is a cornerstone to data centre resilience. Discovery, investigation, modelling, analysis, selective coordination, implementation and validation are the progressive elements.

Discrimination studies require knowledge of both the electrical power system in a facility, the systems electrical protection, and the connected critical electrical/mechanical systems. It can be considered a continuation of the short circuit and coordination aspects of a power system.

C-suITe adopts a 7 step process to discrimination studies:

1. Data Collection (Discovery)
2. Modeling and System Operating Modes
3. Safety and System Stability Considerations
4. Protective Device Coordination Study
5. Perform Dynamic Balancing
6. Ratify Electric Coordination Study and Recommendations
7. Validation