Chapter 2
General System and Facility Guidelines
Environmental Factors
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Delivery plans should include the possible removal of walls or doors. The physical dimensions for applicable
computers and peripheral equipment are summarized in Appendix A, “System Specifications and
Requirements.”
Operational Space Requirements
Other factors must be considered along with the basic equipment dimensions. Reduced airflow around
equipment causes overheating, which can lead to equipment failure. Therefore, the location and orientation of
air conditioning ducts, as well as airflow direction, are important. Obstructions to equipment intake or
exhaust airflow must be eliminated.
The locations of lighting fixtures and utility outlets affect servicing operations. Plan equipment layout to take
advantage of lighting and utility outlets. Do not forget to include clearance for opening and closing equipment
doors.
Clearance around and above the cabinets must be provided for proper cooling airflow through the equipment.
The service area space requirements, outlined in Appendix A, are minimum dimensions. If other equipment is
located so that it exhausts heated air near the cooling air intakes of the computer system cabinets, larger
space requirements are needed to keep ambient air intake to the computer system cabinets within the
specified temperature and humidity ranges.
Space planning should also include the possible addition of equipment or other changes in space
requirements. Equipment layout plans should also include provisions for the following:
•
Channels or fixtures used for routing data cables and power cables
•
Access to air conditioning ducts, filters, lighting, and electrical power hardware
•
Power conditioning equipment
•
Cabinets for cleaning materials
•
Maintenance area and spare parts
Floor Plan Grid
A floor plan grid is helpful for planning the location of equipment in the computer room. In addition to its use
for planning, a floor plan grid should also be considered when planning the locations of the following items:
•
Air conditioning vents
•
Lighting fixtures
•
Utility outlets
•
Doors
•
Access areas for power wiring and air conditioning filters
•
Equipment cable routing
Floor Loading
The computer room floor must be able to support the total weight of the installed computer system as well as
the weight of the individual cabinets as they are moved into position.
Floor loading is usually not an issue in nonraised floor installations. The information presented in this section
is directed toward raised floor installations.
