Sounding out on data centre noise

SINCE THE CREATION OF the World Wide Web, the world has become heavily dependent on technology and online processes, with internet-based communication and financial transactions now playing a major role in most industries.

The UK has become one of Europe’s financial hotspots and – due to its geographical location – a gateway for transatlantic online traffic. More than 200 data centres have been built across the country to house and manage this online activity and, as the digitisation of the modern working world continues, this number is set to rise. Architects and building managers are under pressure to ensure that, once constructed, these data centres do not affect the quality of life of the people working in or living close to them. Noise is a key consideration.

Data centres house a vast number of technological apparatus and it is not just the individual computers that process the data that emit loud noises. The larger-scale equipment that is used to regulate the internal environment and ensure optimum running performance also raises the decibel levels, such as industrial-sized cooling fans that mitigate the heat emitted from the machines, and alarm sensors that flag up system failures. With a single server capable of emitting as much as 70dB, the reality of how loud data centres can become is clear.

The technology sector is already subject to specific regulation to manage this noise, such as the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres. With the prospect of more data centres being built, and in closer proximity to residential areas, incorporating engineered noise control solutions into the fabric of these buildings is vital to ensure that they not only meet these regulations but also have minimal impact on their surrounding areas.

In relation to the local communities, mitigating the impact of data centre noise is essential for the companies operating in these buildings to gain public support and run their businesses effectively. The centres’ location is not necessarily a factor in this. Whilst industries such as oil and gas are based around rural sites that often incur greater awareness of their noise emissions, data centres can be based in urban locations where higher level ambient noise levels make noise generated by them less obvious. For data centres, noise-related problems stem more from their round-the-clock operation, which means that, whether at an in-town or countryside location, local residents are more likely to experience noise disturbance during the quieter night-time hours.

On a human level, this kind of noise disturbance serves as an irritant for nearby residents, whereas on a strategic level it can have a significant impact on the health and success of the business. Noise-based problems can generate a level of animosity in the local community which – if sustained – can damage the company’s reputation and even affect future business in the area.

Aside from considerations of the local community, data centre managers also have a duty of care for their staff who, working inside the buildings, are exposed to the loud sounds at a much higher level and for a more prolonged period of time. Deafness and tinnitus are amongst the common hearing-related problems associated with inadequate noise control. If serious enough to result in sick leave, these conditions can have a major impact on the company’s overall operation and output. The distraction posed by noise is also a threat to this, as it can contribute to lower concentration and productivity levels amongst workers.

Noise control solutions can come in a variety of formats, including acoustic walls, doors, exhaust silencers and duct ventilation. IAC Acoustics has worked to install bespoke sound mitigation measures at a number of data centres across the UK and, whilst the sensitive nature of the data processed in these centres prevents us from naming the sites, the benefits achieved by the implementation of this technology is clear.
At one data centre for example, high performance acoustic louvered barriers were erected around the chillers and pumps outside of the building, to absorb noise emissions and ensure that disturbance was reduced to a level that was imperceptible for residents living in the nearby housing. These durable and aesthetically pleasing barriers were designed in a finish that blended in with the local surroundings to minimise visual impact, and have also served as a form of additional security for the site. At another data centre, IAC supplied acoustic ducting attenuators to protect the office environment from the noise generated by the centre equipment. In doing so, emissions are reduced to a less audible level across the whole building, enabling staff to work more efficiently and with less risk to their health.

Whilst controlling the noise emitted from daily data centre operation is crucial, the reduction of noise caused by their back-up power generators is equally as important. With thousands of pounds of business at risk for every minute that power is down, data centres need to rely on an emergency reserve to keep the business in operational mode. Large-scale back-up generators are designed for this task and automatically kick in when the centre experiences a power cut. If they are too loud for their surroundings however, they can cause severe disruption to the local community and on-site personnel, which at worst could result in costly restrictions being placed on their use. Control technologies that can mitigate this contingency noise are vital in ensuring continual business operation and performance. IAC Acoustics undertakes a lot of work in this area, providing tailored solutions that can facilitate an almost seamless transition from routine to emergency power, with minimal impact on the local community.