New Data Center Topology - Equinix, Ashburn, VA

Category: Data Center

Square Footage: 205,140 sq ft

Services Provided: HVAC, Plumbing

Completion Date: 2012

Owner: Equinix

General Contractor: DPR Construction

Electrical Contractor: Cupertino Electric

Equinix data center DC-7 was slated to be replaced with a new, modernized, 12.8-megaWatt facility called DC-11. The design started with an in-depth brainstorming analysis of options. Pragmatic PE analyzed conventional direct expansion refrigeration systems in addition to indirect evaporative cooling and a modular option. The modular option schematic is shown in the graphic above and would have allowed Equinix to building the data center on a step-wise basis based on when clients decide to rent co-location space. The main advantages of this scenario are the savings due to deferred costs as well as the typical advantage of modular construction: pre-fabrication.

After the brainstorming design phase, Equinix asked Pragmatic PE to publish two options for the bridge documents for contractor bidding. The first was a system topology that matches other Equinix data centers at the site, direct expansion cooling, but with airside economizers. The second option was based on improving DC-11 compared to other DXcooled buildings on site by implementing combination indirect and direct evaporative cooling units that included airside economization. The duct and air pathways below the roof were the same for each option and Pragmatic PE designed all of it for more accurate bidding. The final installation, shown in photo above, matched the bridge documentation