To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of fundamentals of Heating/ Ventilation/ Air Conditioning systems (HVAC) & ancillary equipment within a modern Data Centre environment .
Health and Safety
Identify key relevant safety regulations and explain the significance of these when working in the data centre environment. Hazards associated with F gases (fluorinated greenhouse gases).State the risks associated with lifting and carrying loads. List the main statutory requirements of both employers and employees in relation to manual handling and general safety in the workplace. Explain the structure of the spine, the functions of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Explain how to lift an object correctly and safely individually and in pairs or teams. Demonstrate proper lifting/handling of a typical workplace load (Manually and with handling aid). Describe the key types of handling devices used in the data centre environment. Outline safe practices when working at heights, using a safety harness, lanyard and scaffolding. Identify the various hazardous substances that may be encountered in the data centre environment/industry including corrosive materials, gases, acids, solvents, refrigerants and the graphical symbols that represent each type. Guide to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations.
Pipework and Processes
Identification & Insulation & Protection & Bracketing + Support. Identification of Pipelines, Industrial Insulation. Thread types (pitch, angle, diameter, parallel, taper) on industrial pipework. Pipework materials (ferrous/non-ferrous), applications, types. Flange Sizing and identification (flange tables). Pipe Spools. Pipe Standards and Schedules.
Pipe Sizing
Methods of pipe sizing, pressure drop, flow of fluids, flow and velocity. Relevant theorems and equations (D’Arcy equation, Bernoulli’s theorem, Reynolds number, etc.)
Building Services
Overview of Building Services. Cold Water and Hot Water Supply Systems. Heating Systems, Fuel Characteristics and Storage. Ventilation Systems & Air Conditioning. Components and Controls. Fire Prevention and Control. Accommodation for Building Services. Alternative and Renewable Energy (Energy Efficient Systems).
HVAC
Air Conditioning & Ventilation Systems (temperature, humidity, air flow and air filtering). Airflow management. Cooling strategy options; direct free cooling, evaporative cooling, mixed air, chilled water, refrigeration units/in-rack cooling options. Mechanical equipment key terms; AHU (Air Handling Unit), CRAHU (Computer Room Air Handling Unit), DX (Direct Expansion), CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioner units), Dampers/Fans/VFD (Variable Frequency Drives).
HVAC Design in Data Centres
Energy and Sustainability. Mechanical Design in Data Centres. Environmental Control. Raised Floor versus Overhead Cooling. Hot Aisle versus Cold Aisle Containment. Free Cooling Technologies. Rack-Level Cooling and Cold Plate Cooling. Renewable and Clean Energy for Data Centres. Preventative Maintenance.
Industrial/Commercial Heating Systems
Centralised systems, Localised systems. District heating & distribution methods, Boiler houses & Plant rooms. Boiler Efficiencies and Flue Gas Analysis.
System Control and Efficiences
Weather Compensation and Optimisation
Compressed Air
Types of Systems. Principles, applications and components of compressed air systems, types of pipe material and fastenings, sizing of plant and pipework.
Water Quality
Water Supply and Treatment, Waste Water Treatment. Ultra Pure Water. Closed and Open loop systems.
Heat Exchangers
Classification of Heat Exchangers. Flat Plate, shell-and-tube and plate/fin. Regenerative Heat Exchangers.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 50 |
| Formal Examination | 50 |