The data centre design and build projects we deliver are subject to a rigorous regime of testing, commissioning, and handover procedures, following a total of five levels of testing and commissioning.
From Initial planning, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), individual component testing, dedicated systems testing and, finally, Integrated System Testing (IST).
This process not only provides clients with a fully documented system operation test but also demonstrates a facility’s reliance and load capacity, giving clients total confidence in the systems we deliver.
During the final stages of our testing process full facility end-to-end Integrated Systems Test (IST) consisting of systems operational test and failover test are carried out against simulated loads.
This ensures the resiliency and operation of the design is maintained and allows us to document and demonstrate the cause and effect during critical system failures. This ensures the end users understand what to expect in the event a fault occurs and also how the system will recover from such an issue.
The IST within the Data Centre Space is carried out using IT load emulators fitted into the IT enclosures with the relevant U space blanking to test and simulate the rack load banks to the design load capacity.
As well as demonstrating the cooling effectiveness by proving the IT equipment supply air temperatures, it will also show hot and cold air path separation as well as correct airflow without hot spots.
These tests, which are carried out in normal operation conditions, simulate fault conditions with cooling units reduced to the N components, which help to prove correct airflow.
We can also provide upgrade testing options to utilise fully adjustable emulators. These not only ‘mimic’ the total maximum design load of the server room, they also adjust to ‘mimic’ the Delta T across differing equipment, simulating high density, medium density, and low-density equipment.
By implementing these testing principals, the whole installation can be measured against the design, including electrical cabling and switchgear, UPS and generators, cabinet power distribution, circuit protection and controls, cooling plant and equipment, power metering and BMS monitoring equipment together with individual cabinet specific loading.
During the soak testing, the designed fault tolerance and alarm monitoring strategy will also be tested. This includes mains failure, UPS failure, electrical stream(s) failure, and cooling plant failure in addition to alerting and alarm testing.
In addition, during our testing and failover testing, temperature logging devices are utilised to provide graphical data at selected locations.
As part of the IST and commissioning process, 2bm uses thermal imagery to prove system operations, supported by a written record of the full testing. This provides a base point for future reference with certification of each test undertaken.
In addition, during the testing processes, we encourage every client to attend and witness all operations. This not only enhances operator training but also allows full operation of the live equipment within a real-world ‘hands-on’ demonstration, prior to the handover and going into service.
Image: 15 x 3.0 kW simulators = 45kW per rack load testing for HPC
IST testing before the handover of the project
Focus on the testing of the relationship of all critical equipment
Resilience and redundancy tests
Testing of equipment failure in emulated scenarios
Concurrent maintainability and fault tolerance testing
Emulation of actual sever heat/airflow output
Rectification any discrepancies
Maximum design load testing on entire infrastructure including distribution paths
Tests using rack mountable (where racks are in situ) or floor standing load emulators
