Massive changes to report this time around, as the walling installation works begin at NLE, zoning the building into its final room layout.
This comes along side a range of other works that have seen a huge, tangible evolution of the site as we head into the final phase of the envelope installation.
Weekly overview
What a three weeks we’ve had on-site here at NLE. The walls have really started to take shape, with the first floor data halls now visible, along with some of the main access corridor and customer breakout / build room. We’ve also had the ground floor to first floor riser access holes cut into the mezzanine floor, ready for our future inter-floor service routes.
Our lift installation is now also underway, with the main vertical runners and lifting mechanism now in place. This will be enclosed by the shaft in the coming weeks, and the platform will be installed.
The ground floor of the facility has also had all fire protection for the mezzanine structure installed, which is another great milestone in terms of having that component of the envelope fully finished.
A look at the now finished EcoTherm skylight blankingA view of an EcoTherm panel through the newly cut risers, of which there are now two in the facilityThe mezzanine posts with new fire protecting caps installedThe mezzanine has also had its edge fire protection capping installedThe loading bay and warehouse area had all new electrical distribution installed as we zone and split deliveryNewly installed containment between the new loading bay distribution unit and the storage mezzanineOur new custom site safety board and sign in station is now fully in placeThis may not look like much, but this is the first new cable delivery to land on-site here at NLE, so worth snapping!We’re very excited to have received a major equipment delivery this time around, in the form of our CREC units for Data Hall 1, and the plinths for all four hallsA look at the custom plinths for our new evaporative coolers, which have been designed for us to contain ease-access filtersThe first of our CREC units, now on-site and ready for placement in due courseWe’ve also received the extraction fans for Data Hall 1; Ziehl Abegg units as utilised to great effect at NLC, some of which have now been operating uninterrupted and without issue for over 5 yearsThese are the custom designed and built plinths for our backup CRAC unitsWe have another forklift on-site, taking us to three in use at NLE, though this time not one of ours – this is a super-heavy duty hire unit to lift the walling pallets up to the mezzanine levelThe first insulated wall panel delivery arriving on-siteWe’re glad to have such a large front compound here at NLE, not only for our eventual operating data centre, but also for material handling during the buildThe first set of panel stacks now ready for installation on the first floorThe first panels being installed on the first floorA full run of wall panels in place on the first floorThe dividing spine wall that will run between Data Hall 1 and Data Hall 2 on the first floor reaching completionA look across to the now fully-enclosed Data Hall 2 spaceThe main spine / corridor wall on the first floor as it encloses Data Hall 1Walling delivery number twoA look at the completed spine wall which encloses Data Halls 1 and 2, with the temporary door openings for site access – you can also see the early form of what will be our customer lounge, break out and build room on the rightThe first floor access corridor starting to take shape, taken between Data Hall 2 and the customer breakout / lounge / build room areaA shot taken from inside the now enclosed Data Hall 1Data Hall 2, facing the eventual cold corridor / cooling plant area at the rearSome of the ground floor panels being installed between the mezzanine posts, to form Data Halls 3 and 4, along with plant roomsOur lift installation has now started, with the main lifting gear now in place, along with the custom mezzanine tie-in bracket
We now have 25 tonnes of insulated wall panelling on-site, ready for installation. This will be followed by nearly 33 tonnes of raised floor, and several tonnes of hung ceiling flown overhead in each hall.
Those with a keen eye will notice that the current door openings cut into the walls would not be correct when factoring in our raised floor. These are currently temporary cut-outs for positioning and site access, and will have their height increased (along with base boards installed) later.
We’re incredibly excited to see the site reach this stage. Of course we still have quite a way to go, with several weeks remaining on the envelope stage alone, however seeing the rooms take shape on-site is a massive milestone.
What else has been happening?
Our new van is now almost finished, and we’re very excited to show you what she looks like! We’re very impressed with how she’s turned out.
We just have some final finishing touches to make, and we’ll show you how she looks.
What’s next?
We still have a few weeks of walling and fire protection installation works to completed on-site, while also flying overhead containment grids in each Data Hall to allow for above ceiling cable runs. Beyond this, the envelope installation works will continue, moving onto floors, ceilings and access.
