Things are really heating up now in terms of progress on-site at NLE, as we document another three weeks of work at our forthcoming data centre.
We’re almost at the one year mark in terms of when we first gained access to the new building, and despite some setbacks early on due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we’ve been extremely pleased with how quickly we’ve transformed the site from shell to data centre.
We’re not quite there yet, but we’re getting ever closer!
Weekly overview
The last three weeks have seen tremendous progress across a wide range of project areas. The most notable changes have centred around the physical adjustments to the rear of the facility, as the first set of louvred intake panels are cut into the exterior walls for Data Hall 1.
Our custom cable cover ramps have been installed as part of our client flow speed gatesThe coolers for Data Hall 1 now have their water supply and drains plumbed inThe cooling controller for Data Hall 1 has now had its trunking installed, which connects through to the routes in the data hall itselfThe fire panels have started to have their containment installed, with cables now run in to them for future commissioning Here we see some more fire panel containment and cabling, along with the route being taken by our single run of MDPE pipework for the cooling supplyThe containment during installation inside Data Hall 1 for fire systems, including the main panels and VESDA systemThis shows a near-complete containment assembly for the VESDA system in Data Hall 2, which allows for multiple route options between equipmentThe first set of louvres being cut into the rear elevation of Data Hall 1’s cold corridor, with frames being installedThe first set of louvres installed ahead of having their rear bag filter frames fitted – there will be a second run of these louvres installed underneath these, giving 28 external intake louvres per hall in totalAnother view of the first set of louvres installed for Data Hall 1An exterior view of the louvres as installed, ahead of the second run below this set, and some finishing flashings that will be install on completionThe louvres for Data Hall 1 are split across the fire escape doorThe black textured wall in the meeting room at the NLE NOC also doubles as a handy pin board, which is ideal for displaying various technical drawings during the build processPod 1 in Data Hall 1 is now fully assembled, with both automatic doors now installed and poweredA view across Data Hall 1, at the now fully assembled containment pod, housing the first 28 racksWe’ve carried over our use of APC hardware for all racking and containment, which will mean a familiar service presentation for clients with services in London Central, and elsewhere in our partner sitesA look at the contact-free entry and exit sensors for the shared Pod 1 colocation space, which can be opened even with hands full with equipmentAnother view down the length of Pod 1 – you can just make out our custom rack unit blanks in the top quarter rack, which have our logomark on them
As we hope is self-evident, the visual and functional change on-site has been noteworthy, to say the least.
Big advances have been made in containment, which helps move the project along in many areas. Our fire contractors are now able to bring all systems together, and complete the VESDA and extinguishant panel integrations with the main building system.
Having Pod 1 reach point of completion from an assembly perspective is also a major project milestone, and gives a tangible focus point for any tours of the site ahead of it opening.
What’s next?
Next week we will reach 12 months on-site at NLE, although due to COVID-19 restrictions early on, we’re probably more like 9 months of true work into the project.
The next set of louvres will be installed in the next week or so, along with further works on various open projects. This all falls alongside larger project work, which will see broader stroke progress as the build continues towards full onlining in the next few months.
