November 21, 2014December 23, 2014 by Matt Seaton

London Central Build Blog – Week 45

This week saw the first of our generators land on site, which is a massive step forwards for us, and allows for the power side of the build project to begin in earnest after Christmas – essentially the final phase ahead of moving existing clients into the new site.

Our Christmas cards for 2014 headed out to their recipients!

First two generator sets arriving at site

First set being lifted into place inside of the compound

First and second sets in place inside of compound

A closer look at the backup generator sets

Final pieces of ductwork being installed to complete cooling system air handling

The arrival of the first generator sets is a big milestone for us as we head towards Christmas for a short period of well earned rest.

Our generators will always run at N+1. When at capacity, we will have 5 identical units inside of our compound, with a new unit added each time additional capacity is required to maintain the level of redundancy that we have specified.

November 14, 2014December 15, 2014 by Matt Seaton

London Central Build Blog – Week 44

This week has again seen dramatic progress as we head towards the final stage of the build, largely in the layout of the data hall ready for initial occupation early next year.

First row of cabinets in the first containment pod being bayed together, including the in-line UPS seen towards the middle

First row of first pod bayed together – this view is from inside the cold aisle

A look at the rear of the first row, as baying and levelling is completed

A look at the rear of the first row, with a custom solution for creating a seamless rear door surface despite the UPS being a different depth to the server cabinets

The distribution cabinet being wrapped around one of the facilities structural columns, alongside an empty UPS

Another row coming together

The second containment pod nearing completion

A closer look at the customised APC cabinet which encloses the column in this pod

November 7, 2014December 10, 2014 by Matt Seaton

London Central Build Blog – Week 43

This week has seen major progress made in the running of final power to site services, such as lighting and control systems. This has allowed us to move off of temporary wiring setups for the first time, meaning facility-wide services now run from the core.

Although the core is still incomplete, and will form one of the final areas of the build project in the coming weeks, this is another major step towards completion.

We have also been able to move the bulk of the rack infrastructure up to the first floor data hall, ready for assembly into final positions.

A look inside one of our wet box coolers, showing one of the four evaporative filters which are installed into each unit

Drainage installation for cooling stacks and tanked floor

Drainage installation under way for cooling stacks and tanked floor

Under-floor fire board re-sealed after drain fitment

A look at the floor drain in the tanked floor of the cold corridor above

Drainage system below floor of cold corridor

Cutting of power riser trunking for lift shaft ahead of installation

Power trunking installation under way in lift shaft riser

Rack enclosures on the first floor, ahead of assembly

Various rack panels and doors ahead of assembly

Rack frames in place in first floor data hall ahead of final assembly and positioning

Cabinets being assembled

First floor data hall flooring completed

Skirting board being installed around data hall perimeter

October 31, 2014December 4, 2014 by Matt Seaton

London Central Build Blog – Week 41 / 42

This fortnight has seen plenty of progress on various elements of the project which have been in a state of half-completion for a while. With the nature of a project this complex, unfortunately it is not as simple as starting an element of the project, seeing it through to completion and moving onto the next – everything is interconnected and various aspects of the build are in progress at the same time.

As such, the progress of the build ebbs and flows depending on how close to completion various elements of the project are.

The reason for combining two weeks into a single post here is that the number of photos taken of various elements over the course of this period has been limited. This is because whilst works continue, various planning and development meetings have been occurring behind the scenes, which naturally take up lots of management time.

A look at the cooling stack as the top duct and louvred panel assembly is fixed in place

A closer look at the top assembly ahead of connecting ductwork between the fan and coolers

A closer look at the top assembly ahead of connecting ductwork installations between the fan and coolers

An ‘up-high’ view of the first cooler stack in its final position, ahead of final ducting connections

A view through the progressing assembly of the second cooling stack

The second stack’s intake fan being installed into the cold corridor enclosure

A closer look at the intake fan, with the opening for the extraction duct work and fan to the left (for recirculation)

Second stack nearing completion, with second wet box and primary louvred panel installed

Second cooling stack flow control duct chamber installed

Mains water feed and control module for first stack being installed

A look at the mains feed being installed along the length of the cold corridor

Delivery of final cooling system custom-made duct work pieces

Power reinstated to facility loading bay roller shutters

Delivery of further APC racks

Cable pulling to finalise first floor data hall lighting systems

Some BT termination equipment installed in meet me room for specialist services

Secondary BT termination equipment installed in meet me room for specialist services

October 17, 2014November 10, 2014 by Matt Seaton

London Central Build Blog – Week 40

This week has seen the completion of all major external works, with exception of course given to the generators, some minor armoured barrier installations and general cleaning / painting.