London Central Build Blog – Week 48

With the final elements of the facility wide containment systems now finalised, we can run headlong into the final stage of the project, which will involve running cabling, commissioning the power and network, and final testing. With all being well we are hoping to welcome existing and pre-sale customers into the new site very soon, with absolute finalisation to follow (smaller ancillary works such as signage, finishing touches, etc).

Multi-tiered containment basket running across pod rows

Multi-tiered containment basket running across pod rows

Second pod bridge in place between backbone containment and racks

Second pod bridge in place between backbone containment and racks

Second pod containment bridge in place

Second pod containment bridge in place

A look at the containment system taking shape

A look at the containment system taking shape

Inter-pod containment bridge in place, to allow for maximum cross-connect flexibility

Inter-pod containment bridge in place, to allow for maximum cross-connect flexibility

Power and network bridges between rows in place through cold aisle

Power and network bridges between rows in place through cold aisle

First UPS power cabling being installed

First UPS power cabling being installed

UPS cable bridging through cold aisle for first UPS run

UPS cable bridging through cold aisle for first UPS run

Power cable running into distribution rack, ahead of power management fit out

Power cable running into distribution rack, ahead of power management fit out

Power cabling being tied into containment backbone

Power cabling being tied into containment backbone

Main power cable exit point from primary power riser onto first floor data hall

Main power cable exit point from primary power riser onto first floor data hall

Power cabling to second pod tied into containment bridge

Power cabling to second pod tied into containment bridge

Final networking bridge in place between first pod and main backbone, thus completing the containment system for the first two online pods

Final networking bridge in place between first pod and main backbone, thus completing the containment system for the first two online pods

A look at the scale of the first cable pull - 4 initial cables weighing close to 500kg

A look at the scale of the first cable pull – 4 initial cables weighing close to 500kg

Ground floor rear warehouse flooring taking shape

Ground floor rear warehouse flooring taking shape

London Central Build Blog – Week 47

This week saw the completion of the containment systems throughout the facility, which means that all runs to hardware requiring power and/or network connectivity are now complete.

Final backbone basket installed in data hall

Final backbone basket installed in data hall

Final backbone basket installed in data hall

Final backbone basket installed in data hall

Containment backbone installed in cold corridor

Containment backbone installed in cold corridor

Containment backbone installed in cold corridor

Containment backbone installed in cold corridor

Cold corridor access control being installed

Cold corridor access control being installed

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Cold corridor access control being installed

Access points for future cooling stack controllers installed along cold corridor enclosure

Access points for future cooling stack controllers installed along cold corridor enclosure

HD CCTV  cameras being installed in first floor data hall

HD CCTV cameras being installed in first floor data hall

HD CCTV  cameras being installed in first floor data hall

HD CCTV cameras being installed in first floor data hall

HD CCTV  cameras being installed in first floor data hall

HD CCTV cameras being installed in first floor data hall

Custom migration flight cases being prepared for specialist hardware during the move into the new facility.

Custom migration flight cases being prepared for specialist hardware during the move into the new facility

Finalisation of cold corridor enclosure sliding doors

Finalisation of cold corridor enclosure sliding doors

Containment bridges being installed for power and network runs to each pod

Containment bridges being installed for power and network runs to each pod

Containment bridges being installed for power and network runs to each pod

Containment bridges being installed for power and network runs to each pod

Through-aisle containment bridges fitted with brushes for air management

Through-aisle containment bridges fitted with brushes for air management

London Central Build Blog – Week 46

Again this has been a week of change across various elements of the facility, as we draw near to the stage of initial occupation.

Air flow signage added to cooler stacks

Air flow signage added to cooler stacks

Air flow signage added to cooler stacks

Air flow signage added to cooler stacks

Flow controllers in place for cooler stack supplies, which will be controlled by our building management systems

Flow controllers in place for cooler stack supplies, which will be controlled by our building management systems

Skirting installed in warehouse / loading bay, ahead of floor coating

Skirting installed in warehouse / loading bay, ahead of floor coating

One of our core system racks with UPS and mains bypass switch fitted, along with terminated patch panels

One of our core system racks with UPS and mains bypass switch fitted, along with terminated patch panels

Loading bay / warehouse floor coating preparation underway

Loading bay / warehouse floor coating preparation under way

Loading bay / warehouse floor coating under way

Loading bay / warehouse floor coating under way

Completed floor covering in loading bay / warehouse

Completed floor covering in loading bay / warehouse

Custom cold corridor doors being built and installed

Custom cold corridor doors being built and installed

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Custom cold corridor doors being fitted

Completed door assemblies for two pods

Completed door assemblies for two pods

New water filter / cooler and coffee machine to cater for visitor tastes

New water filter / cooler and coffee machine to cater for visitor tastes

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!

Our Christmas cards for 2014 headed out to their recipients!

First two generator sets arriving at site

First two generator sets arriving at site

First two generator sets arriving at site

First two generator sets arriving at site

First set being lifted into place inside of the compound

First set being lifted into place inside of the compound

First and second sets in place inside of compound

First and second sets in place inside of compound

A closer look at the backup generator sets

A closer look at the backup generator sets

A closer look at the backup generator sets

A closer look at the backup generator sets

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

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, 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

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

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

Another row coming together

Another row coming together

Another row coming together

Another row coming together

Another row coming together

Another row coming together

The second containment pod nearing completion

The second containment pod nearing completion

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

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