The pace has certainly picked up now, as we push towards phase one completion at London East.
This acute focus has left little time for the blog, and as broad strokes visual change has slowed down at this point, we’ve put together a four week short summary of the last month on-site at NLE.
Weekly overview
Phase one completion will see the facility ready to take its first clients, which is an enormous milestone for us here at Netwise.
There will still be some ongoing works beyond phase one, which will include things like our customer lounge and some other secondary niceties, as primary focus at this point is getting the technical spaces completed and ready to receive live client systems.
Looking slightly further ahead still, phase two will involve the preparation and roll-out of further technical space, making use of the other data halls, which given the amount of work put in ahead of time for this will certainly come to fruition much more quickly. This is expected in 2022, and will be based on a dynamic roll-out schedule, driven largely by demand.
The largest area of progress in this instalment of the build blog has been centred around air conditioning. This is not our primary cooling source in the technical spaces at NLE, with that role falling to our extremely efficient adiabatic systems, however traditional AC does still play a crucial role in both supplementary cooling in critical spaces, and comfort cooling in customer and staff areas.
This is a view inside the cooling control system unit for Data Hall 1, as the internal termination reaches completion The pipework for both the supplementary CRAC systems and the comfort cooling throughout the building are comprised of some very long pipe runs, depending on the location of the internal equipmentSome of the pipe runs for the AC systems have been fairly complex, because of their routes, and because of how split systems have their pipework distributed between endpoints One of the main convergent runs of AC pipework can be found on our storage mezzanine, as the runs cross towards the exterior condenser areaHere we see one of the main runs coming together, which traverses the storage mezzanine before reaching the exterior skin and turning down towards the point of exitPower cabling also joins the pipework runs, with drainage to followHere’s a snapshot of the complex manifold work happening in one of the ceilings, as the split systems are evenly distributed to ensure even pressureThis is the AC unit in the build room and customer breakout area, as the cabling begins to be terminated internallyAll comfort cooling systems have in-room control panelsThis is the control panel for the system in another customer amenity space, which also allows for remote operation and monitoringHere we see some of the external condensers being worked on by our AC engineersThe external condensers are laid out in a grid which enables plenty of future growth The larger condensers here are for the supplementary downflow units in the data halls, temporarily stood on their rubber feet ahead of permanent fixture Here we see the overhead lighting system installation underway in the cold corridor area for Data Hall 1 – this is where external air is filtered and processed for our primary CRAC systemThe UPSs and UPS switchboards are now in place and terminated in LV B, to match the state in LV AOur main LV switchboards in both LV rooms have now had their line diagram vinyls fitted, taking both boards to completion ahead of energisation for commissioning and setupThe line diagrams are fitted to all switchboards, including the smaller sub-boards for the UPS systemsHere we see one of our custom designed security panels fitted to Pod 1 in Data Hall 1, for the privatisation of racks within said containment systemWe’ve now fitted the razor wire to the top of our compound fencing, which aside from adding electric motor controls to the main gate, takes this area to completionThe razor wire now runs the entire perimeter of the facilityWe designed a custom implementation of the razor wire retention system to allow for the retraction of our large vehicle access gateAs part of the final stage of work, we’ve had any construction marks and / or damage on our metal clad panel walls repaired, which included full panel respraying where necessaryAny panels with damage incurred during the build have been returned to factory conditionThe spray team were able to achieve a truly flawless finishWe’re very pleased with the outcome of the retouch and repair works undertaken throughout the facilityThe VESDA pipework has now been installed in both LV rooms
As you can see, NLE is still an extremely busy site, with lots of finishing stage work underway. Yet so much more of the work being undertaken at this point is not of a visual nature; commissioning of power systems, access control, network setup, CCTV etc, these are all tasks with little to photograph. However progress across all of these areas will be relayed when suitable.
We’re certainly entering into an exciting period of the build, as major systems begin to see energisation for the first time.
What’s next?
More of the same as we head towards phase one end-out. Keep your eyes peeled for the next instalment of the blog, which will show much of the major infrastructure being onlined for the first time!
Now that raised floors have started to go back down, and termination of cabling is essentially complete, impactful visual change has slowed down slightly, however progress is still pushing forwards at great pace.
We’ve been preparing for some of the final trades to land on site to end-out phase one, which will include the CRAC pipework team and the wall fabrication team from earlier in the project, who will be finishing off some of the final cooling system segregation now that the fans are installed.
Weekly overview
Much of the change this time centres around supplementary cooling, VESDA / fire panels, and data cabling for things such as CCTV, access control and monitoring / system control.
We’re now very much in the end-out phase of the project at this point, which means that various elements that until now were operating separately are coming together quickly.
For example, our evaporative cooling units are now connected back to both their power delivery and control systems, meaning that they will soon be ready for their first spin up and test. This is the same for a number of the core systems which make up the infrastructure of the facility.
We now have most of the building-wide comfort cooling in place for client and staff areas, including here in the build room and customer loungeHere we see the ceiling mounted AC unit mirrored on the other side of the building, and the same units are now also present in the NOC / officeWe’ve also got three high performance models installed in each of the LV rooms, with room for a fourth in due course as and when required based on UPS expansionOur VESDA pipework is now installed in Data Hall 1 and pre-emptively in Data Hall 2This is the view of the installation in Data Hall 2, which we are pre-staging for future use, along with all other baseline infrastructure – this will speed up the commissioning process for this hall dramatically once it’s neededThis is the view of the VESDA installation in Data Hall 1This is a slightly wider view of the VESDA installation in Data Hall 1, showing the various sampling pathways as they leave the main unit, and also showing the B-side PDUs for distribution to client racks, and the earthing bar for the hallHere we see the VESDA pipework installed in Data Hall 2, along the blanking system at the rear which will eventually house the CRECs for this hallThe CREC units in Data Hall 1 have now had their power and control system cables installed, which brings them up to readiness for commissioning in due courseThe ODFs in Data Hall 1 are starting to take shape, with containment now run in from both high and low levels – here, one of the newly installed cleaner sockets is also visible, as part of a wider ring installed throughout the building to support such requirementsThis is the B-side ODF, with a range of cabling now run back to it to support various functions in Data Hall 1, such as CCTV, monitoring and system controlsHere we see the entrance to the first committed private pod in Data Hall 1, which after some forthcoming adjustments to access control and visual identity, will be handed over to the client in Q4Another view of the pod entry door systems that we use with our APC racking and containment system, which are operated electronicallyThis floating, conduit-free cleaners socket is achieved by ensuring that it backs onto one of our risers, meaning all containment for the cabling is hidden from view, something we have done wherever possible for a clean installationThis is the cleaners socket as installed alongside ODF B in Data Hall 1, which due to its positioning does require conduit access to under floor containmentThe UPS boards are now landing back in place in both LV rooms, having been removed during the flood cabling processAnother view of the PDUs which distribute B-side power in Data Hall 1, with all internals now completely terminated, and ready to hand-off power to client racksWe now have our new reception desk standing in place, which will be finished with branding and a glass security and visitor flow system in due courseAnother view of the reception desk as placed in an approximation of its final position
We’re getting to the point at which photographing visual change is likely to slow down somewhat, as we move onto more detailed work such as the interconnection of critical systems, and the onlining of various electrical elements including CCTV and door access control.
Excitement is starting to build as the many months of extremely hard work from all those involved begins to show its final fruits, which will become all the more exciting as we start to see systems roar into life.
What’s next?
While build and installation works will continue in a few final areas – such as CRAC pipework, final airflow containment for extraction in Data Hall 1, and the end stages of general system containment – we are now also in a position to begin the early-stage commissioning process.
We are entering an exciting phase of the project, as things finally begin to slot back into place after a good few months of ordered chaos; a necessary evil associated with the extensive electrical work required to take the building from completed shell to functioning data centre.
Over the next few weeks, we expect to see the site visually return to a state of completion (for phase one), at which point the site will be onlined, and commissioning of critical systems will begin in earnest.
We have more exciting progress to share in this instalment of the Build Blog, as cabling continues to run into the facility at pace.
This progress has been seen across the board, from the largest runs out to external connection points, right down to the smallest termination points inside of the Data Hall PDUs.
Weekly overview
In the last two weeks, we’ve doubled the labour force involved in the electrical side of the project, adding a dedicated cable gang to the on-site trades to help push through the final cable runs, most of which are very substantial armoured cables.
This has seen the vast majority of the on-site cable drums emptied and returned to the vendor, as the cables now lay in place, with termination well underway across the board.
We also have a dedicated jointer on-site, who is heading up much of the largest termination activity, such as inside the generator canopies.
The first set of cables that make use of the external ladder runs out to the transformer, seen in place hereAnother view of the first set of cables on the transformer-to-LV room routeThis run takes cables all the way out to the transformer enclosure – these are again in a trefoil cleat arrangement, as with the LV Room interlink cablesThe GRP enclosure for the transformer now in place atop the previously poured baseThe cables that connect to the transformer take a direct route around the perimeter of the front compound, with rear-mounted security panelling to be installed soonAnother view of this particular containment run in the front compoundThis is the view back towards the building, with the containment and cabling penetrating the skin of the building, pending final capping and fireproofingSome of the newly emptied cable drums, which have since had their contents run into the facilityTermination of the main LV boards is now well underway, with a view here inside one of the main enclosures in LV Room AAnother of the main enclosures in LV Room A, with the termination now completeThis is a view of one of the main enclosures prior to any termination, after glandingHere we see one of the same enclosures mid-way through terminationThe same enclosure as it reaches completionThis view under one of the LV Room floors shows the next layer of containment and cabling going in over the top of the base layerA view of some of the ladder work on the first floor, which now contains the runs which will feed Data Hall 1 with protected, conditioned powerA look inside one of the PDUs in Data Hall 1, as the final termination beginsThis view shows some of the cables as they make use of the riser in LV Room BThis is the view of the external containment which heads to the generators, as the cabling nears completionAnother view of the generator cables as they enter the buildingA look across the rear of the generators, where this cabling will soon enter each unitThe generator cables enter the building here, and then pass into LV Room A for onward handling – these holes will all be fire stopped and finished with tight-fitting decorated panelsThe transformer route shown here now contains all cabling as necessary to liven up the site during commissioningAnother view of the transformer cabling, with the earthing now in placeA view of the transformer cabling as it reaches the enclosure, ready for connection into the transformer once that is installedHere we see one of our custom ODFs, of which there are two in Data Hall 1 for diversity – this angle shows the installed overhead cable ladder bridging across to Pod 1The VESDA pipework installation is now underway in Data Hall 1A look at the pipework as it begins to be installed along air pathways, in this case on the supplementary CRAC unit intakes, which now have their automatic dampers fittedThe pipework is also installed along the main CREC exhaust and recirculation louvres
This has been a fantastic fortnight for project development, with tremendous progress on the cabling side of things.
We’ve been very excited to see all of the cabling begin to disappear under the floor and into the risers, ready for termination and testing. We’re also very excited to see some additional visual elements installed, such as the bright red VESDA air sampling pipework.
What’s next?
We will continue with progress on all things electrical. As cable pulling nears completion, focus will shift more completely onto termination, along with supplementary power installations, including small scale non-critical power delivery to things like cleaner’s sockets.
Beyond this, the VESDA pipework installations will continue, and with the arrival of additional cabling for things such as the CREC control and monitoring system, this will also begin to take shape.
Focus on the Build Blog this time around has been firmly on progress with cabling and containment, which continues to develop across the entire site.
A hefty quantity of the largest internal cabling is now all in place, totalling around 8 tonnes. This will now be terminated, along with a host of smaller internal cabling, while additional large external cabling is run in thereafter, as we head ever closer to energisation at London East.
Weekly overview
We’ll get straight into the photos again this time around, as we take a look at cabling and containment developments on-site at NLE.
Containment has now firmly breached into the exterior areas of the new site, with the runs to the four generators taking shape hereAnother view of the generator containment as it works its way around to the point of entry on each gen setA closer view of the twin ladder runs out to the generators, to account for the large quantity of cabling required to connect these units back to the main switchboards and controllersWhat look to be simple drops across to the generators actually required considerable effort, as solid concrete and brickwork edging had to be excavated to allow for the ladder to pass through to the required locationOn the other side of the front compound, the twin ladder runs to the transformer have started to be installedHere we see the supporting slotted channel being prepared for installation on this solid block wall, which will house the transformer cable runs as they pass into the buildingThe external skin of the building has been modified to allow cabling to enter and pass along this routeHere’s a view of the uncovered cable ladder which sits under the floor in the ground floor access corridorHere we seem a temporary blanking panel in place until the ladder is ready to pass through the building – additional tray is being run in to hold AC pipework for traditional systems that will support supplementary areas of the buildingThe transformer base is now ready for the installation of the GRP enclosure, and the transformer itselfThis is a view inside of LV Room B, as some of the large ~300kg inter-room cables are run in, which will link the LV boards for various functions / reasons – they are simply laid in loose at this point in timeThis is the drum of cabling for connecting out to the generators, which clocks in at 2.2 tonnesOne of the first drums to be emptied – this was a 1.8 tonne spool, which is now all run in under the floor between the LV rooms – this will be modified and become an outside table for clients to useAnother finished drum, slightly smaller this time, equating to around 1.2 tonnesA look into LV Room A, with the cabling being pulled into its trefoil cleats A view into the main LV Room cabling route as they enter LV Room B, showing the cleats as they hold the cables down to the floor mounted channelAnother view into LV Room B as the routes continue to take shape, and the tails are fed all the way into the boardsEarth cable being pulled into the floor, which again will interconnect the LV RoomsA view into LV Room A, as the earth cables are laid into position ahead of cleatingHere we see the earth cabling being pulled into its cleated arrangement, which brings this main route to its full stateA look down the main cable route between LV Rooms, showing the multiple trefoils and earthing bundles and they run between the two main boards
As you can see, the main focus here has been on continued progression with cabling and containment, which will continue into the next instalment of the Build Blog.
As always, other works have of course been underway, both in the development of London East, and elsewhere across our ever-growing operation, however we’re keeping this post concise and on topic.
What’s next?
As with the previous ‘what’s next?’ update, we’re looking at more of the same over the next few weeks. We have a vast amount of cabling and termination to undertake, which we hope to see nearing completion by the time we next post to the Build Blog.
We’ll also be moving onto further work on fire and VESDA systems, and will be moving ahead with commissioning on cooling systems, as well as continued work on power, such as the roll out of ‘small power infrastructure’ (supplementary building-wide power sockets for cleaning equipment etc).
Vast changes again this time, as the electrical works push on at pace both inside and outside of the new facility.
While visually the site now appears a little less finished than before, with masses of flooring taken up to accommodate the newly installed containment and cabling, from a more wholistic view point, things are pushing forwards in a big way at the moment.
Weekly overview
The pace of work and progress on-site has certainly been turned up a gear, as multiple trades now work together on various aspects of the facility’s power systems, alongside work on other related areas to maintain solid progression throughout.
We have a lot of photos to present this time around, so rather than spending too much time on the introduction, we’ll let them do the talking.
Our LV boards have arrived with us, split across two deliveries due to their sizeThis first batch of boards shown here are destined for LV Room AWe were able to swing the boards right into the loading bay, ready for pre-staging ahead of them being rolled into their final position on their respective plinthsThe first couple of sections of the board now coupled together in LV Room AHere we can see into the gland plate enclosures, where the large armoured cables will soon enter the boards to feed the various breakers seen in the chambers aboveHere is another view of LV Room A, with the UPS Boards now also in their final places opposite the main boardThe size of these boards makes taking a photo of them tricky – getting them all in view is nearly impossible – a wide angle lens in on our shopping list!A view from the door of LV Room A, looking towards the boards now full situated, coupled, levelled and locked offThis is the view down one of the risers, as the containment between floors begins to take shape, and specialist containment for fire cable routes is run inA look at some of the containment in place to hold the ladder work under the floorHere we see the floor starting to go back down in Data Hall 1, now that the whips are in place – more on that further down in this postAnother view of the floor back in place at the rear of Row A in Pod 1, with only the termination at the PDU end to goLots of inter-room pathways have been made for cable routes in the past few weeksThe largest cables will be cleated to the ground, with slotted channel now fixed to the ground along these routes to accommodate thisHere we see the slotted channel in place under the floor in the LV RoomsThe main containment runs out to the generators are also starting to take shapeFurther progress has also been made outside the building, with the trenches dug for the ducting that will carry our HV feeds into our demiseThe main run of trench to take the ductwork out to the roadsideHere’s a look at the poured transformer base, with the shutter forming fully removedA look at some of the machinery on-site to undertake the ground workThe trench continues to the road, with steel plates in place to bridge the gap for access while the top remains openHere we see some of the smaller drums of earth cabling for this phase of the project arriving to siteHere’s one of the larger drums of earth cable, clocking in at around 750kgSome more of the earth cabling in storage, along with a large quantity of the ladder to be installed around the facilityA sizable delivery of the larger armoured cabling that will run between the LV rooms, and to the Data HallsSome of these drums are around 2 metres in diameter, with the delivery clocking in at circa eight tonnesSome more of the drums inside, awaiting their time to land on the large 10 tonne axels we have for pulling them in – each single length of cable can weigh as much as 300kg, and needs to be pulled in using special rollersA view of the cabling as it is laid under the floor, between the LV RoomsMuch of the floor has come up to allow for the cabling to be routed, along with the temporary removal of the UPS boardsThe cabling has been partly stripped here, and installed into the gland plate ready for eventual terminationThis view shows the cables starting to be cleated together, which run the width of the building between the two LV Rooms – there are 15 more cables to join this first threeThe first set of cables reaching LV Room B, which will interlink the two boardsThis view further shows some of the underfloor containment, which is multi-layered in the LV Rooms (top layer removed here)This is a view of the now completed cabinet-side whip cabling in Data Hall 1, which will feed each of the racks with diverse powerThis room alone has eaten up over 2km of cabling, with well over 3,000 ties holding it all down to the trayData Hall 1 has been flood cabled with feeds for all eventual rack locations, including the currently vacant spots for Pod 2Diverse cable routes always take pathways which reduce cross-over, in this instance only happening once, where A and B feeds need to move past each other as each pod is cross-fed – a cable bridge has been installed to handle thisAs always, the devil is in the detail, and we’re very pleased with how the underfloor cabling has come together in Data Hall 1A view down the length of Row B, with all commando sockets in place, and earth bonding for both the racks and the raised floor visibleThe A and B feeds to each rack only converge at the rack itself, otherwise maintaining fully separated routes throughoutKeeping routes so strictly diverse in this way requires far more cabling and containment, which comes with a great deal of additional cost and labour, however it is vital for true client-facing A/B redundancy
As you can see, it’s been a busy few weeks on-site here at NLE.
Things are certainly ramping up as we move into the closing stages of the opening phase of the project, which will allow our first clients to install kit into Data Hall 1.
It’s certainly a rather intense time to be a part of the NLE project, as multiple trades push on with various aspects of the build in tandem, ultimately taking us towards the finish line at pace, and in line with expectations on our phase one launch.
What’s next?
For the time being, much of the same. Progress will continue on electrical over the coming weeks, and we will also be pushing ahead with other areas, including the various cooling systems throughout the facility.
