Carl Jones, President, Cable Management & Protection at Atkore, explores the current landscape for secondary support systems and how the data centre industry is influencing design.
A recent report from CBRE on global data centre trends confirms that the data centre industry continues to expand at an unprecedented rate. It highlights that large corporations are finding it increasingly difficult to find sufficient data centre capacity, with construction delays being seen as a major contributing factor.
Changing demands
Historically, the selection of support systems in data centres was often based on immediate needs or installer preference. For example, cable management systems, support frames, tray or ladder products were procured individually to meet one-time demand.
However, today’s operators seek comprehensive engineered solutions that include design, off-site fabrication, on-site assembly, and post-installation service support.
This change is particularly important in the data centre industry, where infrastructure must be both scalable and resilient. Data centres are now critical infrastructure, especially post-Covid, as industries rely on cloud computing, remote working, and digital transactions. Suppliers must offer integrated solutions that account for future growth, utilising the full capabilities of modular and scalable support systems for easier expansion.
Cost certainty
One of the biggest challenges in data centre construction is managing cost and schedule variability. Traditional models involve multiple suppliers, contractors, and installers, each contributing to project costs and timelines. This fragmented approach often leads to delays, budget overruns, and complex coordination issues.
To address this, data centre operators are adopting single-source supply models. By working with a single manufacturer that handles everything from design and prefabrication to on-site integration, they can streamline processes and achieve greater cost certainty. This reduces the number of parties involved, cutting supply times and eliminating multiple layers of markup, which in turn simplifies budget management.
Speed of installation and reduced labour costs
Time is a critical factor in data centre projects, especially when companies are under pressure to bring facilities online quickly to meet rising data demands. With traditional stick-build methods, where components are constructed on-site, projects can face significant delays due to the complexity of assembling multiple components.
Prefabrication of support systems off-site solves this problem by reducing the amount of on-site labour required. This can represent a substantial cost saving, as labour costs often account for a significant portion of the overall project budget. For instance, data centres that employ modular, prefabricated support systems can see installation times cut by 20% to 30% compared to traditional construction methods.
Overcoming space constraints with modular solutions
Data centres are often located in urban or suburban areas where space is limited. The need to maximise every square foot of a building creates challenges for the installation of traditional support systems, which typically require large on-site storage areas and disrupt ongoing operations during installation.
Modular support systems offer a solution by enabling off-site prefabrication of key components, such as cable trays, equipment racks, and pipe supports. In a data centre environment, these prefabricated components can be delivered just-in-time for installation, minimising the need for on-site storage and reducing the space required for construction activities. This is particularly beneficial in smaller colocation data centres or edge data centres, where space is at a premium.
Additionally, modular systems allow for more efficient use of space within the data centre itself. Customised framing components can be designed to fit the specific dimensions of the facility, optimising the placement of racks, cables, and other infrastructure.
Conclusion
The shift towards integrated, modular solutions in the data centre industry is transforming how support systems are procured, installed, and maintained. Data centres must be built to accommodate future growth, while ensuring cost certainty, speed of installation, and compliance with stringent quality standards.
By embracing prefabrication, single-source supply models, and modular designs, data centre operators can streamline construction, reduce costs, and ensure their facilities are equipped to handle the evolving demands of the digital economy.
