New server room reduces flood risk
"Comms Room Services has been able to deliver a complex and very bespoke solution within our limited budget and tight timescales. The modular room concept provides the Council with a really secure and environmentally friendly future proof solution."

Nick Harding, Head of IT, Rushmoor Borough Council

Challenge
The server room in the offices of Rushmoor Borough Council in Farnborough, Hampshire, is located directly below a staff canteen facility and has, in the past, been subject to water ingress from above. The server room could not be moved as there was no other suitable location. It had to be made watertight and protected from the identified water hazard. In addition, the existing air conditioning, fire suppression and environmental monitoring systems had become unreliable and a more sustainable solution was required for the future.

Solution
A new, modular comms room was specified and built – in a live environment – within the existing space using the 'Modusec' modular room panelling system with a waterproof layer over the top of the whole structure.

All equipment was moved out, moved back and, in some cases, upgraded. New walls – water proof and 90 minutes fire rated (60 minutes approved) – were fitted and lined and sealed with a made-to-measure butyl liner laid over a felt. All wall panels were resin sealed to the concrete floor.

The new build also included a secure door to the office, a raised floor, new server cabinets, air conditioning, environmental monitoring, uninterruptable power supply, green fire suppression solution and shutdown and callout system.

The environmental systems provide monitoring of the room such that key staff are advised by text alerts in the event of fire, excessive temperature, water leaks and failure of key systems such as UPS, generator and air conditioning. And, an automatic, controlled shut down is activated in the event of fire or over-temperature conditions.

Benefits
An updated and future proofed, more secure server room in which water hazards have been managed, fire ratings improved and new equipment introduced to increase overall safety and enhance operating efficiency to customers using the IT service. Through careful planning, the Council has significantly reduced its overall carbon footprint by introducing a single unified UPS system and by modernising its power distribution systems.