Re: DATACENTER: Mixed Use Facility

[Robert Szarka <szarka@downcity.net>]

At 03:25 AM 6/6/99 , Sean Donelan wrote:
>Robert Szarka <szarka@downcity.net> writes:
>>We'll own the building, so the only wall bashing we need to worry about is
>>cars careening out of control or mercenary RBOC assault teams.  The
>>building is brick construction--would folks agree that "8 inch reinforced
>>concrete" a la
>>http://www.thestandard.com/articles/display/0%2C1449%2C4804%2C00.html?home.tf
>>might be a little much, or is that sort of thing likely to be a concern?
>>(I should ask, will it be *perceived* as a concern by folks to whom we want
>>to rent co-lo space?)
>
>Distance is your best protection.  Ideally you want to stop the car or
>RBOC assault team as far away from the walls of your facility as possible.

Difficult to impossible in this location, though no worse and possibly
better than the ILEC's own CO.  However, we can buffer the data center
itself within the building.

>You're correct, it has a lot more to do with perception than reality.
>If your threat analysis includes well-trained and well-funded adversaries,
>normal 8-inch reinforced concrete can be penetrated in about 15 minutes
>assuming they want to access, remove or preserve whatever is behind the
>wall. Obviously if they just want to destroy the facility, there are even
>faster methods. The reality is a) very few co-location facilities face that
>type of threat, b) the worst-case theoretical loss isn't enough to justify
>more expensive protection, and c) building a bunker which greatly exceeds
>its supporting infrastructure is pretty much a waste of money.  There is
>a reason why insurance exists.

Well stated.  I can pretty safely say that we won't be hosting the Secret
Service or Sanford Wallace, and the ILEC probably would resort to attack
lawyers before mercenaries (to the extent that there is a difference), so
we're not going to present a big, juciy target.  Does anyone have a rule of
thumb for what is required to stop a car travelling at a particular speed?

>Your salesperson should be able to address the issue using your facility
>risk analysis.  Other physical protection measures include alarms, fences,
>green space, concrete planters, etc.  Or point out a more balanced
>approach to other factors, such as explaining how the risk analysis
>addresses multiple types of hazards, such as a better power plant, other
>access control, better service, higher grade HVAC, etc.  Or once again,
>distance is your best protection.  If you have multiple co-location
>facilities around the region/country/world, your salesperson may want to
>discuss the advantages of diversification.

Good point!  Obviously I need to think more like a salesman.  :)

>I would be somewhat concerned about brick construction for a regional
>or national level data center.  It may be ok for a local co-location
>facility.  Brick in combination with some special construction techniques
>can work.  But standard brick construction has a higher risk in earthquake
>or high wind (projectile) situations than more specialized construction.
>Unless it is a old building, more than likely it is a brick veneer over
>some other construction method.  The best thing to do is hire a good
>architect and talk to your insurance agent to better understand your
>risks.  They may be able to suggest a few improvements which can help
>a lot, or point out if you have a hopeless case before you get too far
>into it.  One hint: don't forget about the roof.  In many buildings the
>roof is the 'weakest' part of the structure.

We're talking about a relatively local facility and the building is about
90 years old and quite solid (though obviously I'm going to get a
professional to confirm that).  Because we are in Connecticut, the weather
and earthquake situation is relatively tame.  Snow is more likely to be a
problem, which does make the roof important.  The roof is slate, and
changing that is not an option though repairing it is.  Does anyone here
have suggestions about what, aside from the obvious water damage, to look
for in the roof?

What do folks do about damage from one floor impacting the floor below?  If
memory serves, MAE-West and TCG's New Haven facility are both in middle
floors of office buildings.  Anyone know what they do to address the threat?

(BTW, thanks Sean and everyone for the replies.  It's a little less lonely
out here in eastern Connecticut with great lists like this.  :)


-- 

Robert Szarka
Managing Partner, Operations
DownCity, LLC
+1 860 823 3000