Re: DATACENTER: Mixed Use Facility

[Sean Donelan <SEAN@SDG.DRA.COM>]

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.

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.

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.

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.
-- 
Sean Donelan, Data Research Associates, Inc, St. Louis, MO
  Affiliation given for identification not representation