Server Room Occupancy Classification

[Jessica Kramer]

I have a server farm - 8,675 GSF, slab on grade, 2-story building, type II-B, sprinkled. (servers sprinkled by a pre-action system)

I am doing a remodel outside of the server farm area on 1st and 2nd floor. Trying to determine how to classify the space to determine separation from Occ. Class. B - office

IBC 2015.

Thanks!

 

[cda]

Welcome

 

[cda]

I am thinking B on B

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[RLGA]

I don't know about others, but I would classify it as a Group B or, at worse, a Group S-2.

Either way, you don't need separation, because even classified as a Group S-2, the most restrictive would be Group B at 69,000 sq. ft., which is much greater than the 8,675 sq. ft. for your building; thus, you can use the nonseparated occupancies method per Section 508.3.

 

[classicT]

I'd agree with Ron. Either B to B or possibly B to S-2, but either way the B is the limiting factor, therefore most conservative approach is to call the whole thing a B.

 

[Yikes]

IBC 304.1 Group B - electronic data processing

 

[sergoodo]

If servers submerged in tanks of mineral oil for B Occupancy expect reviewer concerns requiring structural and material documentation.

 

[Jessica Kramer]

Thank you all so much for the feedback! I will proceed.

 

[e hilton]

If servers submerged in tanks of mineral oil

Really? Do they do that? Heat dissipation?

 

[north star]

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" Really ? Do they do that " Heat dissipation ? "

Yes, they really do that !......It helps to minimize
cooling a "heated" space, and by capturing the heat off of the Servers,
they can redistribute that heat to a nearby climate controlled building.

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