The old rule of thumb for open-air data centers with subfloor cold air -- 9 ft plus 1 ft for every 20W/sq ft in heat density -- becomes difficult to apply beyond 100W/sq ft or so. Higher densities involving more close-coupled cooling reduce the need for overhead (and subfloor) plenums, so ceiling height can be reduced to the needs of equipment plus overhead utilities -- electrical, plumbing, data, fire suppression, lighting.
Ken
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