13. Does the space comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? Proper ramp lengths, handrails, door levers, etc should be investigated to comply with this law.
14. If an existing data processing room, has it had a pressurization test? This determines how well sealed the room is to contain both cooling and fire suppression gas.
15. If an existing raised floor system is in place- what type is it? Bolted stringer or snap in? Hollow metal, wood or concrete filled? Zinc plated? Basket weave stringers? Understanding your existing raised floor system is important particularly its load capacity and whether the material was constructed with zinc. Zinc plated raised floor panels are known to cause zinc whiskers which can be harmful to electronic equipment when it is passed through the air stream and then through data processing equipment.
16. Is the under floor (floor below raised floor) sealed? This will help maintain humidity and control dust.
17. How clean and organized is the space beneath your raised floor. A dirty sub-floor can cause dust to be filtered through the data processing space which can cause harm to sensitive equipment. Proper organization of under floor cables and piping helps to manage cabling and avoid under floor damns when using down flow cooling.
18. What type of suspended ceiling system is in place? Suspended ceiling tile when moved or removed can create unwanted dust. Clean room type suspended ceiling tile provide the protection against dust as well as provide a vapor barrier.
19. What is the floor loading capacity of the existing floor? This is extremely important considering the weight of most data processing, electrical and mechanical equipment. The minimum floor load capacity for a data center should be 150-200 psi.
20. Is your envelope doors fire rated? A fire rated envelope with inserts such as doors, windows and dampers shall be fire rated with a UL listing number.
21. If an existing space, does the space between equipment meet the required manufacturer clearances? Maintaining proper clearances is important for servicing and mobility through a data processing facility.
22. Is there a freight elevator within close proximity of the data processing space? Are the doors adequately sized along the path between the space and the elevator to allow large pieces of equipment to pass through them?
23. Is there any existing sewer or domestic water pipes that pass through the space? Are there any floor drains? Keeping moisture away from your data processing equipment is important.
24. Does your space require segregation for tape, print or paper storage. These spaces generally require fire segregation from the data processing room.
25. Does the lighting meet your requirements?
26. If gas suppression is within the space is there door bottoms and gaskets at the perimeter doors?
27. Are exiting signs placed in locations that can be viewed from throughout the space?
28. Are the Emergency Power Off (EPO) buttons installed with alarmed covers to avoid accidental shut downs?
29. Is a phone located near the fire suppression abort button? This is important because an abort button can not be released or the discharge countdown will continue unless the system is reset.
30. Is an alpha-numeric system been placed on the walls to help locate equipment on the floor to a drawing? This is a useful system for laying our electrical or network cabling. It is also useful in trying to find a certain piece of equipment in a sea of homogenous boxes.
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