Proposed Energy Standard For Data Centers, Telecommunications Buildings Open For Public Comment
ASHRAE, February 20, 2015
A proposed standard from ASHRAE providing requirements for energy use in data centers is open for public input.
ASHRAE Standard 90.4P, Energy Standard for Data Centers and Telecommunications Buildings, is open for its first public review until March 30, 2015. To read the draft standard and to submit comments, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.
The standard would establish the minimum energy efficiency requirements of data centers and telecommunications buildings for design and construction and for creation of a plan for operation and maintenance, and for utilization of on-site or off-site renewable energy resources.
“The proposed standard is intended to work in concert with ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings,” Ron Jarnagin, chair of the Standard 90.4 committee said. “There is no intent to duplicate what is contained in Standard 90.1, but rather we are proposing criteria to support the specialized nature of the larger data centers. When adopted, design and construction of data centers will require the use of both Standards 90.1 and 90.4 for compliance with building codes.”
David Quirk, chair of ASHRAE’s Technical Committee 9.9, Mission Critical Facilities, Technology Spaces and Electronic Equipment, noted that the intent of Standard 90.4P is to create a performance based approach that would be more flexible and accommodating of innovative change, which can occur rapidly in data center design, construction and operation.