Data Center Annual Review Checklist

ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

Introduction: How to Use This Tool

Use this template to capture the current base line metrics for the facility as input to your capacity planning and assessment processes. Completing
an annual review of the Data Center resource utilization and physical condition plays a crucial part in overall capacity planning and IT
effectiveness. Comparing the current base-line state against information captured in future facility reviews will provide IT with the required input to
ensure adequate and cost-effect support for the future business needs.

Data Center Annual Review Checklist

Date: Operator/Supervisor:
Time:
mm/dd/y (Person completing
(24 hour time)
y this form)

Current Facility Profile

Overview of the Facility
Item Current Result Change from Last Review
Age of Facility
Total Square Footage
Square Footage allocated to ‘Raised
Floor’
Square Footage allocated to
Mechanical Rooms
Square Footage allocated to General
Office space
Supported End User Population
Number of Devices Connected to
Network
Number of Physical Servers
Number of Logical Servers
Number of Printers within Facility
Number of Data Center Staff

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Data Center Annual Review Checklist
ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

Utilities and Power

Utilities and Power Overview
Item Current Result Change from Last Review
Data Center Electricity Feed (kVA)
Single or dual grid electricity feed
Present total IT load in kW
Average annual unit cost of electricity
in ¢/kWh
Number of Physical Servers
Number of Logical Servers
Number of Printers within Facility
Number of Data Center Staff

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Data Center Annual Review Checklist
ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

Data Center Cooling

HVAC Temperature and Humidity Readings (from panel)

Unit
Inspection Item Observations/Conditions
Identification
HVAC 1 Temperature between 68 – 77 °F (20 – 25 °C)? Temp:
Humidity between 40 – 55% R.H.? Humidity:

Any visible signs of leakage (refrigerant, water)? Note any special conditions observed (below):
Any visible signs of overheating or filter clogging?

HVAC 2 Temperature between 68 – 77 °F (20 – 25 °C)? Temp:

Humidity between 40 – 55% R.H.? Humidity:

Any visible signs of leakage (refrigerant, water)? Note any special conditions observed (below):
Any visible signs of overheating or filter clogging?

External Condensers
Unit
Inspection Item Observations/Conditions
Identification
COND1 Are fans observed to be running normally? Note any special conditions observed (below):
Any visible signs of leakage (refrigerant, water)?
Any visible signs of overheating?

COND2 Are fans observed to be running normally? Note any special conditions observed (below):
Any visible signs of leakage (refrigerant, water)?
Any visible signs of overheating?

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Data Center Annual Review Checklist
ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

Data Center Stand-by Power

UPS System Status

Unit
Inspection Item Observations/Conditions
Identification
UPS1 Is the UPS offline or online? Note any special conditions observed (below):
“Lamp test” or is display operational?
Are there alarms or faults indicated?

Is there evidence of other problems with this unit, e.g. smells,

leakage, excessive heat?

UPS2 Is the UPS offline or online? Note any special conditions observed (below):
“Lamp test” or is display operational?
Are there alarms or faults indicated?

Is there evidence of other problems with this unit, e.g. smells,

leakage, excessive heat?

UPS / PDU Overview

Item Current Result Change from Last Review
What is the age of the UPS?
UPS efficiency at 50% load
Load factor percentage per active UPS
module
Age of PDUs and/or downstream
transformers
Load factor percentage per each PDU
UPS Runtime (from power outages) in
hours

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Data Center Annual Review Checklist
ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

Generator System Panels and Status Displays

Unit
Inspection Item Observations/Conditions
Identification
GENSET1 Is the display for the remote annunciation panel operational?

Are there alarms or faults indicated?

Record the generator fuel level. Fuel level:
Record the battery voltage. Battery voltage:
Record the generator engine coolant temperature (if applicable). Coolant temp:

Is there evidence of other problems with this unit, e.g. smells, Note any special conditions observed(below):
leakage, excessive heat?

GENSET2 Is the display for the remote annunciation panel operational?

Are there alarms or faults indicated?

Record the generator fuel level. Fuel level:
Record the battery voltage. Battery voltage:
Record the generator engine coolant temperature (if applicable). Coolant temp:

Is there evidence of other problems with this unit, e.g. smells, Note any special conditions observed(below):
leakage, excessive heat?

Generator Overview
Item Current Result Change from Last Review
What is the age of the GENSET?
Load factor percentage per active UPS
Generator start time
Fuel Storage Capacity
Estimated runtime from onsite fuel stores
Annual Generator runtime in hours

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Data Center Annual Review Checklist
ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

Data Center Fire Detection and Suppression

Fire Protection System Panel and Systems Status

Unit
Inspection Item Observations/Conditions
Identification
FPPANEL1 Is the display for the annunciation panel operational?

Are there alarms or faults indicated?

Visibly inspect all fire extinguishers. Have any been discharged or

are not at full capacity?

Emergency lighting units operational (test function)?

Fire Detection and Suppression Overview

Item Current Result Change from Last Review
What is the age of the Fire Suppression
system
Type of Primary Fire Suppression
Type of Secondary Fire Suppression
Number of annual false alarms

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Data Center Annual Review Checklist
ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

General Condition of Facility

Observations/Conditions
Inspection Item
(Note any change from last review)
Are there secure (underground) electric and communications utility service
entries?
Is computer room(s) supplied by separate power feed?
Does the building layout present the ability to limit or restrict physical access to the
data center?
Is hard water a potential problem?
Are multiple-grid commercial power services available?
Are there data/voice communications nearby and are they capable of supporting
requirements?
Is there nearby public transportation available?
Is there adequate parking available?
Is the parking area equipped with barriers or landscaping to segregate vehicles
from the external walls?
Is the labor market adequate to support requirements?
Does the external profile of the building conceal the existence of a data center
facility?
Are the external walls of the facility constructed to prevent unauthorized access?
Do ground floor windows exist in the facility?
Is the loading dock access at truck bed height?
Are there ramps for the loading dock?
Is loading dock and staging area secure and segregated from sensitive areas?
Are there local ordinance restricting truck/delivery traffic?
Is the parking area equipment with barriers or landscaping to segregate vehicles
from the external walls?
Can elevators, ramps, doors, and other passageways accommodate large
equipment?
Is the stand-by generator physically isolated and secured?
Is special floor loading required for UPS, generators, cooling or other heavy
equipment?
Is the UPS (batteries) located in a separate, secured and ventilated area?

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Data Center Annual Review Checklist
ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

Is there secure, building code compliant fuel storage for generators?

No external windows in computer room(s)?
If there are external windows, are they shatter-proof and secure?
Are equipment staging areas secure, conditioned and physically separated from
computer room(s)?
Raised floor does not require ramps for access (e.g., sunken floor design).
Are water lines under computer room floor only used for cooling equipment only?
Is the flooring surface able to withstand freight handling equipment without
damage?
Does adequate hot water supply exist for humidifiers servicing the data center?
Do all fire doors comply with local fire codes (or other relevant regional, national, or
regulatory standards)?
Are the external fire doors failsafe?
Can the computer room(s) be made air-tight if a gaseous fire suppression agent is
to be used?
Computer room(s): Positive drainage of area under raised floor?
Computer room(s): Positive check valve to prevent sewer gases or other drain
backup?
Are equipment staging areas secure, conditioned and physically separated from
computer room(s)?
Is external cooling equipment (chillers, pumps, towers) able to be secured and
made accessible only by authorized personnel?
Is there evidence of frequent or extended power outages to the facility? If evidence
of outages exists describe frequency and durations.
Does power to the facility appear clean? Visual evidence of light flicker, or the
existence of motors and other industrial equipment on the site.
Can the electrical utility’s performance data be reviewed (i.e. interruptions)?
Does the site have power metering and monitoring solutions?
Does the facility have isolated equipment grounding in place?
Is the facility protected from transient ground faults and lighting?
Is external cooling equipment (chillers, pumps, towers) able to be secured and
made accessible only by authorized personnel?
Does the site have temperature and humidity metering and monitoring solutions?
Does the facility utilize a conduit to protect data communications?
Is there room for expansion?

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Data Center Annual Review Checklist
ITA – Premium: Operate & Optimize

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