Confidential Data Centre

Project Description

Multiple data centres are being built in Frankfurt to meet the growing demand for data processing and online services. The first facility is a 36MW, two-level building on a 0.97-hectare campus, complete with electrical rooms, generator compound, and UPS systems. The second, FRAN(N), is a 12MW Tier II+ facility with an annualised PUE of 1.11 and scalable power densities. The third, FRA18, will be Frankfurt’s largest data centre and the world’s first listed data centre when completed, with 20 data halls over 8 floors and 2 roof levels, preserving the existing Eiermann Building’s architecture and the history of the former Neckermann site.

Ethos Input

Ethos provided full mechanical and electrical design services, including localisation services for a Hyperscale tenant’s data processing facility. Ethos also coordinated with the developer team to meet the tenant’s specific design requirements. As part of the design and build team, Ethos ensured that the majority of the building area was dedicated to data processing equipment rooms and supporting air conditioning equipment, with fire protection systems in place.

Unique / Key Features

These data centres feature flexible power distribution systems with reserve for critical aisles, free cooling through evaporative infrastructure and roof extract, and fire sprinklers with smoke detection. The design is scalable with in-rack cooling, and the electrical systems include redundant connections, 11 transformers, 13 diesel generators, UPS, monitoring, and security measures. The mechanical systems comprise cooling modules, BMS, and water services.