The rise of AI has led to an unprecedented demand for data centers to power, process, and store information.
While these 100,000 square-foot server farms have succeeded in supporting cloud computing giants like Amazon and Google, one key oversight has frustrated local communities – the levels of low frequency noise that cause sleep disturbances, impaired cognitive function, anxiety, and an increased risk of heart disease.
All buildings have the potential to produce unwanted noise; however, a data center has specific needs that make them especially loud — back-up generators, server halls, cooling towers, chillers, and air handling units.
Here’s more information on the 5 sources of data center noise and the solutions to control it.
What is the Underlying Cause of Noise in Data Centers?
Businesses are completely reliant on data centers to continue operations and provide critical services. If data centers experience downtime, businesses could suffer costly disruptions – and in some cases, data loss. To keep servers operating around the clock, data centers must employ efficient cooling technologies to prevent the data hall from overheating.
While cooling technologies help keep servers running, this equipment contributes greatly to environmental noise. The CDC states that noise levels at or above 85dBA are detrimental to our health and could lead to hearing loss, which puts data center workers at risk. While residents aren’t likely to experience data center noise up close and personal, the low frequency waves emitted travel far and wide to pester locals with a constant humming sound.
1. Cooling Towers
Located on the facility’s rooftop, cooling towers take in the hot water from the building’s chiller, disperse it into the atmosphere, and return the remaining cool water into the facility. Data centers typically have 2-3 rooftop cooling towers, and these systems generate noise levels of up to 85dBA.
2. Air Handling Units
Rooftop air handling units are a noise concern for any building environment, especially data centers. Depending on the size, a data center could have up to a dozen rooftop AHUs all generating 85-100dBA each. This high decibel noise can easily break out and invade nearby areas.
3. Air-Cooled Chillers
There are liquid chillers and air-cooled chillers. The former is often located within a building while the latter is located on the roof or outside at ground level. Outdoor air-cooled chillers use fans to remove heat from the building and release it into the atmosphere.
While these fans contribute to environmental noise, the chiller’s compressor is the real problem. Generating up to 100dBA, chiller compressors produce noise levels comparable to a Harley Davidson zooming down the highway.
4. Indoor Servers
A data center can be one of the loudest workplaces due to noise emitted from the hundreds of servers in a data hall. While the internal cooling fans greatly contribute to environmental noise concerns, the one or two people working within the data center suffer even more. Forced to endure noise levels of 80-90dBA, data center workers could be the first to experience the negative health effects of long-term noise exposure.
5. Back-Up Diesel Generators
Unexpected weather events or other circumstances could cause a power outage that shuts down an entire data center. However, mission-critical data centers don’t have time for downtime. So, data centers use back-up diesel generators to ensure a business’s digital infrastructure stays intact. While these generators support businesses, residents pay the price by enduring noise levels of up to 110dBA.
Common Solutions to Combat Noise Pollution from Data Centers
When you put all of these components together, it makes for a pretty loud building. Luckily, there are several solutions to help combat noise break out and keep data centers and the surrounding area healthy.
Acoustical louvers are a common solution for data centers because they utilize metal blades to reduce noise while ensuring adequate air flow from an air handling unit. Other solutions like barrier walls can be installed around the roof or perimeter of the data center to contain noise and prevent low frequency sound waves from reaching nearby neighborhoods.
Contact the Ketchum & Walton Co. Team Today
As data centers continue to grow, it’s vital that we do not put technological innovation over our public health. Our team is committed to helping you reduce data center noise and ensure a healthy environment for workers and nearby areas. Contact our sales representatives today to schedule a consultation today.