Welsh Hospital opens new data centre to support critical infrastructure

A hospital in Wales has officially received its new data center as part of a major redevelopment programme.

Secure I.T. Environments provided the 41 square metre secondary data center at the Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital (part of Wales' largest health organisation, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board) as it moves to modernise its buildings and practices. Secure I.T. has worked in close collaboration with the onsite redevelopment principal contractor Laing O'Rourke to design, supply, and install the new energy-efficient facility.

"With an ever increasing reliance on ICT underpinning the Health Board's wide-ranging clinical and business activity, it is strategically essential that we maintain fit-for-purpose data center facilities to host the many and varied systems that exist in a modern NHS ICT infrastructure," says Health Board head of information - communication technology Sion Jones.

"From procurement through to completion, SITE proved to be an excellent partner, working closely at every stage with our lead engineers. Having dealt with many ICT suppliers over the years, working with SITE revealed a refreshing experience and approach to customer satisfaction and equally, pride in what they deliver.

In terms of the technical specs, the new data center has been tailored to adhere to the Class requirements defined in BSEN 50600 parts one and two. The actual facility is made up of 16 x 19" cabinets, raised across flooring, overhead busbar power supply system, Novec fire suppression and VESDA detection system, DCiM environmental monitoring of the room and infrastructure, access control and CCTV.

Cooling and environmental controls are sustained through a chilled water system that has a capacity of 160Kw with secondary piping that supports additional chillers to achieve a Class 4 rated system. N+1 in-row air conditioning was installed in a hot aisle containment configuration.

In a separate room in close proximity to the data center are UPS systems and batteries that are derived from separate A-B power supply streams to help ensure the resilience and redundancy required in hospital environments where systems must always be available.

"Hospital projects have become a speciality for Secure I.T. Environments over the years, yet each presents its own challenges," says Secure I.T. Environments projects director Chris Wellfair.

"Our expert team was able to work closely with the hospital and primary contractor to ensure the data center was delivered on time and in budget.  We are thrilled to have also been awarded the maintenance contract for the new data center, recognising our commitment to excellent service and value.