Insights from the heart of data centre innovation

Al Cohen's recommendation for DataCenterix Clients:

Data Center Site Selection Requirements

Before evaluating any site for Tier 3 certification or higher, the following baseline criteria from TIA-924-A-2012 must be met. These are non-negotiable requirements for risk mitigation and operational reliability.

Basic Location Requirements (TIA-924-A-2012)

· External equipment security – Any cooling equipment, generators, fuel tanks, or provider access gear located outside customer space must be adequately secured. In the Midwest, this includes withstanding a 120 MPH wind load.
· 24/7 owner access – The data center owner requires round-the-clock access to external equipment areas. Sites within 0.5 mile of a major sporting venue are automatically disqualified (event-related road closures make this impossible).
· Parking garages – The computer room must not be placed in close proximity to a parking garage.
· Natural disaster zones – Avoid 100-year flood plains, areas near earthquake faults, hillsides with slide risk, and locations downstream from dams or water towers.
· Airport flight paths – The site must not lie under any airport flight path.
· Railroads & interstate highways – No closer than 0.5 mile (0.8 km) to reduce risk from chemical spills.
· Hazardous or sensitive zones – No closer than 0.25 mile (0.4 km) to research labs, chemical plants, landfills, rivers, coastlines, or dams.
· Major airports – No closer than 5 miles (8.0 km).
· Military bases – No closer than 0.5 mile (0.8 km) (includes National Guard armories and reserve unit headquarters).
· Nuclear, munitions, or defense plants – No closer than 1 mile (1.6 km).

Additional Site Selection Considerations

Power Grid

· Confirm that the local utility grid has adequate capacity and overhead. (Example: parts of the Midwest benefit from the “Rust Belt effect,” where power distribution systems operate well below maximum capacity.)
· Grids near major downtown areas tend to have older, less reliable infrastructure.

Building Perimeter & Buffer Zone

· Is there a buffer zone between the data center building and the property line?
· Does the building directly border a street or sidewalk? (If yes, increased security risk.)
· Is the site within 0.5 mile of a likely terrorist target (e.g., major sports venue)? If so, avoid.

Structural Standards

· Does the structure meet IBC Construction Type 1B?
· Are exterior walls and roof rated for 120 MPH wind loads?

These requirements form the foundation of a resilient, secure, and operationally sound data center location. Please ensure any potential site is screened against this checklist before proceeding to Tier-level planning.