Data Center Site Selection
Checklist
ITA – Premium: Selection Advice
Introduction: How to Use This Tool
Use this checklist to aid in the process of selecting a new site for the data center. When visiting potential building
sites, print the checklist off and take it along to record impressions and comments on the building and/or its
location.
Fill in Table 1 with the sites details on location, ownership, and size.
To use Table 2, check off the appropriate columns for each item as they are assessed. Columns are recorded
using the following:
• Yes – the site fully conforms.
• PAR – Partial conformity. NOTE: If a partial conformity exists, an explanation describing the partial
conformity along with planned actions to remediate should be entered in the comments field.
• No – Does not conform. NOTE: If a non-conformity exists describe the non-conformity and if any action to
remediate is planned. Also note where no remediation is possible.
• N/A – Not applicable
Table 1. Site Details
Site Address:
Location Type:
(i.e. Urban, Suburban, Industrial complex)
Is it in an existing building or a new building?
Floor Number
Leased or owned?
Floor space (square feet):
Table 2. Building Site Selection Checklist
Item
Item Yes PAR NO N/A Comments
#
1 Are there low risks from
environmental threats such
as:
Aircraft traffic?
1.1 Earthquakes?
1.2 Floods?
1.3 Hurricanes or tornados?
Data Center Site Selection
Checklist
ITA – Premium: Selection Advice
1.4 Heavy ice or snow?
1.5 Nearby hazardous industry?
1.6 Does the location have a
high crime rate?
2 Are there secure utility
service entries?
3 Does the site have the ability
to limit or restrict physical
access to the data center?
4 Is hard water a potential
problem?
5 Are multiple-grid
commercial power services
available?
6 Are there data/voice
communications nearby and
capable of supporting
requirements?
7 Is there public transportation
available nearby?
8 Is there adequate parking
available?
9 Is the parking area physically
separated from the building
by barriers?
10 Is the labor market adequate
to support requirements?
11 Is the loading dock access at
truck bed height?
12 Are there ramps for loading
dock?
13 Are there local ordinance
restricting truck/delivery
traffic?
14 Is loading dock and staging
area secure and segregated
from sensitive areas?
Data Center Site Selection
Checklist
ITA – Premium: Selection Advice
15 Can elevators, ramps, doors,
and other passageways
accommodate large
equipment?
16 Is the stand-by generator
physically isolated and
secured?
17 Is the UPS (batteries) located
in a separate, secured, and
ventilated area?
18 Is special floor loading
required for UPS, generators,
cooling or other heavy
equipment?
19 Can the computer room(s) be
made air-tight if a gaseous
fire suppression agent is to
be used?
20 Computer room(s): Positive
drainage of area under raised
floor?
21 Computer room(s): Positive
check valve to prevent sewer
gases or other drain backup?
22 No external windows in
computer room(s)?
23 If there are internal windows
are they shatter-proof and
secure?
24 Raised floor does not require
ramps for access (e.g.,
sunken floor design).
25 Are water lines under
computer room floor only
used for cooling equipment?
26 Is the flooring surface able to
withstand freight handling
equipment without damage?
Data Center Site Selection
Checklist
ITA – Premium: Selection Advice
27 Are equipment staging areas
secure, conditioned, and
physically separated from
computer room(s)?
28 Is there no evidence of
power outages to the
facility? If evidence of
outages exists describe
frequency and durations.
29 Does power to the facility
appear clean? Is there visual
evidence of light flicker, or
the existence of motors and
other industrial equipment on
the site?
30 Is there a record of the
electrical utility’s
performance data
(interruptions)?
31 Does the site have power
metering and monitoring
solutions?
32 Is computer room(s) supplied
by separate power feed?
33 Does the facility have
isolated equipment
grounding in place?
34 Is the facility protected from
transient ground faults and
lighting?
35 Is there a secure, building
code compliant fuel storage
area for generators?
36 Does adequate hot water
supply exist for humidifiers
servicing the data center?
Data Center Site Selection
Checklist
ITA – Premium: Selection Advice
37 Is external cooling
equipment (chillers, pumps,
towers) able to be secured
and made accessible only by
authorized personnel?
38 Is there room for expansion?
_____________________________________________________
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Data Center Site Selection
Checklist
ITA – Premium: Selection Advice
