Waveform distortion is a type of AC power quality anomaly that occurs when the shape of the voltage or current waveform deviates from the ideal sinusoidal shape. Waveform distortion can be caused by nonlinear loads, such as rectifiers, inverters, variable frequency drives, and electronic devices, that draw current in pulses or harmonics. Waveform distortion can result in overheating, reduced efficiency, malfunctioning, or damage of equipment.

Cost of downtime is the total amount of money lost due to a data centre outage or disruption. It can be classified into two categories: direct and indirect. Direct costs are the immediate and measurable expenses incurred during or after an outage, such as lost revenue, lost productivity, recovery costs, compensation costs, penalties, etc. Indirect costs are the long-term and intangible impacts of an outage, such as reputation damage, customer dissatisfaction, loss of market share, legal liabilities, etc. Both direct and indirect costs can vary depending on the type, duration, and severity of the outage, as well as the industry, size, and location of the data centre.

Infrared humidifiers are a type of humidifier that use quartz lamps to heat water in an open pool and evaporate it into the air. They are energy-intensive and require frequent maintenance and cleaning. They are not recommended for data centers, as they can introduce contaminants and bacteria into the air, and increase the risk of fire and electrical hazards.

The most damaging type of floor load for raised floor tiles in a data centre is the rolling load (RL), according to the CDCP Preparation Guide1 and various web sources234. A rolling load is the load that is applied by a moving object, such as a pallet jack, a forklift, or a rack on wheels. A rolling load can cause more stress and fatigue on the raised floor tiles than a static load, such as a concentrated load (CP) or a uniformly distributed load (UDL), because it creates dynamic forces and impacts that can crack, dent, or deform the tiles. Moreover, a rolling load can also damage the pedestals and stringers that support the tiles, and cause the tiles to become loose or misaligned. Therefore, when designing and installing a raised floor system, it is important to consider the maximum rolling load that the tiles can withstand, and to use appropriate materials and methods to enhance the strength and durability of the tiles. For example, some possible solutions include using steel or concrete-filled tiles, reinforcing the edges and corners of the tiles, and using locking or gravity-held systems to secure the tiles.

A service corridor is a dedicated space within or adjacent to a data centre that allows access to the supporting facilities, such as power, cooling, fire suppression, security, and cabling systems, without interfering with the computer room operations. A service corridor helps to isolate the noise, vibration, heat, and dust generated by the supporting facilities from the sensitive equipment in the computer room. A service corridor also enhances the safety and efficiency of the maintenance and monitoring activities, as well as the flexibility and scalability of the data centre design.

Escape route signage should be placed at every door providing a pathway to the exit or the assembly area, according to the CDCP Preparation Guide1 and the EU Safety/Health Signs Directive2. Escape route signage is used to guide the occupants of the data centre from wherever they are in the building, via a place of relative safety (the escape route), to the place of ultimate safety (the assembly area). Escape route signage should not be limited to only emergency escape doors or the main entrance of the data centre building, as these may not be accessible or visible from all locations. Escape route signage should also not include doors that do not lead to the exit or the assembly area, such as riser doors, doors of storage closets, or doors of other rooms, as these may confuse or mislead the occupants. Escape route signage should be placed at every door that provides a pathway to the exit or the assembly area, and should indicate the direction and distance of the escape route using pictograms, arrows, and words. Escape route signage should also be designed and installed in accordance with the relevant standards and codes, such as BS 5499 and ISO 7010.

According to the EPI Data Centre Operations Standard (DCOS), exit/emergency signs should be located at every escape door and pathways leading to doors (arrows) to ensure a safe and quick evacuation in case of an emergency1. This is also consistent with the best practices for data centre emergency preparedness and response, which recommend having a clear and visible signage system for emergency exits23.