ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018

TECHNICAL ISO/IEC TS
SPECIFICATION 22237-4
First edition
2018-05
Information technology — Data centre
facilities and infrastructures —
Part 4:
Environmental control
Technologie de l’information — Installation et infrastructures de
centres de traitement de données —
Partie 4: Contrôle environnemental
Reference number
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)
©
ISO/IEC 2018

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO/IEC 2018
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 1
3.1 Terms and definitions . 1
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 3
4 Conformance . 3
5 Environmental control within data centres . 3
5.1 General . 3
5.1.1 Functional elements . . 3
5.1.2 Requirements . 4
5.1.3 Recommendations . 4
5.2 Environmental control of data centre spaces . 5
5.2.1 Building entrance facilities . 5
5.2.2 Personnel entrance(s) . 5
5.2.3 Docking/loading bay(s) . 5
5.2.4 Generator space(s) including fuel storage . 5
5.2.5 Transformer space(s) . 5
5.2.6 Electrical distribution space(s) . 6
5.2.7 Telecommunication spaces(s) . 6
5.2.8 Main distributor spaces(s) . 6
5.2.9 Computer room space(s) and associated testing space(s) . 6
5.2.10 Electrical space(s) . . 7
5.2.11 Mechanical space(s) . 7
5.2.12 Control room space(s) . 7
5.2.13 Office space(s) . 7
5.2.14 Storage and holding space(s) . 7
5.2.15 Accommodation of UPS equipment . 7
6 Availability . 8
6.1 General . 8
6.2 Design options by space . 8
6.2.1 General. 8
6.2.2 Spaces excluded from the availability classification . 9
6.2.3 Main distributor space(s) . 9
6.2.4 Computer room space(s) and associated testing space(s) .10
6.2.5 UPS space .11
6.3 Environmental control system capacity planning with respect to expansion .12
6.4 Environmental control system capacity planning with respect to resilience .12
7 Physical security .12
7.1 General .12
7.2 Access .12
8 Energy efficiency enablement .12
8.1 General .12
8.2 Measurement of temperature .12
8.2.1 External temperature .12
8.2.2 Computer room temperature .13
8.3 Measurement of relative humidity .14
8.3.1 External relative humidity .14
8.3.2 Computer room relative humidity .14
8.4 Measurement of air pressure .15
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

8.5 Coolant flow rates .15
8.6 Heat removal .15
8.7 Outside air .15
8.8 Provision of alarms .15
8.9 Measurement requirements by Granularity Level .15
Annex A (normative) Distribution methodologies for temperature-controlled airin
computer room space .17
Annex B (informative) Control system concepts .20
Bibliography .21
iv © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
members of ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical
committees established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical
activity. ISO and IEC technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the
work. In the field of information technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee,
ISO/IEC JTC 1.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for
the different types of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject
of patent rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the
Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www .iso .org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommitte SC 39, Sustainability for and by Information Technology.
A list of all parts in the ISO/IEC TS 22237 series can be found on the ISO website.
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved v

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

Introduction
The unrestricted access to internet-based information demanded by the information society has led to
an exponential growth of both internet traffic and the volume of stored/retrieved data. Data centres
are housing and supporting the information technology and network telecommunications equipment
for data processing, data storage and data transport. They are required both by network operators
(delivering those services to customer premises) and by enterprises within those customer premises.
Data centres need to provide modular, scalable and flexible facilities and infrastructures to easily
accommodate the rapidly changing requirements of the market. In addition, energy consumption of data
centres has become critical both from an environmental point of view (reduction of carbon footprint)
and with respect to economical considerations (cost of energy) for the data centre operator.
The implementation of data centres varies in terms of:
a) purpose (enterprise, co-location, co-hosting or network operator facilities);
b) security level;
c) physical size;
d) accommodation (mobile, temporary and permanent constructions).
The needs of data centres also vary in terms of availability of service, the provision of security and
the objectives for energy efficiency. These needs and objectives influence the design of data centres
in terms of building construction, power distribution, environmental control and physical security.
Effective management and operational information is required to monitor achievement of the defined
needs and objectives.
The ISO/IEC TS 22237 series specifies requirements and recommendations to support the various
parties involved in the design, planning, procurement, integration, installation, operation and
maintenance of facilities and infrastructures within data centres. These parties include:
1) owners, facility managers, ICT managers, project managers, main contractors;
2) architects, building designers and builders, system and installation designers;
3) facility and infrastructure integrators, suppliers of equipment;
4) installers, maintainers.
At the time of publication of this document, the ISO/IEC TS 22237 series will comprise the following
documents:
ISO/IEC TS 22237-1, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 1: General
concepts;
ISO/IEC TS 22237-2, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 2:
Building construction;
ISO/IEC TS 22237-3, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 3: Power
distribution;
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 4:
Environmental control;
ISO/IEC TS 22237-5, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 5:
Telecommunications cabling infrastructure;
ISO/IEC TS 22237-6, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 6:
Security systems;
vi © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

ISO/IEC TS 22237-7, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 7:
Management and operational information.
The inter-relationship of the specifications within the ISO/IEC TS 22237 series is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — Schematic relationship between the ISO/IEC TS 22237 series of documents
ISO/IEC TS 22237-2 to ISO/IEC TS 22237-6 specify requirements and recommendations for particular
facilities and infrastructures to support the relevant classification for “availability”, “physical security”
and “energy efficiency enablement” selected from ISO/IEC TS 22237-1.
This document addresses the environmental control facilities and infrastructure within data centres
together with the interfaces for monitoring the performance of those facilities and infrastructures in
line with ISO/IEC TS 22237-7 (in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC TS 22237-1).
ISO/IEC TS 22237-7 addresses the operational and management information (in accordance with the
requirements of ISO/IEC TS 22237-1.
This document is intended for use by and collaboration between architects, building designers and
builders, system and installation designers.
The ISO/IEC TS 22237 series does not address the selection of information technology and network
telecommunications equipment, software and associated configuration issues.
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved vii

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)
Information technology — Data centre facilities and
infrastructures —
Part 4:
Environmental control
1 Scope
This document addresses environmental control within data centres based upon the criteria and
classifications for “availability”, “security” and “energy efficiency enablement” within ISO/IEC TS 22237-1.
This document specifies requirements and recommendations for the following:
a) temperature control;
b) fluid movement control;
c) relative humidity control;
d) particulate control;
e) vibration;
f) floor layout and equipment locations;
g) energy saving practices;
h) physical security of environmental control systems.
Issues related to electromagnetic environment can be found in ISO/IEC TS 22237-6.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC TS 22237-1, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 1: General
concepts
ISO/IEC TS 22237-6, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 6:
Security systems
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions in ISO/IEC TS 22237-1 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved 1

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
3.1.1
adiabatic cooling
cooling system that uses the evaporative cooling principle to reduce the air temperature
3.1.2
absolute humidity
quantity of water vapour in a given volume of air
Note 1 to entry: Expressed by mass.
3.1.3
access floor
system consisting of completely removable and interchangeable floor panels that are supported on
adjustable pedestals connected by stringers to allow the area beneath the floor to be used by building
services
Note 1 to entry: Also known as “raised floor”.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC TS 22237-2:2018, 3.1.1]
3.1.4
comfort environmental controls
controls which produce an environment which is appropriate for the effective performance of personnel
in a given space
3.1.5
dew point
temperature at which the water vapour in a gas begins to deposit as a liquid or ice, under standardized
conditions
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-212:2010, 212-18-11]
3.1.6
exhaust air temperature
temperature of the air leaving the data centre building or the temperature of the air leaving the heat load
3.1.7
fresh air cooling
cooling system that uses the external air to cool the data centre either directly or indirectly
3.1.8
heat load
thermal power that is produced
3.1.9
information technology equipment
equipment providing data storage, processing and transport services together with equipment
dedicated to providing direct connection to core and/or access networks
3.1.10
outdoor air temperature
temperature of the air measured outside of the data centre building
3.1.11
relative humidity
ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the vapour pressure of water vapour in moist air to the saturation
vapour pressure with respect to water or ice at the same temperature
[SOURCE: IEC 60050-705:1995, 705-05-09]
2 © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

3.1.12
return air temperature
temperature of the air re-entering the environmental control system, e.g. the air handling unit
3.1.13
supply air temperature
temperature of the air entering the IT equipment
3.1.14
ventilation
supply of air motion in a space by circulation or by moving air through the space
Note 1 to entry: Ventilation can be produced by any combination of natural or mechanical supply and exhaust.
Note 2 to entry: Such systems can include partial treatment such as heating, relative humidity control, filtering
or purification, and, in some cases, evaporative cooling.
3.2 Abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the abbreviated terms given in ISO/IEC TS 22237-1 and the
following apply.
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
CRAC Computer Room Air Conditioning (Unit)
IT Information Technology
ITE Information Technology Equipment
4 Conformance
For a data centre to conform to this document:
a) it shall feature an environmental control solution that meets the requirements of Clauses 4 and 5;
b) it shall feature an approach to physical security in relation to the environmental control solution
that meets the requirements of Clause 6;
c) it shall feature an energy efficiency enablement solution that meets the requirements of the
relevant Granularity Level of Clause 7;
d) local regulations, including safety, shall be met.
5 Environmental control within data centres
5.1 General
5.1.1 Functional elements
The environmental control system is one of the most important parts of the data centre infrastructure.
Excessive variations of temperature or relative humidity can directly affect the functional capability of
the data centre and its infrastructures.
The functional elements of the environmental control system are divided into primary and secondary
elements.
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved 3

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

Primary elements relate to the mechanical generation of temperature controlled fluids. Secondary
elements relate to the distribution of fluids generated by the primary elements. See Table 1 for examples
of these elements.
Some environmental systems combine the function of primary and secondary elements.
Table 1 — Examples of primary and secondary functional elements
Area Fluid Functional element(s)
Water Water supply grid, chiller, pump(s)
Primary
Air Outside air intake, filter, heat exchanger
Water Pump(s), valve(s), pipe system, liquid cooled enclosures
Secondary
Air Duct system, computer room air conditioning unit
It should be noted that a Class 1 environmental control system does not necessarily contain any of these
elements.
5.1.2 Requirements
The approach taken for the design of the environmental control system shall take into account available
technology, physical security and data centre availability.
The design of the environmental control system and the selection and installation of functional
elements shall take into consideration the effect of vibration on the data centre spaces.
The design of the environmental control system and the selection and installation of functional elements
shall take into consideration the effect of friction and/or obstruction in the pathways for temperature
controlled fluids. Operational controls shall be provided to ensure no degradation of fluid flow due to
changes in the pathways.
During the design phase the requirement for the number of air changes per unit time and air pressure
shall be established.
In all data centre spaces the requirements for filtration shall be considered.
In all spaces where there is a risk of damage to static-sensitive equipment from electro-static discharge
the relative humidity shall be maintained in accordance with the instructions of the supplier of the
equipment to be accommodated. Where no information exists or where the equipment manufacturer is
not specified, a minimum dew point of 5,5 °C shall be maintained.
Where direct fresh air cooling solutions are chosen the requirements analysis and the resulting
methodology of monitoring and control is of prime importance. In these circumstances particular
consideration shall be given to the control of contaminants.
For guidance on the ventilation requirements of activated gaseous suppression systems see ISO/
IEC TS 22237-6.
5.1.3 Recommendations
Opportunities for reductions in energy consumption exist where wider tolerances of temperature and
relative humidity can be tolerated in defined data centre spaces. It is recommended to use cooling units
with integrated vibration decoupling for all rotating parts (e.g. fan, compressor) or low vibration parts.
If the cooling units or other external components with rotating parts are not equipped with integrated
vibration decoupling the whole unit should be decoupled.
4 © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
ISO/IEC TS 22237-4:2018(E)

5.2 Environmental control of data centre spaces
5.2.1 Building entrance facilities
No specific requirements.
5.2.2 Personnel entrance(s)
Comfort environmental controls shall be applied to this space.
5.2.3 Docking/loading bay(s)
No specific requirements.
5.2.4 Generator space(s) including fuel storage
5.2.4.1 Generator spaces
Temperature shall be maintained in accordance with the instructions of the supplier of the equipment to
be accommodated. Where no information exists or where the equipment manufacturer is not specified
the temperature shall be maintained above 0 °C and should be above 10 °C.
Adequate ventilation shall be provided for combustion and for radiator cooling.
Where the manufacturer is not known at the time of design the maximum temperature shall be 35 °C.
Anti-condensation heating shall be provided for alternators and switchgear.
Temperature and the presence of particulates (smoke, carbon monoxide and fuel) shall be monitored.
See ISO/IEC TS 22237-6 for further information regarding monitoring of smoke.
Heater elements in the generator engine may provide sufficient heat for this space, where this is not
possible thermostatically controlled heaters shall be applied.
5.2.4.2 Fuel storage systems
The fuel storage system shall be protected against continuous sub-zero ambient temperatures to avoid
fuel solidification.
The fuel storage systems shall be monitored for leakage.
NOTE The availability of generators can be adversely affected by cold (<10 °C) or poor quality fuel and can
be improved through the installation of crankcase heaters.
5.2.5 Transformer space(s)
Temperature shall be maintained in accordance with the instructions of the supplier of the equipment
to be accommodated unless the system has been de-rated for operation at higher ambient temperatures.
Where no information exists or where the equipment manufacturer is not specified the temperature
shall be maintained above 0 °C and should be above 10 °C.
The m
...