The same attributes that helped insulated metal panels (IMPs) revolutionize cold storage construction – ease of installation, energy efficiency, air and vapor control, thermal performance and durability – are turning IMPs into the go-to solution for the modern data center.
Add fundamental features such as temperature control, weather and fire resistance, and hygienic environment and IMPs tick all the boxes for today’s data center requirements.
The data center industry’s embrace of IMPs comes at a time when the demand for data processing and storage is growing exponentially as artificial intelligence and other computing intensive applications take center stage in an increasingly digital-first world.
IMPs role in helping data center infrastructure become efficient, scalable and sustainable will be more than just a cameo in the coming years as the financial company Blackstone estimated that the U.S. will see $1 trillion invested in data centers in the next five years, with another $1 trillion being invested internationally.
Lets take a closer look at why IMPs, such as those American-manufactured by Green Span Profiles, are helping transform the data center construction industry.
Rapid Construction: Meeting Time-to-Market Demands
One of the most significant advantages of IMPs in data center construction is the speed at which facilities can be built and infrastructure brought online. Here’s how IMPs save on time and resources on construction projects:
- Pre-fabrication Advantage: IMPs are manufactured off-site in controlled environments, ensuring consistent quality and reducing on-site construction time. This pre-fabrication process can cut overall project timelines by up to 50 percent compared to traditional building methods.
- Simplified Installation: The lightweight nature of IMPs makes them easy to handle and install. A typical IMP can cover up to 140 square feet (42 inches by 40 feet) in a single installation, dramatically reducing the number of individual components that need to be assembled on-site. Green Span Profile’s MaxLine maximizes installation efficiency with a coverage width of 45 inches and lengths that run up to 75 feet for a whopping 281 square feet of coverage.
- Weather-Independent Construction: Unlike many traditional building materials, IMPs can be installed in various weather conditions. This flexibility minimizes weather-related delays, keeping projects on schedule regardless of external factors.
- Reduced Labor Requirements: The simplicity of IMP installation means fewer skilled laborers are needed on-site. This not only speeds up construction but also helps mitigate the challenges posed by labor shortages in the construction industry.
Energy Efficiency: Powering Sustainable Data Centers
Data centers appetite for energy is increasing with Cushman & Wakefield estimating that the data centers around the world increased their power consumption by an incredible 55 percent between 2022 and 2023 – a jump from 4.9 Gigawatts (GW) to 7.4 GW.
Data Center Knowledge says that the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that data centers globally consume up to 4 percent of the world’s energy.
“The environmental impact of this power consumption is undeniable,” says Data Center Knowledge.
Fortunately, IMPs can be a sustainability asset for data center construction:
- Superior Insulation Performance: IMPs offer R-values ranging from R-8 to R-48, depending on panel thickness. This high-performance insulation significantly reduces the energy required for cooling, which can account for up to 40 percent of a data center's total energy consumption.
- Continuous Insulation: Unlike traditional insulation methods that can have gaps or thermal bridges, IMPs provide a continuous insulation barrier. This uninterrupted coverage eliminates weak points in the building envelope, further enhancing energy efficiency.
- Reduced Cooling Load: The excellent thermal performance of IMPs means less heat infiltration from the outside environment. This reduced heat gain translates directly into lower cooling requirements and, consequently, reduced energy consumption and operational costs.
- LEED Certification Support: The energy efficiency of IMPs can contribute significantly to achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. This not only improves the sustainability profile of the data center but can also lead to various incentives and benefits.
Thermal Insulation and Temperature Control: Maintaining the Optimal Environment
Maintaining stable and precise temperature conditions is crucial for the optimal performance and longevity of data center equipment.
IMPs excel in creating and maintaining these controlled environments:
- Consistent Temperature Distribution: The uniform insulation provided by IMPs helps eliminate hot spots and cold spots within the data center, ensuring a more consistent temperature distribution throughout the facility.
- Support for Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Configuration: IMPs can be easily integrated into the design of hot aisle/cold aisle configurations, which are essential for efficient airflow management in data centers. The panels' insulation properties help maintain the temperature differential between these zones, optimizing cooling efficiency.
- Thermal Stability: The high thermal mass of IMPs helps buffer against sudden temperature fluctuations, providing a more stable environment for sensitive electronic equipment. This stability can help prevent thermal stress on servers and other hardware, potentially extending their operational life.
- Customizable Thermal Performance: IMPs can be manufactured with varying insulation thicknesses, allowing data center designers to tailor the thermal performance to specific regional climates and facility requirements.
Protection from Environmental Factors: Data Center Resilience
Data centers must be built to withstand a wide range of environmental challenges, especially severe weather events. IMPs offer robust protection against these external factors:
- Weather Resistance: IMPs are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including high winds, heavy rain, and extreme temperatures. Green Span Profiles IMPs, for example, are rigorously tested by Factory Mutual, Underwriters Laboratories and Miami-Dade County (approved for high velocity hurricane zone of the Florida Building Code).
- Moisture Control: The tight seals between IMP panels create an effective barrier against moisture infiltration. This is crucial for preventing condensation within the data center, which could lead to corrosion of equipment or damage to sensitive electrical components in servers and other infrastructure.
- UV Resistance: The exterior facings of IMPs are typically treated to resist UV radiation, maintaining their appearance and structural integrity over time. This UV resistance helps prevent degradation of the building envelope, ensuring long-term protection for the facility.
- Durability and Longevity: With proper installation and maintenance, IMPs can last typically between 40 and 60 years. This longevity not only ensures long-term protection for the data center but also contributes to the overall sustainability of the facility by reducing the need for replacement and renovation.
Additional Benefits for Data Center Construction
Beyond their core advantages, IMPs offer several additional benefits that make them an ideal choice for data center construction:
- Fire Resistance: Many IMP systems incorporate mineral wool insulation, such as Green Span Profiles Insulrock fire rated panels, providing fire ratings of up to three hours. This enhanced fire protection is crucial for safeguarding critical data and equipment in an age of devastating wildfires around the country.
- Acoustic Performance: IMPs can be engineered to provide sound absorption properties, helping to reduce noise levels within the data center. This can create a more comfortable working environment for on-site personnel and potentially reduce the need for additional soundproofing measures.
- Design Flexibility: IMPs are available in a wide range of colors, finishes, and profiles, allowing architects to create visually appealing data centers that can blend with their surroundings or make a bold architectural statement.
- Hygienic Environment: The smooth, non-porous surfaces of IMPs are easy to clean and maintain. This helps create a hygienic environment within the data center, which is increasingly important as these facilities become more automated and require less human intervention.
- Structural Integrity: Many IMP systems contribute to the structural integrity of the building, potentially reducing the need for additional structural elements. This can lead to cost savings and further accelerate the construction process.
Partnering with Green Span Profiles for Your Data Center Project
As we've explored, Insulated Metal Panels offer a compelling solution for the unique challenges of data center construction. From rapid deployment and energy efficiency to robust environmental protection and design flexibility, IMPs are a great choice for new construction and retrofits.
When considering IMPs for your next data center project, it's crucial to partner with a trusted manufacturer who understands the specific needs of the industry. Green Span Profiles, a leading American manufacturer of high-quality IMPs, offers a comprehensive range of solutions tailored for data center construction.
Our team of experts can work with you from the design phase through installation, ensuring that your data center project leverages the full potential of IMP technology.
Contact Green Span Profiles today for a free consultation and discover how their American-made IMPs can help you build the efficient, resilient, and sustainable data center of tomorrow.