ISO/IEC TS 22237-2:2018

Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2: Building construction

ISO/IEC TS 22237-2:2018 addresses the construction of buildings and other structures which provide accommodation for data centres based upon the criteria and classification for "physical security" within ISO/IEC TS 22237‑1 in support of availability. ISO/IEC TS 22237-2:2018 specifies requirements and recommendations for the following: a) location and site selection; b) building construction; c) building configuration; d) fire protection; e) quality construction measures. Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the scope of this document and are covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this document may be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations. Conformance of data centres to the present document is covered in Clause 4.

Technologie de l’information — Installation et infrastructures de centres de traitement de données — Partie 2: Construction des bâtiments

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 26-Apr-2018
• ICS: 35.020 - Information technology (IT) in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 39 - Sustainability, IT and data centres
• Drafting Committee: ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 39/WG 3 - Sustainable facilities and infrastructures
• Current Stage: 9599 - Withdrawal of International Standard
• Start Date: 19-Feb-2024
• Completion Date: 30-Oct-2025

Relations

• Revised: ISO/IEC 22237-2:2024 - Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2: Building construction
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022

Standards Content (Sample)

TECHNICAL ISO/IEC TS
SPECIFICATION 22237-2
First edition
2018-05
Information technology — Data centre
facilities and infrastructures —
Part 2:
Building construction
Technologie de l’information — Installation et infrastructures de
centres de traitement de données —
Partie 2: Construction des bâtiments
Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2018
© 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.
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .vi
Introduction .vii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviated terms . 2
3.1 Terms and definitions . 2
3.2 Abbreviated terms . 3
4 Conformance . 3
5 Location . 3
5.1 Assessment of location. 3
5.1.1 Requirements . 3
5.1.2 Recommendations . 4
5.2 Geographical location . . 4
5.2.1 Requirements . 4
5.2.2 Recommendations . 4
5.3 Natural environment . 4
5.3.1 Requirements . 4
5.3.2 Recommendations . 4
5.4 Adjacencies . 4
5.4.1 Requirements . 4
5.4.2 Recommendations . 5
5.5 Infrastructural factors . 5
5.5.1 Requirements . 5
5.5.2 Recommendations . 5
6 Site configuration. 5
6.1 General . 5
6.2 Site selection . 6
6.2.1 Requirements . 6
6.2.2 Recommendations . 7
6.3 Assessment of existing premises . 7
6.3.1 Requirements . 7
6.3.2 Recommendations . 7
6.4 Utilities . 7
6.4.1 Requirements . 7
6.4.2 Recommendations . 7
6.5 Access routes . 7
6.5.1 Requirements . 7
6.5.2 Recommendations . 7
6.6 Deliveries . 8
6.6.1 Requirements . 8
6.6.2 Recommendations . 8
6.7 Parking . 8
6.7.1 Requirements . 8
6.7.2 Recommendations . 8
6.8 Exterior installations . 8
6.8.1 Underground facilities . 8
6.8.2 Telecommunications cabling . 8
6.9 Perimeter . 9
6.9.1 Requirements . 9
6.9.2 Recommendations . 9
7 Building construction . 9
7.1 Building structure . 9
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved iii

7.1.1 General. 9
7.1.2 Load-bearing structure . 9
7.1.3 Building materials and finishes . . 9
7.2 Foundations .10
7.2.1 Requirements .10
7.2.2 Recommendations .10
7.3 Exterior walls .10
7.3.1 Requirements .10
7.3.2 Recommendations .11
7.4 Interior walls providing boundaries of Protection Class .11
7.4.1 Requirements .11
7.4.2 Recommendations .11
7.5 Roofs .11
7.5.1 General.11
7.6 Rain water drainage .12
7.6.1 Requirements .12
7.6.2 Recommendations .12
7.7 Floors and ceilings .12
7.7.1 General.12
7.7.2 Access floors .12
7.8 Corridors and doors .13
7.8.1 Requirements .13
7.8.2 Recommendations .13
8 Data centre spaces and access routes .13
8.1 Accommodation .13
8.1.1 General.13
8.1.2 Requirements .13
8.1.3 Recommendations .13
8.1.4 Data centre spaces .14
8.2 Protection .15
8.2.1 Requirements .15
8.2.2 Recommendations .15
8.3 Floors.15
8.3.1 General.15
8.3.2 Access floors .16
8.4 Ceilings .16
8.4.1 Requirements .16
8.4.2 Recommendations .16
8.5 Access to data centre spaces .17
8.5.1 Requirements .17
8.5.2 Recommendations .17
8.6 Vapour density .17
8.6.1 General.17
8.6.2 Requirements .17
8.6.3 Recommendations .17
9 Fire compartments, fire barriers and fire suppression systems .17
9.1 General .17
9.1.1 Requirements .17
9.1.2 Recommendations .18
9.2 Fire barriers.18
9.2.1 Requirements .18
9.2.2 Recommendations .18
9.3 Fire compartments for gaseous extinguishing systems .18
9.3.1 Inert gaseous extinguishing systems.18
9.3.2 Oxygen reduction systems .19
9.4 Fire suppression .19
9.4.1 Requirements .19
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9.4.2 Recommendations .19
10 Building configurations .19
10.1 Design phase .19
10.1.1 Requirements .19
10.1.2 Recommendations .19
10.1.3 Areas, compartments .19
10.1.4 Modularity and flexibility .20
10.2 Inter-relationship of functional spaces .20
10.2.1 General.20
10.2.2 Space usage.20
10.2.3 Computer room space .20
10.2.4 Telecommunications space .21
Annex A (normative) Additional requirements and recommendations .22
Annex B (informative) Physical protection against external hazards.23
Bibliography .25
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved v

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,
Subcommittee 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.
vi © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

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) consultants, 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;
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved vii

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 building design of data centres; it addresses security issues from a
constructional point of view, whereas ISO/IEC TS 22237-6 specifies the pertinent security system
requirements of those facilities and infrastructures (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.
viii © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/IEC TS 22237-2:2018(E)
Information technology — Data centre facilities and
infrastructures —
Part 2:
Building construction
1 Scope
This document addresses the construction of buildings and other structures which provide
accommodation for data centres based upon the criteria and classification for “physical security”
within ISO/IEC TS 22237-1 in support of availability.
This document specifies requirements and recommendations for the following:
a) location and site selection;
b) building construction;
c) building configuration;
d) fire protection;
e) quality construction measures.
Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the scope of this document
and are covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this document may
be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations.
Conformance of data centres to the present document is covered in Clause 4.
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 14520-1, Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems — Physical properties and system design — Part 1:
General requirements
ISO/IEC 14763-2, Information technology — Implementation and operation of customer premises
cabling — Part 2: Planning and installation
ISO/IEC TS 22237-1, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 1: General
concepts
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 2018 – All rights reserved 1

ISO/IEC TS 22237-6, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 6:
Security systems
ISO/IEC 30129, Information technology — Telecommunications bonding networks for buildings and other
structures
IEC 62305 (all parts), Protection against lightning
EN 12825:2001, Raised access floors
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 Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
3.1.1
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
3.1.2
access provider
operator of any facility that is used to convey telecommunications signals to and from a customer
premises
3.1.3
building entrance facility
facility that provides all necessary mechanical and electrical services for the entry of telecommunications
cables into a building and which may allow for transition from external to internal cable
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC TS 22237-1:2018, 3.1.2]
3.1.4
modular construction
method which uses standardized prefabricated construction elements with the possibility to add extra
elements when more space is required
3.1.5
pathway
defined route for different media between identified points
Note 1 to entry: Examples for media are bus bars, cables, conduits, ducts, pipes.
3.1.6
plenum
compartment or chamber to which one or more air ducts are connected and that forms part of the air
distribution system
2 © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

3.1.7
room in room
construction method to have a physically independent chamber (walls and ceiling) in a new or existing
building
Note 1 to entry: Room in room can provide high level fire rating, water tightness, smoke tightness and intrusion
protection required for IT environments.
3.2 Abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document the following abbreviated terms apply:
DC Direct Current
HVAC Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
IT Information Technology
4 Conformance
For a data centre to conform to this document:
a) its location shall have been selected following a site assessment as required in Clause 5;
b) it shall comply with the site requirements of Clause 6;
c) it shall meet the building construction requirements of Clause 7 where the data centre spaces are
within buildings;
d) it shall meet the building configuration requirements detailed in Clause 8;
e) it shall meet the fire protection requirements of Clause 9;
f) it shall meet the quality construction measures of Clause 10;
g) local regulations, including safety, shall be met.
5 Location
5.1 Assessment of location
5.1.1 Requirements
The location of a site for a data centre can be assessed either for a “green field” construction of a new
data centre or the evaluation of an existing site. The location shall be assessed against the following
criteria:
a) geographical location (see 5.2);
b) natural environment (see 5.3);
c) adjacencies (see 5.4);
d) infrastructural factors (see 5.5);
e) budgetary factors such as site costs and cost to bring utilities to the site;
f) local regulation issues.
Personnel factors (operational personnel, security personnel) are not covered in this clause.
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5.1.2 Recommendations
None.
5.2 Geographical location
5.2.1 Requirements
The elevation above sea level can have a direct influence on the performance of technical equipment
and shall be considered.
5.2.2 Recommendations
The choice of a location of a new data centre should consider:
a) assessment of its impact on the environment;
b) any opportunities to take advantage of renewable sources of energy (e.g. wind, solar, aerothermal,
geothermal, hydrothermal and ocean energy, hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment
plant gas and biogases).
5.3 Natural environment
5.3.1 Requirements
An environmental risk analysis shall be conducted which, as a minimum, considers the following items:
a) flooding;
b) active seismic zones;
c) high wind velocities;
d) air contamination by natural causes (volcanic activities, etc.);
e) near to coast lines;
f) lower than sea level;
g) on special purpose flood plains.
Where the placement of a data centre in a location with negative environmental influences is
unavoidable, these influences shall be mitigated by protective constructional, technical, and/or
organizational measures.
5.3.2 Recommendations
None.
5.4 Adjacencies
5.4.1 Requirements
A risk analysis shall be conducted which, as a minimum, considers adjacency to the following items:
a) facilities storing, processing or in other ways dealing with nuclear, explosive, flammable or toxic
substances or other hazardous materials;
b) transportation arteries like waterways, highways, railway tracks, flight paths;
4 © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

c) sources of vibration, e.g. hammer mills, railroad tracks;
d) electromagnetic interference, created by e.g. high-voltage lines, transmitter stations;
e) places of public interest, gatherings or political targets;
f) tall and unstable installations that could damage the data centre if they collapsed;
g) other not related or non-essential operations (e.g. uncontrolled operations in multi-tenant
premises).
Where the placement of a data centre in a location with negative infrastructural influences is
unavoidable, these influences shall be mitigated by protective constructional, technical, and/or
organizational measures.
5.4.2 Recommendations
It is important to ensure that sufficient space is provided around the area or the building to enable the
creation of buffer zones and a secure perimeter.
Data centres should be located adjacent to potentially advantageous infrastructure or installations
including, but not limited to, the following:
a) emergency response services;
b) vendor support and service personnel;
c) monitoring stations of external security providers.
5.5 Infrastructural factors
5.5.1 Requirements
Consideration shall be given to access to all the utility supplies (e.g. electricity, telecommunications
infrastructure, water, sewage and gas) that will be required over the intended lifetime of the data
centre in terms of:
a) accessibility (existence of utility services);
b) redundancy (services originating from different sources);
c) availability (reliability based on historical trends, if available);
d) capacity (e.g. electricity: short circuit current; water: pressure and flow; sewage: sizing).
5.5.2 Recommendations
Under consideration.
6 Site configuration
6.1 General
ISO/IEC TS 22237-1 contains a schematic representation of the typical spaces required by a data centre
within a building. Figure 2 provides a simplified schematic and shows an example of the Protection
Classes of ISO/IEC TS 22237-1 applied to the spaces of the data centre. The data centre is shown within
Protection Class 2 and the protection increases as the importance of the facilities and infrastructure
accommodated by the spaces increases.
© ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved 5

Figure 2 — Site of a data centre
6.2 Site selection
6.2.1 Requirements
The size and shape of a new site shall be suitable to accommodate the intended functions.
A site survey shall be commissioned to include both surface and geotechnical aspects. The results of the
survey shall be relevant (i.e. based on current information).
The geotechnical survey shall include the following which would influence the construction and
operation of the data centre:
a) buried cavities (natural or man-made) and buried utility infrastructures;
b) measurements, and expected variations of, soil resistivity and ground water conditions;
c) presence of contamination.
The site survey report shall be used to assist in the design of:
1) foundation configurations (taking account of any load increases due to possible building growth);
2) drainage infrastructure.
The design of earthing connections shall be based on the soil resistivity information produced by the
geotechnical survey.
6 © ISO/IEC 2018 – All rights reserved

The site survey shall consider any need to provide spaces for support equipment such as underground
fuel tanks (diesel or natural gas) to supply the generator(s), HVAC heat rejection systems, etc.
The selection of a site shall take into account any restrictions that may exist concerning land use and
environmental impact aspects of any hydrocarbon emissions and sound generation and that could
restrict fuel storage and generator operation.
6.2.2 Recommendations
The design of adequate drainage and foundation systems that will be required over the intended
lifetime of the building should be based on the information provided by the geotechnical survey and
should take into account possible future expansion.
6.3 Assessment of existing premises
6.3.1 Requirements
The suitability of the existing premises shall be determined by a risk analysis which reflects the specific
needs of the proposed data centre which includes the assessment of criteria of Clause 5. An existing
survey may be referred to if the documents are not older than six months. An existing risk analysis
shall only be referred to if conducted with a similar objective (see Clause 5).
6.3.2 Recommendations
Under consideration.
6.4 Utilities
6.4.1 Requirements
The provision of external utilities to the premises shall be adequate for the intended availability class of
the data centre as defined in ISO/IEC TS 22237-1.
Documentation shall be collated, which allows the risk to data centre operation arising from utility
infrastructures to be assessed.
A composite utilities plan showing all underground and above ground utilities shall be provided.
6.4.2 Recommendations
None.
6.5 Access routes
6.5.1 Requirements
The number of access routes to the site shall take into account the risk of blockage which may affect the
delivery of labour and materials to the data centre. The design and construction of access routes shall
consider expected loads and dimensions of vehicles.
6.5.2 R
...