Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier Standards
• Tier Standard: Topology
› Defines Tier Classification System
› Performance Requirements for each functionality objective

• Tier Standard: Operational Sustainability

› Defines Expected Operational Behaviors
› Aligned by Tier

Both Are Owner Standards

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Distinction Between Courses

• Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) course is for data center experts
that generate designs
› Course principally dedicated to the Tier Standard: Topology
› Detailed presentation of the Uptime Institute Tier topology concepts
› “Deep dive” into proper application of Tiers

• Accredited Operations Specialist (AOS) course is for data center

owners, operators, and outside resources
› Course principally dedicated to the Tier Standard: Operational
Sustainability
› Management practices critical to Operational Sustainability

• Accredited Tier Specialist (ATS) course is for data center

owners, operators, and outside resources
› Broad overview of both Tier Standards rather than deep dives

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

ATD Course Goals & Context

Local codes and requirements form the foundation for design
examples based on minimum Tier criteria, not best practices
• Enhance design professionals’understanding of the practical
requirements of Uptime Institute Tier-based design
• Facilitate consistent application of Uptime Institute Tier topology
concepts
• Provide valuable education and recognition for industry
participants in the Uptime Institute Tier Program

Accreditation is not an endorsement for Certification

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

The Concept of “N”

• The concept of N: Definition of N sensitive to the context it is
used
› Refers to required number of components to meet “need”
› Refers to capacity of system in kilowatts (kW) when discussing the
design load or design demand

• “R” typically appears whenever N is stated

› Refers to “redundant” number of components

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Overview
• Tier Classification Genesis Points
• Tier Classification Objectives • Makeup Water
• Tier Topology Categories • Telecommunications
• Key Tier Topology Principles • Operational Sustainability
• Capacity Component
• Distribution Path
• Tier Classifications
• Public Utility Systems
• Engine-Generator Systems
• Ambient Temperature Design

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier Classification Genesis

• An Owner’s Request
Data Center Performance and Investment Criteria

• An Industry Solution
Tier Classifications Define Site Infrastructure Performance

• An International Standard
Data Center Site Infrastructure Tier Standard

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier Classification Objectives

• Provide a common understanding
and language of data center
infrastructure concepts
• Identify expected data center
performance by differences in
topology
› Recognize that all data centers are
not alike
▪ nor need to be
› Refers to a single operations site
• Tier concepts are simple; application requires extreme diligence

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier Topology Categories

• Tier Classifications represent broad topology categories
› Redundant capacity components
› Redundant (diverse) distribution paths
› Classification based on Maintenance opportunity and Failure response

• Fractional “concepts” are not rationalized

› No Standard for Tier III.6
› Tier III + is undefined
› Site Classification based on lowest system rating

• Differentiation within a Tier enhances Operational Sustainability

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Key Tier Topology Principles

• Begin and end at the IT critical environment
• Build upon the previous Tier
• Provide facility operation and maintenance opportunities
• Considers only the built environment

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Capacity Component
• Active devices
• Moves heat from one location to another via the use of active
devices
• Generates electrical power from an energy source (fuel, stored
energy)

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Distribution Path
• Not a Capacity Component
• Distribution path elements such as
› Passive devices
› Conductors
› Pipes
› Valves
› Transformers

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier Classifications
• Tier I – Basic Capacity
• Tier II – Redundant Components
• Tier III – Concurrently Maintainable
› Applies to Each and Every component and path
• Tier IV – Fault Tolerant
› Considers a Single event, along with Consequential impact

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier I – Basic Capacity

• Summary
› Non-redundant capacity components (N only)
▪ Critical environment power and cooling systems
› Single distribution path

• Operations and Maintenance Considerations

› Site infrastructure and critical environments must be shut down for
annual maintenance and repair work
› Installation or construction of capacity may disrupt the critical
environment

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier I – Operational Risks

• Any capacity component or distribution
path element failure will disrupt the
critical environment
• All or portions of the critical environment are susceptible to
disruption due to planned and unplanned activities
• Operations (human) errors have high likelihood of site disruption
• Deferred maintenance to avoid downtime increases the risk and
severity of disruptions in the critical environment

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier II – Redundant Components

• Summary
› Redundant capacity components (N+R)
▪ Engine generators, UPS modules, IT, and UPS cooling
› Single distribution path

• Operations and Maintenance Considerations

› Capacity components can be maintained or repaired with limited impact
to the critical environment
› Site infrastructure and critical environments must be shut down for
annual maintenance and repair work
› Installation or replacement of capacity components may disrupt the
critical environment

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier II – Operational Risks

• A capacity component failure may disrupt
the critical environment
• A distribution path element failure will disrupt
the critical environment
• All or portions of the critical environment are susceptible to
disruption due to planned and unplanned activities
• Operations (human) errors have high likelihood of site disruption
• Deferred maintenance to avoid downtime increases the risk and
severity of disruptions in the critical environment

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier III – Concurrently Maintainable

• Summary
› Redundant capacity components and independent distribution paths
(transformers and transfer switches are path elements)
› Some elements of a distribution path may be inactive
› Predicated on dual-cord IT equipment
› No runtime limits on engine-generator capacity at design load

• Operations and Maintenance Considerations

› Each and Every capacity component and distribution path element can
be taken out of service for maintenance, repair, or replacement on a
planned basis without impacting the critical environment or IT processes

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier III – Practical Insight

• Each and Every extends to:
› Valves and fittings
› Switchgear and panels
• Maintenance focus requires:
› Dead lugs for safety during electrical activities
▪ Completely de-energized electrical devices
› Dry pipes to avoid liquid spills
▪ Mechanically isolated to allow draining of the section or equipment
• Single Points-of-Failure are not eliminated

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier III – Operational Risks

• All or portions of the critical environment
are susceptible to disruption due to failures
or unplanned activities
• Scheduled maintenance activities occur on redundant
components, distribution paths, and systems—which will reduce
redundancy and may elevate risk of disruption
• Operations (human) errors may lead to site disruption
• Single-corded IT equipment or incorrect installation may defeat
the intent of the Tier III electrical infrastructure for that IT
equipment

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier IV – Fault Tolerant

• Summary
› Redundant capacity components
› Redundant active distribution paths
› Compartmentalization of both capacity components and distribution
paths
› N after any failure
› Continuous Cooling for critical IT and UPS systems
› No runtime limits on engine-generator capacity at design load

• Operations and Maintenance Considerations

› Each and Every capacity component and distribution path element can
sustain a failure, error, planned, or unplanned event without impacting the
critical environment or IT processes

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier IV – Practical Insight

• Single event with consequential impact
› Loss of a switchboard impacts everything “downstream”
powered by that switchboard
› Replacing a valve requires a dry pipe on both sides
• Design considerations for Continuous Cooling are consistent
with UPS for IT equipment power
• Most human errors are considered failure events
› Exceptions
▪ Emergency power off (EPO) activations
▪ Fire suppression activations
▪ Failure to properly connect IT loads

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier IV – Operational Risks

• The critical environment is not susceptible
to disruption due to failure of any single
capacity component, distribution element,
site infrastructure system, or single human error
• Scheduled maintenance activities occur on redundant
components, elements, and systems—which may create a risk of
disruption
• Operation of the EPO system, activation of the fire protection
system, or malicious human interaction may lead to site
disruption
• Single-corded IT equipment or incorrect installation may defeat
the intent of the Tier IV electrical infrastructure for that IT
equipment

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Public Utility Systems

• The number or lack of utility service entrances does not affect
Tier Classification
• The on-site power production system is the source of electrical
power for site availability and reliability
› Engine generators
› Turbine generators
› Fuel cells
• The loss of any public utility (power, water, natural gas, district
heating, district cooling, etc.) is not considered a failure
› The data center must autonomously detect the utility loss and
autonomously respond by switching to on-site sources
› In select designs this may require the autonomous restart of equipment

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Engine-Generator Systems
• Concurrent Maintainability and Fault Tolerance
› The engine-generator system, along with its power paths and other
supporting elements, shall meet the applicable Concurrently Maintainable
and Fault Tolerant criteria while they are carrying the site load on engine-
generator power
• Manufacturers' Runtime Limits
› Manufactures’limitation on consecutive hours of operation at the design
load is not permissible for Tier III and IV
› Prime and Standby engine-generator ratings include runtime and load
limits
• Regulatory Runtime Limits
› Annual Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) regulatory limits on operating
hours driven by emissions do not affect the capacity or redundancy of
engine generators in Tier design or Certification

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Ambient Temperature Design Points

• Power and cooling equipment capacities shall be determined at
extreme recorded outdoor temperatures
• The ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals lists appropriate
outdoor design points
› The design wet bulb (WB) temperature shall be the
“Extreme Maximum Wet Bulb”
› The design dry bulb (DB) temperature shall be the “n=20 years” value

• Cooling coil capacity shall be determined at anticipated

computer room or critical environment return air conditions
• Minimum and maximum dry bulb temperatures shall be
considered

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Makeup Water
• Applies to direct and indirect evaporative cooling solutions
• Must provide for 12 hours consumption from
on-site sources at N demand
• Makeup water system shall meet other Tier criteria (as required
for Tier II‒IV) to the point of consumption
• More information in Session 4 and detailed examples address
water volumes involved in the Accredited Tier Designer
Technical Paper Series: Makeup Water

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Telecommunications
• Requirements
› Power and Cooling to active telecommunication and communication
equipment must meet Tier requirements
• Recommendations
› Consider designing communications conveyance (vaults, cable ways,
conduit) in accordance with Concurrent Maintainability (Tier III) or Fault
Tolerance (Tier IV) from the property line to the data center
communication demarcation point
• Points beyond the property line are beyond control of the owner
• Distribution within the data center is adequately covered by other
standards

Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Operational Sustainability
• Complements Tier Standard: Topology
• Differentiates the value of investment within a Tier level
• Focuses on the effectiveness of investment over the life of the
facility
• Aggregates Positive and Negative impact of design and
management choices
› Management and Operations
› Built Environment
› Site Location

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Session 1 Tier Standard: Topology

Tier Classification Recap

• The four Tiers are progressive
› Tier I is the foundation
› Tier II includes Tier I, adds redundant components
› Etc.
• Each and Every considerations are exhaustive
• Engine-generator ratings are more restrictive for Tier III and Tier
IV
• Tier III may have Single Points-of-Failure
• Tier III is all about Maintenance Opportunities and not Faults
• Tier IV requires Continuous Cooling and Compartmentalization

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