ASHRAE Releases Third Edition of 'Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments'

Oct. 23, 2012
The third edition of “Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments,” the principal book in ASHRAE’s Datacom Series of publications, is now available.

The third edition of “Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments,” the principal book in ASHRAE’s Datacom Series of publications, is now available.

Published by ASHRAE Technical Committee (TC) 9.9, Mission Critical Facilities, Technology Spaces and Electronic Equipment, the book provides unbiased, vendor-neutral information on the design and operation of data centers and telecommunications facilities.

“The most valuable update to this edition is the inclusion of IT- (information-technology-) equipment-failure-rate estimates based on inlet-air temperature,” Don Beaty, chair of the publications subcommittee of TC 9.9, said. “These server-failure rates are the result of the major IT original-equipment manufacturers evaluating field data, such as warranty returns, as well as component-reliability data. This data will allow data-center operators to weigh the potential reliability consequences of operating in various environmental conditions vs. the cost and energy consequences.”

Other highlights include new air and liquid equipment classes and expanded thermal envelopes.

The cost of “Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments” is $46 for ASHRAE members and $54 for non-members. Copies can be ordered by phone at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400, by fax at 404-321-5478, or online at www.ashrae.org/bookstore.

About the Author

Scott Arnold | Executive Editor

Described by a colleague as "a cyborg ... requir(ing) virtually no sleep, no time off, and bland nourishment that can be consumed while at his desk" who was sent "back from the future not to terminate anyone, but with the prime directive 'to edit dry technical copy' in order to save the world at a later date," Scott Arnold joined the editorial staff of HPAC Engineering in 1999. Prior to that, he worked as an editor for daily newspapers and a specialty-publications company. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Kent State University.