How do you choose a site for a data center?
Why does site selection come before design?
A mistake in the building can be fixed later; a wrong site cannot. Even the best design will not save the investment on a plot that cannot get power, carries a flood risk or has no room to grow. That is why the architectural and engineering teams should carry out a joint preliminary assessment before the land is bought.
Evaluation criteria
| Criterion | What to look at | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Nearby substation, available capacity, the option of supply from two separate sources | The core input of a data center; connection time and cost set the investment schedule |
| Fibre | More than one operator and physically separate routes | A single route can cut off the facility with a single excavation accident |
| Earthquake | Distance to fault lines, soil class, liquefaction risk | Directly affects structural cost and continuity risk |
| Flood and water | Stream beds, flood maps, groundwater level | One of the greatest physical risks for electrical spaces |
| Climate | Annual temperature and humidity distribution | Free-cooling hours and energy efficiency |
| Water supply | Continuity, if the cooling system uses water | A water outage can affect cooling |
| Access | Access for vehicles carrying heavy equipment, staff transport | Installation and emergency response times |
| Environmental risks | Airport approach paths, fuel facilities, heavy industry, vibration sources | Risk of external accidents and outages |
| Zoning and neighbours | Permitted use, FAR, height, distance for generator noise | Whether a permit can be obtained, and neighbour complaints |
Layout test on the plot
On a plot that passes the criteria, the next step is to draw whether the target capacity actually fits. Data halls are only part of the area; the transformer yard, generators, fuel tanks, cooling equipment, security distances, truck manoeuvring space and future phases all need room. This preliminary layout often shows that the limiting factor is not FAR but the need for open space. For the FAR concept, see our article on FAR and TAKS.
Converting an existing building into a data center
- Floor load capacity: most office and warehouse floors are not strong enough for rack and battery loads; strengthening is needed.
- Floor height: may not be enough for air paths and cable trays.
- Power infrastructure: the existing connection may be far below what is needed.
- Open space: room must be found for generators and cooling equipment.
Conversion can be quick and economical in some cases, but the decision should not be made without a structural and infrastructure survey.
Common mistakes
- Asking about the power connection after buying the land.
- Thinking only about the first phase and leaving no room to grow.
- Trying to offset flood and soil risk with a cheap land price.
- Ignoring the effect of generator noise and exhaust on neighbours.
We explain how the building itself is organised in our article on data center architectural design.