breData centre operations can be costly. While energy consumption often takes centre stage, data centre maintenance and infrastructure costs can significantly impact the bottom line over time. This blog explores how Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) can reduce the cost of maintaining, updating, and replacing building materials and components within data centres.
Operating a data centre is no small feat and the Costs can skyrocket, especially for larger facilities. While energy consumption is a major expense, the ongoing maintenance of the data centre itself often gets overlooked. Initially, these costs might seem minimal, but over the 15-20 year lifespan of a data centre, the cumulative impact of repairing and replacing worn-out building materials can be substantial. This is where the true hidden costs emerge.
To effectively manage data centre costs, minimising maintenance is crucial. This is where Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) excels. Unlike traditional materials like steel, wood, aluminium, vinyl, ceramics, and rubber, GRP requires significantly less upkeep. Its resistance to corrosion, rot, biological degradation, and general wear and tear translates into substantial cost savings.
While regular inspections are recommended for any material, GRP typically only needs routine visual checks for signs of degradation or damage. Cleaning is simple, involving a mild detergent and water. Even repairs are often straightforward, using inexpensive GRP repair kits for minor damage. Consistent fastener checks complete the basic maintenance routine.
In the following sections, we'll delve deeper into the maintenance requirements of other common building materials to highlight the stark contrast with GRP.
How do Data Centre customers feel about GRP? Lower maintenance/lifecycle cost lands in the top 3 reasons that they choose GRP as their preferred material.
While GRP stands out for its low maintenance requirements, traditional building materials demand significantly more attention and resources. Let's break down the maintenance challenges associated with common materials:
Steel is susceptible to corrosion, a persistent issue in many environments. Regular inspections, protective coatings, and timely repairs are essential. Painting, cleaning, and environmental protection are also critical to prolong steel's lifespan.
Concrete, while durable, is prone to cracking, spalling, and moisture damage. Regular inspections, sealing, and crack repair are necessary. Maintaining the integrity of concrete's reinforcing steel is crucial to prevent structural issues.
Although known for its corrosion resistance, aluminium can still deteriorate in certain conditions. Protective coatings and regular inspections are essential. Cleaning and repair of dents, scratches, and fastener issues are also part of aluminium maintenance.
Wood is susceptible to rot, insect damage, and moisture. Regular inspections, sealing, painting, and pest control are crucial. Maintaining proper ventilation and addressing issues promptly is essential for wood's longevity.
Vinyl is relatively low maintenance, but it's not entirely carefree. Regular cleaning, stain removal, and protective measures are necessary to preserve its appearance and functionality.
Rubber flooring requires regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent dirt buildup and stains. Protective measures and periodic refinishing are essential to maintain its appearance and performance.
To maximise the benefits, consider incorporating GRP into various components of your data centre:
By strategically incorporating GRP into these areas, operators can significantly reduce data centre maintenance costs, improve operational efficiency, and extend the lifespan of their facilities.
By investing in GRP, data centre owners can allocate more resources to core operations, improve energy efficiency, and enhance overall facility performance. Embracing innovative materials like GRP is essential for building data centres that are not only efficient but also sustainable for the long term.
Explore Fibergrate’s product offerings and start building a data centre that will last longer and ensure easier upkeep.