How do you protect a data center from winter temperatures? LCL's Critical Infrastructure Manager, Joke Bruyninckx, shares how preventive maintenance, tight procedures and 24/7 monitoring ensure flawless and reliable operation even in freezing weather.
Winter brings unique challenges, especially for critical infrastructures such as data centers. To guarantee uninterrupted service for its customers, LCL takes extensive measures to prepare its data centers for the cold months. We spoke to Joke Bruyninckx, LCL's Critical Infrastructure Manager, about how LCL copes with winter and why proper preparation is essential.
What is the biggest challenge for a data center in winter? Ice cold weather. "Freezing water in our cooling circuits is the biggest risk," stresses Joke. "This can have serious consequences, such as prolonged downtime of the entire data center. Thanks to our strict procedures and preventive maintenance, we effectively prevent such problems."
Critical installations such as cooling systems, generators and water pipes are thoroughly checked before the risk period. "For example, we check that the cooling systems are sufficiently protected, that there is no stagnant water in the pipes, and that the batteries of the cooling cells are working cleanly and efficiently. In addition, we check filters and perform all periodic tests."
The HVO-powered generators, which are often outside, also receive extra attention. "We check whether there is enough fuel, whether there are any possible leaks, and whether the emergency procedures are fully up-to-date," she says. All this is done well before the winter period starts so the team is ready for frost.
In addition, the site itself is also thoroughly checked. "The roof, water pipes and drains are inspected, and we make sure there is enough road salt for icy conditions. Everything is ticked off according to our standard procedures per site," says Joke.
Team training also plays a crucial role in ensuring such processes run smoothly. "We hold monthly training sessions and updates for our operational teams at all data centers," Joke explains. "This way, they will always be familiar with our standard procedures and ready for possible emergencies. It's a lot of work, but it keeps everything running smoothly, even during the harshest winters."
Once the time comes, frost is closely monitored at LCL thanks to constant monitoring and a strict maintenance schedule. "Our 24/7 monitoring system keeps an eye on hundreds of parameters and alerts our team immediately in case of anomalies," Joke explains. Temperature fluctuations in the data center receive extra attention during the winter months. "We continuously monitor the temperature in all rooms," Joke continues. "In case of deviations, we can intervene immediately, thus guaranteeing customers a stable and reliable service at all times."
With a combination of preventive measures, strict monitoring and well-trained teams, LCL ensures that its data centers are fully prepared for the challenges of winter. Joke concludes, "Preparing a data center for winter is not a one-off action; it is a continuous process of monitoring and improvement. This is the only way we can deliver on the promise of reliability to our partners, regardless of weather conditions."
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