Preventing Structural Damage in Extreme Climates
Capcon Engineering was called in to resolve severe winter drainage failures at an Nordic data centre, ensuring robust, climate-resilient protection for this critical facility.
-
ProjectNordic Data Centre
-
Service ProvidedSiphonic Drainage System
Project Overview
Capcon Engineering, recognised specialists in rainwater drainage systems, were engaged to review an existing rainwater drainage installation at an Nordic data centre. Our team was brought in after the handover of the project to address emerging issues with the drainage system, particularly during extreme winter conditions. This project, in a sensitive environment with temperatures reaching below -40°C, required a thorough examination and assessment of the existing drainage setup.
Challenges
The primary challenge lay in the performance of the external rainwater pipework, which was showing signs of failure, not long after building handover. While the drainage system installed adhered to specification compliance, it was not optimised for the harsh winter conditions in this region. In such extreme climates, the risk of water freezing within the pipes is significantly increased, placing strain on the materials used and risking structural failure. This situation was exacerbated by the extreme temperature drops experienced in the area, which regularly fall below -35°C and had reached even lower during the winter in question.
Key Considerations
Our team undertook a full review of the drainage system’s design, materials, and installation practices. While the system had been designed to meet standard specifications, our analysis identified areas where improvements could be made to better suit the project’s extreme conditions. Specifically, we found that the materials and pipe diameters used did not represent the most resilient solution for a location with such severe temperature fluctuations.
Outcome
Had Capcon Engineering been involved from the design stage, we would have recommended alternative materials and a larger diameter for the primary drainage pipes, supplemented with a secondary system. A larger primary-only system, with supplementary drainage to manage excess, would minimise the risk of freezing within the pipes, thereby reducing the potential for structural damage in the long term. These modifications would help ensure the pipes could better withstand the cold and prevent the kind of issues the project had encountered.
This case illustrates the critical role that specialised expertise in rainwater drainage systems can play in high-stakes projects. When design teams are balancing a multitude of requirements across various building services, rainwater drainage can sometimes be overlooked or considered less critically. However, Capcon Engineering is equipped to manage this complexity, ensuring that rainwater drainage systems are designed to protect both the building’s structural integrity and the project’s long-term value. Our team’s expertise allows us to assume responsibility for the rainwater system, backed by our professional indemnity, thereby transferring risk from the design and engineering teams to Capcon.
By providing a dedicated focus on rainwater systems, Capcon Engineering helps ensure that critical buildings, such as data centres, are adequately protected from environmental risks, ultimately supporting the longevity and resilience of the infrastructure.
Image of DC for illustrative purposes only.
