Dear Data Centers, "Use Your Inside Voice"

With our extensive use of cooling systems, backup generators, and other equipment, data centers can generate significant noise. It's not just the loudness of the noise, data centers produce noises that travels in low frequencies, and they have very long wavelengths, so they are not able to be absorbed by air molecules which makes them hard to block and over time we stop hearing this type of noise- but our brains do not. There are some health implications in addition to the result of people just being unexplainably grumpy and less productive. Ultimately, data center noise, if not properly managed, can contribute to noise pollution, affecting nearby communities and the environment. ?

This topic has been just as frustrating for data center builders who sought out to meet all the rules and current regulations yet still receive public complaints on a regular basis.

On a serious note, as Karen P. of Powerhouse Data Centers reminds us quite often, it it’s not just for our neighbors we live in this community too, we are raising our families here too. ?Being highly sensitive to high noise myself, I also encourage the changes needed alongside our efforts to be climate neutral, we need to support biodiversity. Addressing noise manipulation can be a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires proper planning and a holistic approach and help you avoid costly retrofits later or worse legal battles.

What you need to know:

On December 11, 2023, the Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission passed a resolution to conduct an in-depth study on current and anticipated trends in the data center industry which includes noise control. ?Microsoft Word - Data Centers.FINAL .docx ( virginia.gov ) .

Then we have the SB 288 Data centers; noise abatement . This proposed legislation mandates that data center land use applications must be approved only if they adhere to noise abatement regulations. Developers will also be required to implement sound mitigation measures and maintain a public website to announce the operational times of backup generators. Although this bill is listed failed to report, this is just the beginning of these efforts- change is coming.

What can we do as a Data Center community now?

Assessing a site's noise profile before construction and monitor equipment noise levels during operation. Slower fan speeds and higher-quality balance requirements are good examples of tackling the problem at the source and other considerations such as rooftop installations- mounting HVAC equipment on spring mounts and piping and ductwork in the building can be suspended on acoustic hangers. Adopting innovative measures to reduce noise from power generators, offering both permanent and temporary solutions for effective noise management.

Once a data center is operational, it is advisable to continuously monitor noise and vibration levels. Site managers can be automatically alerted if these levels exceed predefined parameters, enabling them to take mitigative action promptly.

Reach out to [email protected] and allow us to help you with a holistic approach to noise mitigation and as we like to say it “use your inside voice” and don't be a part of your neighbor's or your employee's unhappiness.