Lifecycle Management, Decommissioning, and Sustainable Practices
A truly robust data center strategy considers the entire lifecycle of its infrastructure, from initial design through eventual decommissioning and asset disposition. We provide comprehensive lifecycle management services that extend the operational life of existing infrastructure while planning for future growth and technology refreshes. This includes proactive maintenance scheduling, preventative measures based on vendor recommendations and observed operational data, and end-of-life (EOL) planning for all critical components (UPS batteries, generators, CRAC units, network hardware). Our decommissioning services are executed with meticulous precision to minimize disruption to remaining active infrastructure, ensuring data security through certified data destruction methods (e.g., degaussing, shredding, wiping to NIST 800-88 Revision 1 guidelines) for retired IT assets. This process adheres strictly to environmental regulations for e-waste disposal, partnering with certified recyclers (e.g., R2, e-Stewards certified) to ensure responsible and sustainable material recovery. We integrate sustainability best practices throughout the data center's lifecycle, from selecting energy-efficient hardware and infrastructure components (e.g., high-efficiency transformers, EC motors in CRAC units) during the design phase to implementing resource-saving operational practices like liquid cooling for higher density racks and leveraging renewable energy sources where feasible. Our consultations include analyzing metrics such as Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) and Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE) to identify opportunities for reducing the environmental footprint. Furthermore, our project documentation includes detailed asset registries that facilitate accurate financial depreciation, warranty management, and streamlined asset disposal, ensuring compliance with corporate governance and environmental stewardship goals. We also advise on strategies for repurposing existing infrastructure elements where possible, reducing waste and contributing to a circular economy model within the data center environment.
Why Berkeley teams choose Access Cabling for data center infrastructure
Across Berkeley — from UC Berkeley to the surrounding Alameda County corridor — IT directors and facilities managers pick Access Cabling for the same reasons: a licensed C-10 / C-7 contractor (CSLB 992009), 28+ years of commercial data center experience, BICSI-trained crews on-site, and Fluke DSX certification on every port. The result is a data center infrastructure install that a network engineer can drop into on day one — labeled, tested, and warranted for 25 years.
Seismic Resilience & Infrastructure for Berkeley's Buildings
Given Berkeley's location within a seismically active region of the Bay Area, ensuring the resilience of network infrastructure is not merely a best practice, but a critical necessity. Commercial cabling installations must account for seismic considerations, particularly in larger buildings and critical facilities like data centers or research labs. This involves utilizing appropriate seismic bracing for cable trays, racks, and equipment cabinets, as well as flexible conduits and pathways designed to withstand ground motion. Access Cabling employs industry best practices for seismic hardening, ensuring that essential network components remain operational and secure during and after seismic events. We understand the importance of securing equipment in communication rooms (IDFs/MDFs) to prevent damage. Our approach takes into account the specific building characteristics, whether it’s a reinforced concrete structure near Dwight Way or a steel-frame building near the Berkeley Marina, to implement solutions that meet or exceed local seismic safety codes and provide long-term reliability for Berkeley businesses.
Robust Power Distribution and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems
The backbone of any resilient data center is its power infrastructure, demanding meticulous design and implementation to ensure continuous operation and protect critical IT assets. Our solutions encompass end-to-end power distribution, starting from diverse utility feeds and redundant A/B bus configurations, through medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) switchgear, down to intelligent Power Distribution Units (PDUs) at the rack level. We specify and integrate high-efficiency Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, including modular, three-phase, and distributed rotary UPS architectures, selecting appropriate topologies such as double conversion online, line-interactive, or standby based on the required reliability and energy efficiency profiles. Battery energy storage systems (BESS), whether VRLA, Li-Ion, or emerging flywheel technologies, are sized for defined autonomy periods, with stringent attention to charge/discharge cycles, thermal management, and regular testing protocols (e.g., battery impedance testing) to prevent unexpected failures. Generator sets (diesel, natural gas, bio-fuel) are redundantly configured (e.g., N+1, 2N), with automated transfer switches (ATS) rigorously tested under full load conditions. We deploy branch circuit monitoring (BCM) and intelligent rack PDUs with outlet-level metering (PDU-level accuracy typically +/-1%), enabling precise power consumption monitoring, capacity planning, and proactive load balancing. Each component of the electrical infrastructure adheres to NEC (National Electrical Code) Article 645, addressing safe installation practices for Information Technology Equipment, and local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) requirements. Lifecycle management practices are integrated into our power designs, accounting for future IT load growth, decommissioning strategies, and the potential for migrating to higher voltage rack configurations (e.g., 400V PDU input) to reduce current and improve cable management within high-density racks. We also emphasize the importance of selective coordination studies to ensure that overcurrent protective devices clear faults effectively and minimize disruption to upstream circuits.
