Case Study: Fortune 25 Commercial Bank Data Center Testing with Purkay Labs
Overview
A Fortune 25 Commercial Bank employed Purkay Labs' services to perform functional and integrated systems tests (IST) for their newly constructed data center. Utilizing the AUDIT-BUDDY system, Purkay Labs captured real-time environmental data during various failure scenarios to ensure the center's performance aligned with project requirements. Notably, the bank identified a failure point not predicted by their original CFD model.
The Project
Representation of the AUDIT-BUDDY Stands
AUDIT-BUDDY within the Row
The Bank used Purkay Labs’ Thermal Survey Service to capture what happens to the Data Center environment during a CRAC failure.
Purkay Labs deployed 24 AUDIT-BUDDY systems across the 4,000 ft² facility, placing stands every 4.5 feet in both hot and cold aisles. Sensors were fixed to non-conductive carbon fiber rods at 6”, 36”, and 72” heights to capture comprehensive temperature and humidity profiles every minute for 24 hours. Data streamed to a central laptop outside the data hall using a private static IP address, providing live monitoring during the tests.This setup allowed the commissioning agent to observe conditions across each aisle at multiple heights during the tests.
The Results
Representative of the Time-Trend Feature
Time-Trend Graph Detail
During the initial CRAC failure test, AUDIT-BUDDY data revealed anomalies. Although the CFD model predicted safe temperatures, live-trending data showed inlet temperatures reached nearly 100°F within 5 minutes of failure. The commissioning agents re-ran the test and used the live data to assess recovery time, discovering that the room took 25 minutes to stabilize, with top rack inlet temperatures hitting 90°F. This gap prompted a revision of the client's power recovery operating procedures.
Key Take-Aways
Fully Autonomous
The AUDIT-BUDDY system operates independently of facility infrastructure, allowing the agent to monitor each aisle without interfering with servers or requiring integration with existing systems. This autonomy ensures comprehensive environmental monitoring without impacting operational data.
Scientific & Structured
Using the Dynamic Heat Map service, the agent placed three stands per aisle to capture detailed temperature variations. This configuration revealed vulnerabilities in Rows 4-10 during a CRAC failure, which previously went unnoticed with less comprehensive methods.
Live Results
Live data trending during the IST enabled the agent to quickly identify and address issues. The AUDIT-BUDDY system showed that Rows 4-10 reached alarm temperatures of 85°F within 4 minutes of CRAC failure, allowing for immediate corrective actions.
Summary
Purkay Labs completely redefined how environmental data is collected during the final validation tests, benefiting both the Commissioning Agent and the Client. Instead of relying on a few strategically placed loggers, Purkay Labs was able to offer a structured and scientific way of measuring all the aisles of the data center during the commissioning tests. Data was available instantly, including live time-trend graphs showing stratification throughout the data center.
This allowed the Commissioning agent to be very productive, eliminated post test reconstruction of data with loggers. The instantaneous data and graphs allowed the client to cancel a few tests and schedule some new ones. The data also uncovered some weaknesses in the CFD model by measuring temperatures higher than what the model had predicted.
About Purkay Labs
We believe that Data Center Operators deserve quick, reliable and independent data about their white space environment, without the burden of complicated permanent monitoring systems. We create simple, standalone, and cost-effective portable environmental monitoring systems so you can get data wherever and whenever you need it. Our flagship product- the AUDIT-BUDDY system- is the first multi-height portable environmental monitor that provides data to help manage your airflow, reduce Scope II emissions, increase energy efficiency & cooling optimization.
You can follow us @purkaylabs or visit our website: www.purkaylabs.com
About the Thermal Survey Service
With Purkay Labs Thermal Survey Service, our expert team will travel to your facility and conduct an extensive audit of your facility’s layout and environment. Purkay Labs will provide comprehensive and accurate temperature, humidity, dew point and serve delta-T data at multiple locations across the facility. Using the AUDIT-BUDDY system, Purkay Labs will capture data at multiple heights, and will not touch any cabinets or impact the daily operation. Purkay Labs will work with your team to get the data you need based on the project specifications.