Montgomery College Secondary Data Center

GHT provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering and fire protection design services for the Montgomery College Secondary Data Center in Rockville, Maryland.

The Montgomery College Secondary Data Center (SDC) at the Rockville Campus is a mission-critical facility that houses IT infrastructure ensuring redundancy and disaster recovery for major College systems. This data center plays a vital role in maintaining continuous operations, supporting College-wide applications, and safeguarding IT resources in the event of disruptions to the Primary or Tertiary Data Centers.

GHT provided mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering and fire protection design services for the Montgomery College Secondary Data Center, including:

• Mechanical and electrical engineering design to support the mission-critical nature of the facility.
• Implementation of redundant cooling and power distribution systems to ensure operational continuity.
• Design of advanced fire protection systems, including pre-action sprinklers and clean agent fire suppression, to protect IT assets.

Montgomery College is a renowned public community college serving Montgomery County, Maryland. The Rockville Campus, at 51 Mannakee Street in Rockville, is the largest of the College’s three campuses, serving approximately 15,000 students annually. The campus offers a diverse range of academic programs, including STEM, business, humanities, and health sciences, supporting both degree-seeking students and workforce development initiatives. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to innovation, Montgomery College plays a critical role in providing accessible, quality education to the region.

The Montgomery College Secondary Data Center, executed under a design-build arrangement, includes the construction of a mission-critical IT facility spanning approximately 850 square feet at the basement and rooftop levels of the Rockville Campus. The project included:

• 24/7 HVAC Infrastructure: The facility is equipped with a split system and in-row coolers, with condensers located on the roof to ensure optimal temperature control for IT equipment.
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): The data center features an 80 kW UPS system with 15 minutes of battery backup to maintain continuous operations during power fluctuations.
• Emergency Power Generation: A 300-kW natural gas standby generator, mounted on the roof, provides backup power to support critical IT loads during utility outages.
• Robust Mechanical and Electrical Infrastructure: The design adheres to Tier 1 functionality as defined by the Uptime Institute, with enhancements that include dual critical power distribution pathways, enabling support for dual-corded servers within the cabinets. While Tier certification is not being pursued, industry-standard technologies and design methodologies have been implemented to enhance resilience and reliability.
• Advanced Fire Protection Systems: The data center features a pre-action sprinkler system, clean agent fire suppression, and an ante room to enhance safety and mitigate fire risks.
• IT Equipment and Network Infrastructure: The data center is outfitted with high-performance electrical and HVAC products by Schneider, ensuring efficient and reliable operations.

The Montgomery College Secondary Data Center is a vital component of the College’s IT infrastructure, providing a secure, resilient, and highly available environment for mission-critical applications and disaster recovery. With robust mechanical and electrical infrastructure, redundant power and cooling, and advanced fire protection systems, the SDC ensures that Montgomery College maintains continuous operations, safeguards its IT assets, and delivers reliable services to students, faculty, and staff. The project exemplifies best practices in mission-critical design, reinforcing Montgomery College’s commitment to technological innovation and operational excellence.