Major Parisian data centre specifies KPS piping to fuel backup generators

A renowned international data centre management company required a conductive, leak free zero-permeation plastic pipe system for their new data centre in Paris, France. This system supplies diesel to the backup generators that provide electricity to the facility in case of interruption of the regular power supply. KPS piping was specified for this project to connect the diesel tanks with the backup generators on the roof, and to connect the remote fill points to the diesel tanks, providing an easy-install electrostatically safe solution.

A new data centre facility in Paris, France specified KPS double wall piping to fuel backup generators | © KPS Petrol Pipe System™

Problem

A power outage at a facility like this could be catastrophic to the service it provides, making a reliable emergency power system critical. To solve this problem, the facility has several backup generators in case of an interruption of the regular power supply.

This French data centre required a high-performance piping system for their generators which would allow a 933 litre/minute flow rate.

Due to the data centre’s location in an urban centre, generators were installed on the roof of the building, while the fuel tanks were located below ground.

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Data centre facilities require a number of backup generators to ensure an uninterrupted power supply | © KPS Petrol Pipe System™

The diesel supply piping system connects below ground tanks to generators on the roof — Data centre facilities require a number of backup generators to ensure an uninterrupted power supply | © KPS Petrol Pipe System™

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KPS 2” (75/63mm) conductive double wall piping connects fuel tanks to backup generators | © KPS Petrol Pipe System™

KPS’ double wall pipework includes an interstitial space between the inner and outer pipes, providing an extra layer of security — KPS 2” (75/63mm) conductive double wall piping connects fuel tanks to backup generators | © KPS Petrol Pipe System™

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Liquid tight KPS pipe entry seals protect against fuel egress & groundwater ingress — KPS provided a liquid tight solution, including watertight entry boots | © KPS Petrol Pipe System™

Solution

KPS’ conductive double wall polyethylene piping proved a perfect solution for this data centre.

Installed following the installation of the fuel tanks and chambers, KPS’ 4” (125/110mm) double wall piping was installed to connect the remote fill points (the point where fuel tankers deliver fuel) to the below ground tanks, and KPS’ 2” (75/63mm) double wall piping was installed to connect fuel tanks to metal piping running up the outside wall of the facility, and from where the metal piping terminated on the roof, to the backup power generators.

>> KEY FEATURES OF KPS PIPING FOR THIS PROJECT

KPS 4” piping allows a flow rate of 933 litre/minute enabling fast fuel delivery
KPS double wall piping includes an interstitial space between the inner and outer pipes, providing an extra layer of security
Electrostatically safe (conductive), avoiding potential static build-up
Installed by a certified professional (KPS offers an installer training and certification programme)
Fast, simple installation (compact electrofusion fittings)
Zero permeation: liquid/watertight
Corrosion-free

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KPS piping has zero permeation (liquid/watertight) | © KPS Petrol Pipe System™

KPS piping is corrosion-free — KPS piping has zero permeation (liquid/watertight) | © KPS Petrol Pipe System™

Results

KPS’ plastic (polyethylene) pipe system provides data centres and cloud facilities like this one with reliable, safe fuel transfer solutions to supply facilities’ backup generators in case of an interruption of the regular power supply.

As the use of data centres has increased, their requirements have evolved significantly. In recent years, this has led to an increasing need for efficiency, reliability, and reduced downtime risk, driving an increased focus on value over cost.

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