HP Cluster Platform Site Preparation Guide

in a single, straight-row configuration. The temperature in the room where an HP Cluster Platform
is located should never exceed 32°C (95°F), and should comply with the American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) requirements specified in
Table 1-11.
Table 1-11 Environmental Requirements for Air Handling
Rate of ChgDew pointRelative Humidity % NoncondensingTemp (°C, dry bulb)ASHRAE
RecommendedAllowableRecommendedAllowable
5°C/hr1740 to 5520 to 8020 to 2515 to 321
The operating temperature inside cluster modules is always higher than the room temperature
and depends on the configuration of equipment in your rack.
Warning!
Do not modify or remove the blanking panels installed in a rack or obstruct the airflow within
the rack.
See Section 1.5.4 (page 25) for information about calculating the heat load. HP provides
recommendations on cooling methods in Power and Cooling Trends in the Datacenter (TC030203TB),
available at the following location: http://techcomm.cca.cpqcorp.net/whitepapers/tc030203tb.pdf
and Best Practices for HP 10000 Series and HP 10000 G2 Series Racks available at the following
location:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00637362/c00637362.pdf
1.9.2 Acoustics
For the purpose of site planning and for considering noise abatement strategies (such as acoustic
walls), you can determine the acoustic level of the cluster by combining the individual noise
levels from each component according to the formulas defined in Appendix D.
Caution:
A cluster might generate sufficient levels of noise to cause hearing damage if the noise is
experienced over an extended time period. If your calculations (or actual measurements of an
installed cluster) indicate levels that exceed 87 dBa, exposure to such noise levels should not
exceed 8 hours.
See the specifications documentation for an individual component (such as a server) for the
declared noise levels of individual components. The specifications for all components included
in a cluster are provided in the installation and operation guide for a specific cluster model. The
following considerations might also apply when planning:
• You might be installing the cluster in a computer room that has existing noise sources.
• When working in the vicinity of a running cluster, HP recommends that all users and service
personnel use hearing protection that complies with local safety standards in force. This is
particularly important when working at the cluster's KVM console.
• You can reduce the ambient noise level in a computer room by using the following strategies,
providing they are integrated with the cooling system:
— A dropped ceiling of fiberglass ceiling tiles that are commercial grade, fire resistant,
and acoustic rated. (Such tiles are often incorporated into overhead air supply and
return plenums.)
— Sound-deadening curtains or other sound deadening material on walls.
— Removable partitions. (Foam rubber models are most effective).
1.9 Environmental Requirements 33