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Erzdiözese Wien - Hightech in the basement vault - a new data center for the Vienna Archdiocese
  
 

Doubly protected: Episcopal blessed highly secure data center in the basement vault of the Vienna Archdiocese

In 2003 the Vienna Archdiocese decided to relocate its data center, because its old data center no longer met current safety standards. A new location was selected in the basement vault directly beneath the Archepiscopal palace. The air conditioning of the old premises was a special challenge - these had already been in use as a storage cellar during the time of the Turkish siege of Vienna. Together with COMPAREX, it was possible to implement a fully airconditioned, video controlled high-tech data center with safety access and the newest technique for early fire detection.

The Vienna Archdiocese became aware of COMPAREX at an IDC event. During 2001 COMPAREX had implemented a data center for the Austrian Chancellor's Office within their historic building. As a result of its substantial expert knowledge and experience, COMPAREX, in November 2003, received the order to create a new data center in the basement vault of the Vienna Archdiocese.

Planning in the smallest detail
Up until end of DecemberCOMPAREX accurately prepared each design step in great detail. The detailed planning was a huge challenge and, in particular, the unusual architecture of the basement vault had to be considered. Enough space had to be cleared within the long and narrow room with its angular ceiling (68 square meters) for two rows of racks. A raised floor had to be installed and the exact locations for the fire-extinguishing system, air conditioning system and heat exchangers had to be determined. Also lighting and cable trays had to be accurately planned to the last millimeter.

It was the intention of Vienna Archdiocese to have a single competent partner as general contractor instead of dealing with lots of different companies. COMPAREX was responsible for both planning as well as the entire project management and was able to prove its ability to implement a state-of-the-art data center under difficult conditions.

Premiere for automatic nitrogen fire-extinguishing system
Special emphasis was placed on the fire-extinguishing system. The automatic fire-extinguishing system was combined with an ultra-modern early fire detection system, which can detect fires by permanently monitoring changes of the air. Two smoke air intake systems are permanently analysing the air. If the air composition changes (starting at 0,25 percent onwards), an early warning will be set off. Stronger smoke emission (above 0,8 percent air consistence change) sets off the main alarm, which warns people via a signal-horn, strobe-lights and danger signs to leave the room immediately and not to enter any more. A while later the room will be flooded with nitrogen.

Extinguishing agent nitrogen
It is not useful to fight fire in data centers with water, because water would destroy the sensitive computers, and therefore nitrogen is used. Nitrogen is a nontoxic gas, which can be easily handled. With the COMPAREX solution for the Vienna Archdiocese, five bottles filled with nitrogen are placed outside the data center, waiting for their use. In the case of a fire the data center will be flooded with the gas. After extinguishing the fire, nitrogen can escape via the normal ventilation.

COMPAREX is also responsible for the networking within the building for the early fire detection system. In case of a hazardous incident a message appears on the operating panel located in the data center as well as with the porter. Access to the supervisory server and to the video camera is available from every position via PC or notebook.

Doubly secured electricity supply
The electricity is supplied via two redundant UPS-electric circuits. The battery blocks, which take over essential supply in a total power blackout, are able to run the whole system for 25 minutes. This is enough time to save all data and to shut down the system properly. The electricity supply installation consists of 150 meters of bracket systems, 56 groundings and 1,7 kilometers of cables.

Ultimate security for the data of 660 parishes
The access to the data center is secured by special doors with motor locks, authorization terminals and authentication cards. The terminals are used for unlocking the doors and elevator release as well as for admission logging. The system is coupled with eight cameras, which can make every part of the room visible. The detailed planning from COMPAREX was outstanding.

From the basement to the roof
An important goal of the project was, not to disturb the unique atmosphere of the listed buildings of the Vienna Archdiocese through obtrusive and noisy equipment. Therefore the heat exchangers were placed on the roof of the seven-story building. The heat exchangers could not be placed in the basement because of the rather damp climate and the strong generation of heat. The heavy equipment was fastened on the roof with a special construction. The problems of noise disturbance and vibrations, which spread across the pipes, were eliminated by COMPAREX through loosely mounted dynamic pumps. With this solution COMPAREX was able to not disturb neighbours within the densely populated city and also to protect the atmosphere of the Vienna Archdiocese. 

Easier said than done
To bring the heat exchangers to the roof was another challenge for COMPAREX. The parking restrictions and the bus traffic in the road nearby were the reason why COMPAREX shifted this action to the contemplative courtyard of Archdiocese. The structural restrictions demanded a special crane to bring the heat exchangers and pumps to the roof, where a special platform was created in time, perfectly coordinated by COMPAREX.

Completion in due time thanks to strong commitment
Although the construction work in the old basement had not been completed, COMPAREX had to start with the infrastructural fittings, because the room needed to be finished for the Holy Week 2004, which was just three months later. The work started in the middle of January 2004 and, because of strong commitment, COMPAREX was able to complete the room in time for March 2004. For Friedrich Ziehfreund,  COMPAREX Business-Consultant, completing in due time was also of great concern, and therefore he also grabbed the broom if necessary. The cooperation between the experienced teams of COMPAREX and the Archdiocese was great and very satisfactory for both parties.

Doubly secured
COMPAREX was able to implement a technically superior safeguard system for the data center. Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schoenborn himself blessed the data center with all involved parties in attendance, not to rely on technology alone. 

Archdiocese Vienna
The Vienna Archdiocese (http://stephanscom.at) covers Vienna and the eastern half of Lower Austria with 660 parishes in total.
Around 4.000 employees work for Archdiocese in different areas, which is similar to a large company.
Thanks to around 1.369.000 members it is the largest diocese by numbers within Austria.
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 Doubly protected: Episcopal blessed highly secure data center in the basement vault of the Vienna Archdiocese (663.07 KB)

"It's easy to implement a noisy cooling system in the open countryside, but in the middle of a town this is a challenge."

"COMPAREX is perfect in finding the right subcontractors and professionals to be successful together."

Wolfgang Pelz, Projectmanager and Manager Operations & Service of the IT department of Archdiocese Vienna.