Data centers are critical infrastructure for today’s digital economy, but their complexity demands specialized knowledge in both mechanical and electrical systems. This course explores the full lifecycle of data center design and operation—from site planning and environmental control to power systems and IT integration. Participants will gain practical skills in system sizing, code compliance, commissioning, and energy optimization, preparing them to manage high-performance, resilient facilities.

• Design and evaluate HVAC and electrical systems for data centers, including UPS, cooling, and power distribution.
• Apply ASHRAE, NFPA, and IEEE standards to ensure code compliance and operational safety.
• Implement commissioning processes and identify energy-saving opportunities to improve data center efficiency and uptime.

• IT facility operators, system administrators, and data center managers.
• Mechanical and electrical engineers, architects, and project consultants.
• Construction managers, contractors, and government procurement personnel involved in data infrastructure projects.

Day One

Welcome and Student Introductions                       

Tab 1 – Introduction to the IT Industry                                   

• Technology trends
• Historical servers, storage, network improvements
• Future trends driving the industry
• Technology uses
• Data generation
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Technology supporting infrastructure
• Data center facility types
• Electricity usage and sustainability
• Network and usage

Tab 2 – Properties of Moist Air                                     

• Temperature and humidity
• Enthalpy and pressure
• Psychrometric chart
• Sensible and latent heat
• Mixing of two air streams

Tab 3 – ASHRAE and Environmental Criteria           

• ASHRAE Technical Committee 9.9
• ASHRAE air cooling environments
• ASHRAE air contamination guidelines
• ASHRAE liquid cooling environments
• ASHRAE data center standards

Tab 4 – Defining Uptime Expectations                         

• Standards and guidelines
• Best practices
• Mechanical system topologies
• Electrical system topologies
• Performance analysis and optimization
• Risk and availability assessment

Tab 5 – Data Center Architecture                                 

• Data Center layout
• Planning a data center floor (Cold Aisle / Hot Aisle)
• Raised floor vs. non-raised floor
• Cabling
• IT placement

Day Two

Tab 5 – Data Center Architecture (continued)             

• Air cooling
• Air flow configurations
• CFD analysis

Tab 6 – Data Hall Design Considerations                     

• Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR)
• ITE Load
• Pysical arrangement
• Uptime expectation
• Data Hall Cooling
• Perimeter cooling
• Liquid cooling
• Data Hall power distribution
• Power Distribution Units
• Critical power distribution

Tab 7 – Mechanical System Design                               

• Data Center cooling loads
• Mechanical plant equipment
• Chillers
• Heat rejection systems
• Economizers
• Performance metrics
• Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
• WUE and CUE

Tab 8 – Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

• Technologies
• Topologies
• Electrical capacity management

Day Three

 Tab 9 – IT Equipment             

• IT equipment and workloads
• IT equipment thermal design
• Air cooling implementations
• Liquid cooling implementations
• IT interaction with data center
• X factor reliability analysis
• Pressure, DT, airflow 

 Tab 10 – Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)                     

• Define and reference
• Goals and use cases
• Reporting structure

 Tab 11 – Electrical Codes and Standards                                                  

• NFPA 70, National Electrical code
• NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the workplace
• NFPA 75, Standard for the fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment
• IEEE Std. 1100, IEEE Recommended Practice for Powering and Grounding Electronic Equipment (IEEE Emerald Book)

Tab 12 – Electrical System Design

• Utility service and voltage classes
• Standby power and emergency generators
• Primary power and transfer switches

Tab 13 – Case Studies                                                     

• Tier IV with 2,400 kW IT Load (NJ)
• Conversion from existing Tier II
• Tier III with 2,400 kW IT Load (MN)
• Equipment galleries
• Tier III with 6,400 kW IT load (CO)
• Modular data halls
• Tier III with 8,200 kW IT load (NC)
• Capacity increase after initial build

“I imagine a Venn diagram w/ 3 intersecting circles including ME, EE, and IT bubbles. This course is directly in the center. About the best summary that can fit in 3 days … Content-packed, well delivered, great value. Thanks!” 
-Matt, Epic Systems, Verona WI

 
“Very good at providing both depth and breadth of HVAC, Power, and IT Equipment as it relates to Data Centers. People with different areas of focus will become more knowledgeable and well-rounded when it comes to data center design after taking this class.” 
-Josh, Epic Systems, Verona WI

“This course provided a comprehensive understanding of critical systems. The instructors effectively integrated real-world examples, making the material practical and applicable to current industry challenges. Their expertise and clear communication made complex topics easier to grasp. I particularly appreciated how the course balanced theoretical knowledge with hands-on examples making it relevant to my day-to-day responsibilities.” 
-Jeffrey, Microsoft, Snellville GA

“This 3-day course provided a macro coverage of all the technical subjects governing the data center from a design and operations standpoint while also diving deep into certain topics facing the industry today. The instructors, Dustin, Richard, Stephen and Mark were fantastic in shedding insight from the coverage of first principles to sharing design best practices and considerations along the way. I look forward to brin(g)ing this knowledge back with me to my team to provide better insight and value to our clients and beyond.” 
-John, NV5, New York NY

Dustin Demetriou

Dustin W. Demetriou, PhD, is a Senior Technical Staff Member and Master Inventor at IBM where he leads the sustainability and data center innovation team. He has more than 15 years of experience focused on data center optimization and advanced electronics cooling technologies. He is an Uptime Institute Accredited Sustainability Advisor. He is the current Chair of the ASHRAE TC 9.9 IT Subcommittee, the past Chair of ASHRAE TC 9.9, and an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer 

Dustin received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Manhattan College, and MS and PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University.

Richard Schlosser

Richard Schlosser, principal at TiePoint-bkm Engineering in Baltimore, Maryland, is a registered professional engineer with more than 35 years of experience designing and commissioning Tier III and Tier IV power systems for computer and computer-related facilities. He served as a technical advisor to the Site Uptime Network for more than ten years. Richard holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Mark Malkin

Mark P. Malkin, PE, is a program director in the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs in the College of Engineering at UW-Madison. He is a registered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in university facilities project management and HVAC systems design. His course offerings include HVAC, plumbing and fire protection fundamentals, building code reviews, and design and operation of science labs, data centers, museums and libraries. Mark received his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and his MS in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison.

Stephen O'Neal

Stephen M. O’Neal, PE, Senior Global Mechanical Engineer at Amazon Web Services in Herndon, Virginia, is a Professional Engineer with more than 10 years of experience focused on data center and critical infrastructure projects. Stephen specializes in central plant and complex expansion projects within live facilities. Stephen holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh