Structural, thermal mass add up to data center protection

Cemex i

St. Louis-based Ascent LLC, a builder and operator of highly secure data centers is promoting its latest facility on the strength of mass, reinforced concrete: 15-in. walls and a 13.5-in. roof enclosing 42,600 sq. ft. of space. Dubbed DAL1 for its Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex proximity, the new Plano, Texas, facility is built to withstand exposure to 360-mph winds, well above the National Weather Service’s 200-mph threshold for (Enhanced Fujita Scale) EF5 tornadoes.

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40-year old precast augments Transamerica Pyramid’s LEED Platinum ascent

Sources: CP staff; Transamerica Pyramid Properties LLC and BuildingWise LLC, San Francisco; U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.

By Don Marsh

Exposed, white quartz-aggregate cladding was cited with a “cool roof” effect as Transamerica Pyramid owners pursued (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design-Existing Building) LEED-EB Platinum certification for their San Francisco landmark. Completed in 1972, the 853-ft. tower is enclosed with 3,920 precast pieces totaling 360,000 sq. ft. of surface.

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