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Category: Industry Guides

Data Centre Humidity Control: Why Precision Matters

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Server rooms and data centres operate within a narrow humidity band — too dry and static discharge becomes a risk, too humid and corrosion accelerates. The ASHRAE guidelines recommend a dew point range of 5.5°C to 15°C for most data centre environments.

The Risks at Both Extremes

Low humidity (below 40% RH) generates electrostatic discharge that can damage sensitive components. High humidity (above 60% RH) promotes condensation on circuit boards and accelerates metal corrosion. Neither failure mode is immediately obvious — damage accumulates gradually until a component fails.

Precision Control Systems

Modern data centre humidification and dehumidification systems integrate with building management systems to maintain humidity within ±3% of the setpoint. Redundant sensors and automatic failover ensure continuous control even during maintenance periods.

Energy Efficiency Considerations

Humidity control accounts for a significant portion of a data centre’s cooling energy budget. Variable-speed drives on fans and compressors, combined with free-cooling economisers, can reduce humidity control energy by 30–40% compared to conventional systems.

Chloramine Management in Indoor Pool Facilities

Posted on by Jeremiah Valencia

Chloramines — the chemical compounds formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in pool water — are the primary air quality challenge in indoor aquatic environments. They cause the characteristic “pool smell,” eye and skin irritation, and in high concentrations, respiratory problems.

Where Chloramines Come From

Bathers introduce nitrogen-containing compounds (sweat, urine, personal care products) into pool water. These react with chlorine to form mono-, di-, and trichloramines. Trichloramine is the most volatile and is primarily responsible for air quality issues.

The Ventilation Solution

Because trichloramine is heavier than air, it accumulates in the layer just above the water surface — at breathing height for swimmers. Effective ventilation systems supply fresh air at the pool deck level and exhaust air from above the water, creating a sweeping pattern that continuously removes chloramine-laden air.

Design Considerations

Air change rates of 6–10 ACH are typical for competitive facilities. Dehumidification must run in parallel to prevent condensation on structural elements. Heat recovery is essential given the high exhaust rates — without it, pool halls are extremely expensive to heat.