Coordinating a Data Center Decommissioning Project

Coordinating a data center decommissioning project involves more than removing equipment from a facility. A complete plan may need to address infrastructure removal, equipment value, vendor coordination, project scheduling, site restoration and the disposition of UPS systems, generators and other critical-power assets.

Planning these elements together can create a more organized transition while helping the facility determine which equipment can be sold, recovered, relocated or recycled.

CI Group provides data center decommissioning services for organizations removing or transitioning critical-power infrastructure. Projects can include equipment evaluation, asset recovery, infrastructure removal and coordination of the work required to return the space to its planned condition.

Start With a Clear Data Center Decommissioning Plan

Before equipment removal begins, establish the scope of the project and identify what will remain, what will be removed and what should happen to the equipment after it leaves service.

Important planning considerations can include:

• Project schedule and facility access
• Equipment shutdown and removal requirements
• Safety and site procedures
• Asset ownership and disposition
• Equipment resale or recovery opportunities
• Recycling and disposal requirements
• Vendor and contractor coordination
• Transportation and logistics
• Building restoration requirements
• Project budget and recovered equipment value

A clearly defined scope also helps determine which contractors, trades and equipment specialists need to be involved throughout the project.

Evaluate the Value of Existing Data Center Equipment

Data center infrastructure can retain value even when a facility is being consolidated, relocated, upgraded or retired. Before equipment is removed or recycled, it can be useful to evaluate what equipment may be suitable for resale or recovery.

This review may include UPS systems, generators, power distribution equipment, switchgear, transformers and other critical infrastructure.

Equipment value can vary based on factors such as manufacturer, model, capacity, age, operating history, condition and current market demand. Reviewing those assets before removal can help establish an appropriate disposition strategy for the project.

CI Group purchases critical-power equipment through its Sell Your Equipment program, giving organizations another option when UPS systems, generators and related infrastructure are being removed from service.

Coordinate Vendors and Contractors

A full data center decommissioning project can involve several disciplines. Electrical contractors, equipment specialists, rigging providers, transportation companies, recycling vendors and building contractors may all be involved depending on the scope.

Coordinating those activities through a defined project plan can make it easier to manage equipment removal, transportation and restoration while maintaining clear responsibility for each part of the work.

CI Group can coordinate critical-power equipment removal as part of a broader data center decommissioning project and work with the other contractors required to complete the facility transition.

UPS and Generator Removal

Large UPS systems and commercial generators often represent some of the most substantial equipment involved in a data center decommissioning project.

Before removal, the project team should identify the equipment being taken out of service and document relevant information such as manufacturer, model, capacity, electrical configuration, physical dimensions and equipment condition.

Depending on the project, CI Group can evaluate and remove UPS systems and generators that may be appropriate for resale or recovery.

Organizations planning future projects can also explore CI Group’s available UPS systems and commercial and industrial generators.

Other Infrastructure That May Be Included

Data center infrastructure extends beyond the UPS system and generator plant. Depending on the facility and project scope, decommissioning may also involve equipment such as:

• UPS batteries and battery cabinets
• Power distribution units (PDUs)
• Electrical switchgear
• Panelboards
• Dry-type transformers
• Automatic transfer switches
• CRAC and cooling equipment
• Server racks and cabinets
• Network and fiber cabling
• Raised flooring
• Associated electrical and mechanical infrastructure

The exact removal plan should be based on the equipment present at the site and the condition in which the space needs to be delivered when the project is complete.

Plan for Recycling and Specialized Material Handling

Some infrastructure components require specific handling, recycling or disposal processes. Battery systems, refrigerants and other regulated materials should be incorporated into the project plan so the appropriate contractors and procedures are established before removal begins.

Defining these requirements early also helps coordinate equipment removal with the broader restoration schedule.

Address IT Asset and Data Requirements Separately

If servers, storage systems or other IT assets remain within the project scope, data-handling requirements should be clearly established before those assets are removed.

The organization should determine what equipment is being retained, transferred, recycled or destroyed and establish the required procedures for data security and asset disposition.

Those requirements can then be coordinated with the physical infrastructure decommissioning schedule.

Restore the Space for Its Next Use

Equipment removal is often only one part of a data center decommissioning project. The facility may also need to be prepared for a new tenant, a different use, renovation or return to the property owner.

Depending on the project, restoration activities may include removal of raised flooring, racks, cabling and other infrastructure along with electrical safe-offs, equipment-room cleanup and coordination of additional building restoration work.

Defining the required end condition at the beginning of the project helps establish the correct scope and responsibilities for the teams involved.

Use Equipment Recovery as Part of the Project Strategy

Decommissioning does not necessarily mean that every piece of infrastructure has reached the end of its useful application.

UPS systems, generators and other critical-power equipment may have value for another facility or project. Evaluating equipment before removal allows the organization to determine whether resale, relocation, recovery or recycling is the appropriate option.

CI Group buys and sells critical-power equipment and can evaluate equipment removed during a data center transition for potential resale or inventory opportunities.

Coordinate Data Center Decommissioning From Planning Through Removal

A well-organized data center decommissioning project brings equipment evaluation, contractor coordination, infrastructure removal, logistics and site restoration into one plan.

CI Group supports data center operators and facility owners with critical-power equipment recovery and infrastructure removal, including UPS systems, generators and related equipment.