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Technology Rooms
(Computer Rooms) For Schools Many schools find themselves playing catch up with the latest in technology for their computer classes. Provisions to address computer issues should be made during the initial design stage to allow for the changing environment of computer hardware.
Technology Room Layout
Electrical Power:
The room should be arranged so that changing electrical power requirements can be accommodated easily without bringing in new feeders or branch circuits. We recommend that power panels be provided just outside each technology room. A flexible arrangement of branch circuit raceway (plugmold) is indicated in figure 1. This arrangement allows adding or removing circuits as required. 
Central control of power to the room can be achieved by providing a remote control switch in each panel to shut off all power to the room including air conditioning when the room is not in use (reducing energy costs). Surge suppression at each power panel can reduce the need for individual surge suppression strips or outlets.
Lighting:
The most effective means to light technology rooms and reduce glare is to use a system of up lights (indirect lighting fixtures). Depending on the type of tasks performed within the technology room the foot candle level can vary between 20 to 50 foot candles. For a typical lighting scheme see figure 2. 
Data:
The first step is to locate a LAN (local area network) or MDF (main distribution frame) room. The type of network used will determine the number and type of cable run from the LAN room to each technology room. The cable can be run above the ceiling in the corridor or in the crawl space (if any). If run above the hung ceiling in a return air plenum, then verify local codes to determine the type of outer jacket required for this application. The location of the individual drops within each technology room should be coordinated with the file server within each room. By incorporating an electrical partition within the power raceway, data cables for networking can be run providing greater flexibility and reduced possibility of damage to the cables. 
HVAC:
Having adequate air conditioning within the technology room is critical for the proper operation of the equipment. The location of the room will generally determine the type of system used. We recommend that a packaged air conditioning unit (thru the wall unit ventilator(s) or a roof top unit) be installed (see figure 3). If the equipment loads are known then the unit(s) should be sized at that load plus 10% for spare capacity. If the equipment loads are not known an allowance of 100 sq. ft. per ton (4 computer work stations) can be used. | ||
