The growth of data centers, the pressure to reduce turnaround times, and the constant evolution of their needs are forcing a rethinking of how these infrastructures are designed and built. In this context, tools such as BIM, specialized technical support, and modular systems make it possible to anticipate problems on-site and facilitate future expansions or modifications. We spoke with Roberto Ruiz, a member of the Technical Support and Specification team at Walraven Iberia, about the main challenges currently facing the industry.

 

Data centers are evolving rapidly to meet new demands for capacity, efficiency, and scalability. What challenges are you currently encountering in the design of your mounting systems?

The challenges to be addressed in data center construction include project timelines, the density and coordination of the various systems, and adaptability to future needs.

The speed with which a data center must be brought online is one of the most demanding challenges. We have found that prefabricated solutions that can be customized on-site are helpful and drastically reduce installation times.

The high density of systems coexisting in the same space—cable trays, HVAC, fire protection piping, and electrical power lines—all compete for the same space. Our modular support systems, combined with BIM work, allow us to define and design optimized routing and clearance solutions and avoid conflicts between systems before they reach the construction site.

Data center operators need infrastructure designed to grow and evolve, not closed-system solutions. The challenge lies in designing mounting systems that can support the expected load today, but that can be expanded, reconfigured, or reinforced tomorrow without having to replace the entire installation. That’s where the modularity of our systems provides a unique advantage.

 

How can specialized technical support help anticipate problems, optimize the design, and reduce unforeseen issues during project implementation?

The value of specialized technical support lies in guiding the engineer and installer throughout the entire process: from selecting the most appropriate system, through structural calculations and technical documentation, to resolving questions on-site. Our team gets involved from the early stages of the project, performing structural calculations for each support system based on the installation’s actual loads. This allows us to identify oversized components or weak points before the project reaches the construction phase, thereby avoiding last-minute modifications that lead to cost overruns and delays.

Furthermore, this continuity not only prevents problems—it also optimizes the project. Adjusting the sizing to the actual load, choosing the finish that best suits the environment, or simplifying the number of parts required results in less material, shorter assembly time, and fewer issues. It is a form of applied engineering that adds value at every stage, because the design decisions have already been technically validated from the outset.

 

What role does BIM methodology play in coordinating the various teams involved and in streamlining construction timelines?

BIM allows us to integrate our support systems into a 3D model shared with the other building systems—HVAC, electrical, and fire protection—and detect clashes before construction begins. This greatly streamlines coordination among engineering firms, installers, and the general contractor, because everyone is working from the same up-to-date information.

We provide designers with BIM object libraries for our own systems, complete with all technical and calculation data. This allows them to work with real data from the very first sketch, rather than generic approximations, resulting in more accurate designs and reliable measurements from the earliest stages.

When the support system is properly modeled in BIM, layout errors on-site and improvisation by the installer are drastically reduced. This speeds up construction times, because each team arrives on-site knowing exactly what to install, where, and with which components—with no last-minute surprises.

 

Given that construction deadlines are becoming increasingly tight, what advantages do modular fastening systems offer compared to other, more traditional solutions?

Our modular systems are assembled using mechanical connections, eliminating the need for on-site welding. This eliminates the need for hot work permits, reduces noise and dust, and, above all, significantly speeds up assembly time compared to traditional solutions—a critical factor in projects with very tight deadlines.

Because these are modular and standardized systems, much of the work can be prefabricated or prepared off-site, reducing the reliance on highly specialized labor during final assembly. This provides greater flexibility in construction planning and reduces the risk of delays due to a shortage of qualified personnel.

 

A data center's needs can change significantly shortly after it goes live. How does modularity allow you to adapt, expand, or modify the facilities more quickly?

Since our systems do not rely on welding or permanent, irreversible anchors, they allow for the removal, relocation, or expansion of trays and supports without the need for invasive modifications to the building’s structure. This is crucial in a data center, where an unplanned outage is extremely costly.

This flexibility is particularly valuable in projects designed with future growth phases in mind. Modularity makes it possible to initially install only what is strictly necessary and, when the time comes to expand capacity, to add new modules that are compatible with the existing system, without having to redesign or replace the original installation.

Furthermore, when the facility’s needs change—such as new cabling, new equipment, or the rearrangement of racks (the frames that house servers and other equipment)—our systems allow us to readjust the support structure quickly and easily using simple tools, rather than undertaking a complete renovation. This ability to respond quickly to changes in usage or load is one of the advantages most valued by our customers.

 

The ability to reuse some of the installed components can also help reduce waste and optimize resources. Do you think flexibility and reuse will play an increasingly important role in new data center projects?

Absolutely. More and more projects are incorporating circular economy principles, and our modular systems are designed with that in mind: components can be disassembled without damage and reused in an expansion, a reconfiguration, or even another project. This reduces construction waste and optimizes the investment already made in structural support.

The ability to anticipate needs, minimize issues during construction, and adapt facilities to future changes has become a key factor in developing more efficient and resilient data centers. The combination of BIM design, technical consulting, and modular solutions offers new possibilities for responding to a constantly evolving environment, in which speed of execution must be accompanied by long-term flexibility.