Data centres are designed to accommodate mission critical systems such as UPS systems (Uninterruptible Power Supply) that must be run under strict environmental conditions. Excess heat, high humidity or poor airflow can shorten the life of supporting systems, increasing the likelihood of outages and eroding service availability. 

For example, batteries in UPS systems require a operating temperature of between 20 °C and 25 °C. Outside this range, their lifespan is seriously impacted, and there may be damage to the battery blocks that would necessitate premature replacement and additional expense. Through effective monitoring practices, data centre operators are able to detect impending risks early, correct problems and ensure they remain compliant with industry regulations.

Temperature control is a critical factor in data centre operations. Servers and networking equipment generate substantial heat that must be carefully managed to prevent overheating. With the rapid growth of AI applications driving higher power consumption and increased heat output, effective temperature management has become more important than ever. To effectively monitor and manage temperature within your data centre, we would advise the following. 

• Monitor hot and cold aisles: Ensuring separation of hot and cold air streams improves cooling efficiency and reduces hotspots. By placing environmental sensors within dedicated hot and cold aisle containment, operators can obtain more accurate temperature readings across the protected space.
  
• Deploy sensors strategically: Place temperature sensors at multiple rack levels (top, middle and bottom) to capture an accurate picture of heat distribution across your hardware. 
  
• Set threshold alerts: Configure automated alerts for temperature deviations to prevent equipment damage.
  

Humidity levels that are too high or too low pose risks. Excessive humidity can cause condensation and corrosion, while low humidity can increase the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD). To effectively monitor and manage humidity within your data centre, we would advise the following. 

• Maintain recommended ranges: Industry guidelines (such as ASHRAE) recommend keeping relative humidity between 40% and 60%.
  
• Integrate humidity sensors: Position sensors across the facility to detect fluctuations and adjust cooling systems accordingly. Typically combined with temperature sensors, by placing these within dedicated hot and cold aisle containment, operators can obtain more accurate temperature readings across the protected space.
  
• Leverage intelligent controls: Use environmental monitoring systems or data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) tools to automate responses and alarms when humidity falls outside safe ranges.
  

Dew point control is a critical element in data centre operations. If the dew point is not managed within safe limits, condensation or overly dry conditions can occur, both of which pose risks to IT equipment and infrastructure. 

• Deploy sensors strategically: Position dew point sensors at different points within the data hall, particularly near cooling units and within rack aisles, to provide a clear understanding of moisture levels.
  
• Monitor critical zones: Focus on areas where humidification and dehumidification are most active, as these zones are more prone to fluctuations in dew point.
  
• Set threshold alerts: Configure automated alerts for dew point deviations, as both high and low extremes can result in condensation, corrosion, or electrostatic discharge, leading to potential equipment damage.
  

Monitoring environmental conditions in a data centre is not optional, it is essential for operational resilience, equipment longevity and energy efficiency. By focusing on temperature, humidity and dewpoint monitoring whilst leveraging modern technologies such as EMS and DCIM. Data centre operators can reduce risks, improve reliability and maintain compliance. Effective environmental monitoring is the foundation of a stable, efficient and future ready data centre operations.