Noise control strategies for Data Centers near residential communities

As growing demand for computing power and data storage grows, the proliferation of large commercial Data Centers has brought new and growing noise concerns to residential communities around the United States. Drawing on the authors’ experience over the past several years in Data Center noise control, this presentation will discuss some of the most objectionable noise sources (such as cooling and emergency power systems), means of controlling noise from these sources, and issues related to establishment of noise control criteria with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ’s). Discussions will include the application of local noise ordinances written to address less robust noise sources, differences between land proffers and noise ordinances (including ways that well-crafted proffers can be negotiated with AHJ’s to protect both developers and residents), and challenges of enforcement of agreed-upon criteria even with motivated AHJ’s. As much of the work with AHJ’s involves the input of local residents, discussion will also address means of educating residents regarding potential acoustic criteria.