We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Industry

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is an Equipment Room?

By B. Turner
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 10,466
Share

An equipment room is a dedicated space within a building that is used to hold computer and telecommunications equipment. This room may also be known as a central apparatus room (CAR), and is also referred to as a data or server room. Depending on the function of the facility, and equipment room may also house broadcasting or radio equipment.

In very large establishments, such as college campuses or businesses spread over multiple buildings, the equipment room generally houses only equipment shared across the entire facility. This include large central server systems, telecommunications gear, and networking equipment. Devices used in a limited number of buildings or departments are generally housed in separate telecommunications or data rooms. In a smaller facility, the central equipment room may be the only space used to house all of these systems and all related equipment.

While the layout of these rooms may vary based on the needs of different types of users, most utilize some form of racking or storage system to keep equipment and cables organized. The equipment found in these rooms often produces a great deal of heat, resulting in dedicated air conditioning systems used to keep the room within a specified temperature range. Many also utilize a series of alarms to alert users if temperatures fall outside of an acceptable range, as this could lead to an equipment failure or even a fire. The equipment room may include some form of computer terminal or control system that allows workers to maintain and monitor building systems.

Like an electrical or mechanical room, equipment rooms are often subject to strict regulation regarding their layout, design, and safety features. This is primarily due to the high voltages associated with the equipment housed in the rooms. Many local building codes or fire departments include provisions to help contractors and building owners design these rooms to maximize safety. While requirements may vary, they typically include rules about emergency exit lighting, fire suppression systems, and access control. Generally, one of the main goals of an equipment room layout is to balance safety with function and productivity.

Whenever possible, many builders locate the equipment room along an exterior wall, which allows for an exit directly to the outdoors. This allows for quick and efficient access during an emergency so that users can shut down equipment or repair a malfunctioning system. It also enables the control room operator to exit safely in a fire should occur in this room.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-an-equipment-room.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.