ValorC3 Reveals EF5 Tornado-Resistant Data Center in Oklahoma City
ValorC3 has announced the launch of its new Tier III data center in Oklahoma City, engineered to resist EF5 tornadoes with wind speeds up to 310 mph. This facility aims to provide uninterrupted service in a region frequently affected by harsh weather.
A Fortress Against Nature's Fury
The 162,000 sq. ft. data center features 12-inch-thick reinforced concrete walls near Will Rogers International Airport and a hardened roof. These structural enhancements are designed to protect against the most violent tornadoes recorded in the area. The facility also includes on-site indoor generators and advanced battery storage systems to ensure continuous operation during power outages.
Jim Buie, CEO of ValorC3, stated,
"The incremental cost of fortifying the facility wasn't as much as you would think," emphasizing the company's commitment to resilience without excessive expenditure.
Strategic Location and Design
The data center is located on a secure four-acre campus, offering easy access to the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Its design includes three 2,000kW MTU Detroit Diesel Generators and three Schneider Electric Galaxy VX 1250 kW UPS for backup power, and fuel storage capable of maintaining operations for a minimum of 48 hours.
Additionally, the facility is built above the 100-year floodplain, mitigating risks associated with flooding, a growing concern in data center site selection.
Meeting Modern Infrastructure Needs
ValorC3's Oklahoma City data center offers scalable colocation solutions, supporting up to 30 kW per cabinet. It is equipped to handle legacy applications and is prepared for AI deployment with flexible space, cooling, and power configurations.
The facility also provides a robust suite of tailored Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS), and Backup as a Service (BaaS) solutions. Clients can seamlessly connect to hybrid and multi-cloud workflows with dedicated, direct, self-service cloud on-ramp connections.
A Response to Regional Challenges
Oklahoma has a history of devastating tornadoes, including the 2013 Moore tornado, which caused significant damage and loss of life. By constructing a facility capable of withstanding such events, ValorC3 addresses the critical need for resilient infrastructure in tornado-prone areas.
Conclusion
ValorC3's new data center in Oklahoma City represents a significant advancement in disaster-resistant infrastructure. By combining robust physical defenses with modern technological capabilities, the facility sets a new standard for data center resilience in regions susceptible to extreme weather.
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