EMH&T understands the extreme confidentiality associated with data center projects, so we do not provide a listing of client names, projects, or locations. We can say our clients include Fortune 100 technology companies, as well as companies in such industries as banking, insurance, retail, automotive, and more.

Preliminary Due Diligence

Also called a “desktop review,” EMH&T’s engineers review potential sites on behalf of our clients, providing analysis and recommendations regarding physical characteristics of the location, including topography, environmental concerns, zoning regulations, and potential hazards like flood zones; regulatory compliance that may affect the project’s feasibility; and assessing infrastructure availability (utilities, transportation), design challenges, and technology considerations.

Detailed Due Diligence

Once a site is identified as a good potential location, EMH&T performs detailed engineering, survey and environmental due diligence. Studies include utility modeling for domestic and fire suppression water supply and wastewater infrastructure; roadway network evaluations and traffic modeling, project permitting requirements, support for completing project zoning and entitlements, and review of telecommunications infrastructure. EMH&T puts “boots on the ground” to perform boundary, topographic and ALTA surveys and investigations for waters of the US, environmental site assessments, archaeological/cultural resources surveys, and wetland evaluations and delineations. Results of the studies are shared with local partners to ensure planning and design for public infrastructure supporting the site meet project capacity and schedule requirements.

Site Master Plan

The EMH&T team prepares conceptual and detailed site plans and grading. Master planning includes such specialized items as site security and parking, equipment layout, loading dock locations and access, water/sewer infrastructure with booster/lift stations as necessary, and construction logistics – including provisions for oversized loads needed to deliver project equipment. This phase also includes electric substation coordination, and horizontal and vertical routing of private utilities within the site (outside of the building) such as electrical, telecommunication, and fiber.

Detailed Design

EMH&T engineers bring the master plan to life though detailed design of the utilities, grading, stormwater drainage facilities, stormwater management infrastructure, internal site roadway networks and loading docks/service areas. EMH&T brings our clients the added value of having almost every discipline needed to meet civil project requirements in-house including environmental, survey, roadway, public works, water resources, and more. This supports a wholistic approach to design which streamlines project execution and confidentiality.

EMH&T also designs and supports enabling off-site projects such as roadway and utility infrastructure improvements and traffic analysis.

Construction Phase Services

From due diligence through construction and close-out, the design team remains with the project, representing the client to the contractors. Our services include responding to RFIs, site observations, punch list, and project closeouts.

Data center projects bring complex considerations far beyond development of a standard commercial site.

EMH&T engineers are experienced working with high voltage electric power providers and project needs for power reliability and redundancy. EMH&T designs carefully consider the varied needs of a data center classified from Tier I (single path power and cooling without redundant components) to Tier IV (multiple active power and cooling distribution paths with redundancies and fault tolerance).

Data centers require a higher level of security. Our team understand design for secure entrances and security facilities including perimeter fencing and creation of perimeter grading and landscape buffers.

Many hyperscale data centers have goals for carbon and/or water neutrality. EMH&T brings decades of experience assisting companies in reaching environmentally responsible goals.

EMH&T civil designs for data centers include careful stormwater management to protect against facility flooding and environmental impacts.

Due Diligence:

Studies

• Assessment of available utilities (Storm, Sanitary, Water, Electric, Telecommunications, Gas)
• Flood hazard impact assessment
• Land title review
• Zoning entitlement review
• Stormwater management regulation review
• Roadway infrastructure assessment and traffic studies
• Determination of development fees (Impact fees, Capacity fees, Zoning and filing fees, Plan review and inspection fees)
• Summary of development process/jurisdictional review

Land Surveying

• ALTA, ACSM surveys
• Topographic surveys
• Annexation and rezoning documents

Environmental Studies

• Preliminary investigation for waters of the United States
• Asbestos/demolition survey
• Phase I and II environmental site assessments
• Archaeological/cultural resources
• Wetland evaluations and delineations

Land Planning

• Conceptual and schematic land use plans
• Presentation graphics
• Preliminary and final development plans
• Zoning texts and development standards
• Representation at public meetings

Final Design:

• Early works packages (mass excavation plans and earthwork analysis)
• Zoning compliance plans
• Mass excavation plans
• Stormwater pollution prevention plans & NPDES Permitting
• Utility improvement plans
• Roadway improvement plans
• FEMA submissions/permitting
• Stormwater management design
• Water system design
• Pump station design
• Land application design
• Landscape and irrigation plans
• Wetland mitigation/restoration plans
• Environmental permitting
• Site development permitting

Construction Services:

• Contract administration
• Client representation
• Construction layout
• Record drawings