As data-centric technology like generative AI gains a significant foothold, data centers must meet increasing demand, and their reliance on efficient and reliable cooling systems intensifies. Piping systems are pivotal in maintaining optimal operating conditions, where even slight failures can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Data centers need systems free of contaminants and breaches and the ability to handle escalating heat loads — so they turned to Viega.

Relentless Growth, Unyielding Quality

The rapid growth of data centers is closely tied to trends in advanced manufacturing. As data- driven technology continues to expand and become more prevalent, the demand for localized, high-capacity data processing has surged. Josh Kidwell, an industrial specification engineer with Viega, notes, “It is an area of exponential growth in the U.S. It’s beginning to feel like you can’t purchase a new refrigerator without it being connected to the internet.”

The evolution of data centers demands innovative approaches to cooling and piping systems, where reliability, efficiency and adaptability are critical. Viega’s press technology emerges as a leader in this space, offering superior alternatives to traditional methods. Its benefits — from faster installations and consistent results to minimized contaminants and proven quality — underscore its role in shaping the future of data center infrastructure.

Viega’s alignment with advanced manufacturing priorities ensures that products meet the evolving needs of these facilities. With over 2,500 pre-approved applications and expertise spanning various industries, Viega offers unparalleled value to engineers and contractors seeking reliable and efficient solutions.

Specification Engineers in Data Centers

Viega’s advanced press technology offers innovative solutions for data center cooling systems, addressing the critical need for robust and efficient piping installations. Specification engineers play a crucial role in developing and maintaining modern data centers. This includes working closely with consulting engineering firms to keep specifications up-to-date and identifying new applications for press products outside of traditional water and compressed air systems.

Spec engineers are also vital to identifying time- and labor-saving solutions. Kidwell explains, “Press technology helps compress construction schedules and offset trade work deficits due to a declining skilled labor workforce.” With a projection from the American Welding Society estimating the need for 330,000 additional welders by 2028, solutions like press fittings provide a timely alternative that guarantees efficiency and consistency.

Applications of Press Technology

The data center industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by increasing server heat loads paired with demand for more uptime annually. Traditionally reliant on air cooling, the industry is shifting toward advanced cooling solutions such as direct to chip cooling and immersion cooling. These methods leverage dielectric coolants to manage the heat generated by modern CPUs, GPUs and emerging quantum servers.

Dielectric coolants, which are non-conductive fluids, represent a revolutionary shift in cooling technology. Direct to chip cooling involves attaching liquid-cooled cold plates directly to the processors, drawing heat away. In contrast, immersion cooling submerges entire motherboards in a dielectric fluid, ensuring even heat distribution and reducing thermal resistance. These advancements cater to the growing demand for more powerful and efficient servers while mitigating overheating risks.

Press technology is particularly advantageous in these settings, where it can be used in both gray spaces (infrastructure zones) and white spaces (areas housing sensitive electronic equipment). Unlike traditional methods that risk the introduction of contaminants into cooling systems, press fittings eliminate potential debris such as thread tape and pipe dope, ensuring a cleaner and more efficient system. Kidwell adds, “Introducing press into a system eliminates all of that debris component.”

Moreover, the simplicity and precision of press technology significantly reduce installation time, minimizing downtime in critical areas. This is especially valuable in white spaces, where contaminants or construction-related delays can directly impact the operational integrity of sensitive equipment. The repeatability of press connections ensures consistent performance across installations, making it a preferred choice for both new builds and retrofits. As redundancy in systems increases, designers and installers can leverage Viega’s press fittings across multiple material types for more applications even including diesel fuel for backup generators.

Instilling Confidence

When constructing cooling systems, key concerns include potential leaks in white spaces and the introduction of contaminants and debris to these systems. Traditional pipe-joining methods like welding have long been the approach to building and maintaining these systems, and key decision-makers may be hesitant to adopt advanced methods like press technology.

This hesitation is often rooted in familiarity with traditional methods and a lack of awareness about the thorough testing and certifications that back press technology.

However, the benefits of press technology, combined with extensive third-party testing and certifications, address these hesitations. Viega’s products are rigorously tested, meeting ASTM F3226 and ISO 9001 standards. They are also proven through seismic testing, including performance on shake tables simulating a Richter scale 9 earthquake. These certifications underscore the reliability of press fittings, making them a trustworthy choice even in the most critical applications. Additionally, these third-party approvals provide an assurance of quality that is unmatched in the industry, fostering greater confidence among engineers and facility managers. This is especially important as more high-tier data centers are built requiring exceptional uptime. Currently, Tier 1 data centers allow for up to 29 hours of downtime annually while Tier 3 aims to have less than 2 hours annually.

Press fittings also eliminate the variability seen in traditional methods, providing repeatable, precise connections maximizing productivity for all installers, minimizing the risk of leaks, and ensuring system integrity.

Additionally, press technology is more beneficial than ever with the shift from air cooling to liquid cooling methods. As cooling systems evolve to accommodate dielectric coolants, the need for a clean, reliable and efficient installation method becomes critical. Press technology meets these requirements by eliminating contaminants, which not only enhances the reliability of the cooling systems but also extends their operational lifespan by reducing maintenance needs and downtime.

Furthermore, the shift toward modular and prefabricated data centers amplifies the advantages of press fittings. These facilities are often transported to their final locations after assembly, exposing them to potential damage during transit. Press fittings’ proven durability against vibrations and other mechanical stresses ensures these systems remain intact and operational upon arrival.

Undeniable Benefits

For high-demand environments like data centers, the benefits of press technology cannot be overstated.

1. Efficiency: Press fittings significantly reduce installation time compared to traditional methods, with a 90% time saving compared to welding and 60% compared to threading, grooving and sweating.

2. Repeatability: Unlike welding which takes years to master, yielding variable results, press technology ensures consistent performance with a compressed timeline to mastery.

3. Minimized Contaminants: Press fittings contribute to cleaner systems and reduce maintenance requirements.

4. Enhanced Stability: Unlike welded or threaded fittings, press connections withstand vibrations, ensuring system integrity.

As data centers continue to advance, Viega’s commitment to innovation and collaboration ensures that its solutions remain at the forefront of the industry, addressing both current and emerging challenges with precision and expertise.