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Which of the following is not an example of redundancies for mission critical facilities?
a. A diesel generator;
b. Storage for potable water;
c. Storage for mechanical system make-up water; or
d. All of the above.

Michael Del Mastro
Architect
Michael Del Mastro, Architect
Albuquerque, NM
delmastromichael@q.com

James Elledge replies ...

A. Based upon the way the question is worded and the four possible answers, I would select “d. all of the above.” I would base my answer on the strategic use of the term redundancy.

According to the Uptime Institute’s White Paper entitled, Tier Classifications Define Site Infrastructure Performance, “The components beyond the number of capacity units required to support the computer equipment are referred to as redundant. If one unit of capacity is required to support the computer equipment, more than one unit of capacity is installed. Terms such as N+1 or N+2 are commonly applied.”

Using this definition, the other answers are not suitable. None are truly redundant.

The white paper referred to above is available from the Uptime Institute to registered users at http://uptimeinstitute.org/cgi-bin/admin2/admin.pl?admin=wp_form&id_field=9

Thanks for your question

Jim Elledge

Elledge, facility/office services manager for Dallas, TX-based Summit Alliance Companies, is the recipient of the Distinguished Author Award from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), is an IFMA Fellow, and is a member of TFM's Editorial Advisory Board. All questions have been submitted via the “Ask The Expert” portion of the magazine’s Web site. To pose a question, visit www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/fm_viewexpert.asp.

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