Zero-disruption delivery inside a live, secure university data centre

Queensland University of Technology engaged SHAPE to upgrade the power distribution and mechanical services infrastructure within its existing Kelvin Grove data centre, improving the facility’s capacity to meet growing research and operational demands. The project was delivered via lump sum over 36 weeks within a fully live, secure data centre environment, where any disruption to active critical infrastructure carried immediate consequences for university operations.

Before a single works package commenced, SHAPE established a structured change management programme aligned to the facility’s operational protocols. All construction activity was sequenced around live racks, active submains, and energised equipment, with strict access controls enforced throughout. Key scope elements included:

• Upgrade of HV/LV power distribution and electrical submains within the live data centre
• Replacement of mechanical cooling infrastructure, including chilled water services
• Installation and integration of UPS systems within constrained operational spaces
• VESDA and security systems coordinated around active data hall zones
• Full commissioning and load testing of all mechanical and electrical systems prior to energisation
• Daily programme coordination with QUT’s facilities management team to protect uptime across the 36-week construction period

All mechanical and electrical systems were comprehensively tested and commissioned before handover. QUT confirmed practical completion on time and defect free, reflecting a delivery approach built around the non-negotiable uptime obligations of a live, mission-critical environment.