Building Control for Data Centres: Five Key Compliance Challenges Developers Should Consider
As Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing and digital services continue to reshape the economy, the UK is experiencing an unprecedented boom in data centre construction.
Over the last 12 months alone, more than 100 large-scale data centre projects have either been approved or entered development, with industry forecasts identifying around 171 new facilities planned across the UK. Combined with the country’s existing network of approximately 500 operational data centres, this wave of investment is expected to increase national capacity by almost 20% by 2030.
Much of this growth is centred around London and the South East, where major developments such as Equinix’s LD14 Data Centre in Slough and the continued expansion of the VIRTUS Slough Campus are helping meet increasing demand. At the same time, hyperscale developments are emerging across the country, including Microsoft’s facilities near Leeds, a proposed £1 billion, 600MW campus in East Havering Fen Lane, and new schemes in South Wales.
The sector has also received significant government backing. Data centres are now recognised as Critical National Infrastructure, while designated AI Growth Zones in locations including Teesside, Newcastle and Oxfordshire are encouraging further investment in the digital infrastructure that will underpin the UK’s future economy.
As projects become larger, taller and increasingly complex, so too do the Building Regulations challenges they present.
At Salus, we’ve worked on data centre developments for more than 15 years, supporting the successful delivery of over 50 projects of varying scales. During that time, we’ve seen first-hand how rapidly the sector has evolved. Today’s facilities are no longer simply highly serviced industrial buildings—they are sophisticated, mission-critical environments where fire safety, resilience, security and business continuity all influence the Building Control approach.
Here are five of the key compliance challenges developers and design teams should consider when planning a modern data centre.
1. Data centres are increasingly qualifying as tall buildings
Modern data centres are no longer single-storey industrial buildings.
As operators seek to maximise capacity, data halls are frequently stacked over multiple floors alongside critical support spaces and plant areas. Because cooling infrastructure demands generous floor-to-ceiling heights—often between five and six metres—a five-storey data centre can easily exceed 18 metres in height.
This introduces additional considerations around Building Regulations, fire strategy and overall building safety, making early design coordination essential.
2. Security requirements can conflict with Building Regulations
Security is fundamental to every data centre.
Access control, compartmentalisation and restricted circulation are all designed to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive client data. However, these measures can sometimes conflict with Building Regulations, particularly requirements relating to:
- Part B – Fire Safety
- Part M – Access to and Use of Buildings
Balancing robust security with safe means of escape, accessibility and operational functionality often requires close collaboration between the design team, fire engineers and Building Control.
3. Lithium-ion battery systems require careful fire strategy planning
Most modern data centres rely on battery energy storage to maintain uninterrupted operation.
Where lithium-ion batteries are specified, designers must carefully consider the potential for thermal runaway and its implications for fire safety, firefighter access and emergency response.
An appropriate strategy should address both prevention and mitigation, ensuring the building can continue to operate safely while protecting occupants and emergency services.
4. Fire protection often exceeds minimum Building Regulations
Unlike many commercial buildings, data centres are designed around business continuity.
Protecting client data, maintaining uptime and safeguarding critical assets often means fire safety measures go significantly beyond the minimum regulatory requirements.
This typically includes enhanced passive fire protection alongside sophisticated active fire suppression systems, with resilience forming a key part of the overall design philosophy.
Building Control plays an important role in ensuring these systems integrate effectively with statutory compliance requirements.
5. Extensive external plant creates additional compliance considerations
Cooling systems represent one of the defining features of modern data centre design.
Large quantities of mechanical plant are frequently located externally, with dedicated steel gantries constructed where roof space is insufficient. These multi-level structures can introduce additional Building Regulations considerations, particularly around whether they fall within the definition of building work under Regulation 3.
Understanding these requirements early can help avoid delays during construction and inspection.
Low occupancy doesn’t mean low complexity
Although data centres can be enormous buildings, they typically accommodate relatively few people during normal operation.
This lower occupancy can assist certain aspects of fire strategy under Part B, but it does not reduce the complexity of compliance. Every project requires careful consideration of fire safety, accessibility, structural coordination and specialist building systems.
Supporting the UK’s Growing Data Centre Sector
As the demand for digital infrastructure continues to accelerate, data centres will remain one of the UK’s most technically challenging building types.
Successful delivery depends on early collaboration between developers, design teams and Building Control professionals who understand the unique demands of these highly specialised facilities.
Whether advising on tall building requirements, fire strategy, battery safety or complex mechanical installations, early engagement can help projects progress more smoothly from design through to completion.