D01.02 Dialogue with Data Centre Developers and Operators – Low Frequency Noise During Data Centre Planning Approval
Dialogue Reference: D01.02 — Data Centre Developers and Operators
Dialogue Purpose
This dialogue documents MDCO’s formal engagement with Data Centre Developers and Operators to seek clarification and views regarding current planning and design considerations for low frequency noise (LFN) associated with data centre developments.
MDCO’s Current Understanding
- Publicly available legislation and guidance reviewed by MDCO did not identify any specific published requirement addressing LFN assessment for data centre developments during the planning approval process.
- Conventional environmental noise assessment generally relies on overall A-weighted sound levels (dBA), while international acoustic practices indicate that frequency-based analysis may provide additional information where significant low-frequency sources exist.
- Based on publicly available information and international industry practices, MDCO understands that potential acoustic considerations may be evaluated alongside site selection, engineering design, equipment selection, environmental assessment and regulatory requirements during the planning stage.
- MDCO understands that predicting operational acoustic conditions during the planning stage involves uncertainties, including equipment selection, evolving client requirements and final operational configurations. Nevertheless, planning-stage assessment may provide useful information for identifying potential issues before construction begins.
- The rapid growth of data centre developments and advances in acoustic research may require continued consideration of how planning practices and technical guidance address potential LFN-related issues.
- Based on publicly available information reviewed by MDCO, MDCO has not identified a clearly established or consistently documented industry assessment framework specifying the requirements, timing, methodology and criteria for considering or assessing low-frequency noise during the various stages of data centre development.
Additional Findings from Dialogue Responses
No additional information has been obtained from the dialogue partners as of the publication date.
This section will be updated progressively as dialogue responses are received and published.
Dialogue Records
The following dialogue records form part of this ongoing engagement:
→D01.02.03 MDCO Dialogue Instrument with AirTrunk on Planning Considerations for Low Frequency Noise
→D01.02.04 MDCO Dialogue Instrument with NTT Global Data Centers on Planning Considerations for Low Frequency Noise
→D01.02.05 MDCO Dialogue Instrument with AIMS Data Centre on Planning Considerations for Low Frequency Noise
→D01.02.06 MDCO Dialogue Instrument with TM Nxera on Planning Considerations for Low Frequency Noise
→D01.02.07 MDCO Dialogue Instrument with Google on Planning Considerations for Low Frequency Noise
→D01.02.08 MDCO Dialogue Instrument with NEXTDC on Planning Considerations for Low Frequency Noise
(Additional dialogue records will be added progressively as they are published.)
MDCO’s Consolidated Understanding
As of the publication date, MDCO’s review indicates that publicly available legislation and guidance do not identify a specific published requirement for assessing low-frequency noise (LFN) from data centre developments during the planning approval process. MDCO further understands that acoustic considerations may arise at various stages of data centre development, including site selection, engineering and equipment design, environmental assessment and regulatory review, but has not identified a clearly established or consistently documented industry assessment framework specifying the requirements, timing, methodology and criteria for LFN assessment. As the data centre industry continues to expand, MDCO considers that continued dialogue with developers, operators and other stakeholders may help clarify current practices and inform future planning and technical guidance.
Citation
Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO). D01.02 Dialogue with Data Centre Developers and Operators – Low Frequency Noise During Data Centre Planning Approval. MDCO Dialogue Series.
MDCO Note
This article forms part of the Malaysia Data Centre Observatory (MDCO) Dialogue Series, which documents MDCO’s engagement with stakeholders to improve public understanding of data centre development through transparent, evidence-based and balanced dialogue.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the summaries and observations presented reflect MDCO’s current understanding based on publicly available information and should not be interpreted as representing the views or positions of the organisations concerned. Responses received from dialogue partners are reproduced or summarised separately.
This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, engineering, acoustic, environmental, medical or professional advice. MDCO does not advocate for or against any particular stakeholder, project, technology or regulatory position, but seeks to facilitate informed public discussion through transparent documentation and evidence-based analysis.