What Environmental Parameters Should Data Centres Monitor for ESG Records Malaysia?
What Environmental Parameters Should Data Centres Monitor for ESG Records Malaysia?
Data centres use significant electrical power and cooling resources.
When a facility begins collecting ESG and environmental data, it may need more than the total monthly electricity bill.
Useful measurements may include:
Temperature
Relative humidity
Airflow
Differential pressure
Electrical load
Thermal patterns
Noise
Water usage
Indoor air quality
However, installing one temperature sensor near the entrance does not represent conditions across an entire server room.
So, where should measurements be taken and what should be recorded?
1. Temperature at Server Rack Inlets
Temperature should be measured where cooling air enters the server equipment, not only at the room thermostat.
Possible locations include:
Lower rack inlet
Middle rack inlet
Upper rack inlet
Front of selected racks
High-density equipment areas
Reported hot spots
Compare:
Lower Rack Inlet → Temperature
Middle Rack Inlet → Temperature
Upper Rack Inlet → Temperature
Temperature may differ according to rack height, airflow and equipment load.
Do not assume that one reading represents the complete rack.
2. Temperature at Rack Exhaust Areas
Warm air exits from the rear of server racks.
Measuring exhaust temperature can help facilities teams compare:
Different racks
Different equipment loads
Cooling performance
Before-and-after airflow changes
For example:
Rack Front → Inlet temperature
Rack Rear → Exhaust temperature
The difference provides useful operating information.
However, it does not by itself calculate the rack’s total heat load or energy efficiency.
3. Temperature at Different Heights
Hot air may accumulate in higher areas if airflow management is poor.
Measure at:
Lower level
Middle level
Upper level
This is especially useful when investigating:
Upper servers running warmer
Uneven cooling
Hot-air recirculation
Incomplete containment
Obstructed airflow
Use the same measurement positions during future inspections.
4. Relative Humidity
Relative humidity should be monitored together with temperature.
Possible measurement points include:
Cold aisle
Hot aisle
Equipment room
Electrical room
UPS room
Battery area
External air intake, where relevant
Record:
Temperature
Relative humidity
Location
Time
Cooling condition
Equipment load
A humidity reading without temperature and location information may be difficult to interpret.
5. Spot Checks vs Continuous Temperature Monitoring
A handheld temperature and humidity meter is useful for:
Walk-around inspections
Comparing several racks
Checking reported hot spots
Verifying different room areas
Troubleshooting
A data logger or fixed monitoring system is more suitable when:
Overnight records are needed
Conditions change with IT load
Alarm notifications are required
Several critical points need continuous records
Historical trends are required
The difference is:
Handheld Meter → Current conditions at multiple locations
Data Logger or Fixed Sensor → Conditions over time at selected locations
Both approaches may be useful in the same facility.
6. Airflow
Airflow measurements can help facilities teams investigate whether cooling air reaches the intended areas.
Possible points include:
Raised-floor vents
Supply-air outlets
Cold aisles
Return-air paths
Door openings
Containment gaps
Uneven airflow may be associated with:
Blocked vents
Incorrect floor-tile arrangement
Cable openings
Equipment placement
Fan condition
Containment problems
Changing server load
An airflow reading does not automatically identify the cause.
Record the vent or outlet position and operating condition.
7. Differential Pressure
Differential pressure measurements may support investigation of pressure differences between:
Cold and hot aisles
Contained and uncontained zones
Server room and adjacent room
Raised-floor space and room
Filter upstream and downstream areas
A suitable differential pressure meter is required for small pressure differences.
Before selecting an instrument, confirm:
Expected pressure range
Pressure unit
Number of measurement points
Tubing requirement
Logging requirement
Whether permanent monitoring is required
A general pressure gauge may not be suitable for low differential-pressure applications.
8. Thermal Imaging
A thermal imaging camera can help locate unusual temperature patterns across:
Server racks
Electrical panels
Cable connections
UPS systems
Power distribution equipment
Cooling equipment
Mechanical components
Possible comparisons include:
Rack A → Thermal pattern
Rack B → Thermal pattern
Electrical Connection A → Compare similar connections
Before Airflow Adjustment → Record
After Airflow Adjustment → Record again
Thermal imaging is useful for locating areas requiring further investigation.
It does not replace contact temperature measurement, electrical testing or manufacturer diagnostics when these are required.
9. Electrical Load
Electricity is a major part of data-centre environmental performance.
Useful records may include:
Total electricity consumption
IT equipment load
Cooling-system load
UPS load
Generator fuel
Electrical load by distribution area
Operating hours
Peak-demand periods
Portable electrical instruments may support spot checks and troubleshooting.
Depending on the application, these may include:
Clamp meters
Power meters
Power-quality analysers
Thermal imaging cameras
A clamp meter does not automatically calculate total data-centre energy efficiency.
More complete electrical and operational data may be required.
10. UPS and Battery Areas
UPS and battery areas may require monitoring of:
Temperature
Relative humidity
Electrical condition
Thermal patterns
Ventilation
Specific gas hazards, depending on battery technology and room design
Do not assume that every battery room has the same monitoring requirement.
Confirm:
Battery type
Ventilation arrangement
Manufacturer recommendations
Site risk assessment
Required gas or environmental parameters
If gas monitoring is required, select a detector designed for the identified target gas.
11. Generator Areas
Backup generators may require records relating to:
Fuel consumption
Operating hours
Test runs
Load condition
Exhaust or room conditions
Noise
Temperature
Maintenance
For ESG activity data, record the fuel type and quantity.
For environmental inspection, possible equipment may include:
Sound level meter
Thermal imaging camera
Infrared thermometer
Gas detector for identified hazards
Electrical measuring equipment
Follow the facility’s safety procedures during generator inspection.
12. Noise Monitoring
Data-centre equipment can produce continuous noise from:
Cooling fans
HVAC systems
Generators
Pumps
Chillers
Air-handling units
Server equipment
Possible measurement areas include:
Server rooms
Mechanical rooms
Generator areas
Workstations
Facility boundaries
Maintenance areas
A portable sound level meter can support spot checks and equipment comparison.
Formal workplace or environmental noise assessment may require a defined method and competent personnel.
13. Water Usage
Data centres using water-dependent cooling systems may need to record:
Monthly water consumption
Cooling-system water
Makeup water
Water-treatment activity
Leakage
Maintenance discharge
Operating condition
Where water quality affects the cooling system, relevant parameters may include:
pH
Conductivity
TDS
Temperature
Other system-specific parameters
Follow the cooling-system or water-treatment specialist’s requirements.
Do not select water-quality parameters without understanding the system.
14. Indoor Air Quality
General indoor air-quality monitoring may be relevant to occupied offices, control rooms and maintenance areas.
Possible parameters include:
CO₂
PM2.5
TVOC
Temperature
Relative humidity
These parameters are different from equipment-room thermal management.
An office air-quality monitor should not replace rack-level temperature or airflow measurements.
Use each instrument for its intended purpose.
A Simple Data-Centre Inspection Route
A portable monitoring route may include:
Point 1 – Room Entrance
↓
Point 2 – Cold Aisle A
↓
Point 3 – Upper Rack Inlet
↓
Point 4 – Lower Rack Inlet
↓
Point 5 – Hot Aisle
↓
Point 6 – Reported Hot Spot
↓
Point 7 – Electrical Distribution Area
↓
Point 8 – UPS Room
↓
Point 9 – Cooling Equipment Area
↓
Point 10 – Generator Area
Only trained and authorised personnel should enter restricted or hazardous areas.
Create a Data-Centre Environmental Record
Record:
Date
Time
Location
Rack or equipment ID
Temperature
Relative humidity
Airflow or pressure, where relevant
Electrical load condition
Instrument model
Observation
Corrective action
For example:
Location Parameter Operating Condition Observation
Cold Aisle A Temperature and RH Normal IT load Reference location
Rack 10 Upper Inlet Temperature Normal operation Compare with lower inlet
Hot Aisle B Temperature Normal operation Check exhaust condition
Raised-Floor Vent Airflow Cooling operating Compare similar vents
Electrical Panel Thermal pattern Normal load Further electrical check if abnormal
UPS Room Temperature and RH Normal operation Review trend over time
Use the same location names for repeat inspections.
What If a Hot Spot Is Found?
If a measurement shows an unexpected hot area, check:
Is the reading repeatable?
Is the sensor position correct?
Did IT load change?
Is airflow obstructed?
Are blanking panels missing?
Is hot air recirculating?
Is the cooling equipment operating normally?
Is a door or containment section open?
Is the temperature difference limited to one rack?
Record the condition before making changes.
After corrective action, repeat the measurement at the same location.
Portable Instruments or Fixed Monitoring?
Portable instruments are suitable for:
Inspection routes
Troubleshooting
Comparing racks
Checking suspected hot spots
Verifying fixed-sensor readings
Initial site assessment
Fixed monitoring is suitable for:
Continuous environmental records
Alarm notifications
Critical rack monitoring
Remote access
Historical trends
Multiple permanent measurement points
A practical approach may use both.
Fixed sensors monitor critical locations continuously, while portable instruments support investigation and verification.
How Does Data-Centre Monitoring Support ESG?
Environmental and operational measurements may support:
Energy-efficiency investigation
Cooling optimisation
Equipment-reliability improvement
Preventive maintenance
Water-management records
Workplace-condition monitoring
Verification of corrective actions
Measurement data should be connected to action.
For example:
Upper Rack Temperature Increased → Airflow investigated
Electrical Hot Spot Found → Electrical inspection arranged
Cooling Water Use Increased → System and leakage records reviewed
Generator Fuel Increased → Operating history checked
Data-Centre Environmental Monitoring Equipment Malaysia
MTM Precision supplies portable measuring instruments for data-centre facilities and maintenance teams.
Relevant categories include:
Temperature and humidity meters
Environmental data loggers
Airflow meters
Differential pressure meters
Thermal imaging cameras
Sound level meters
Electrical testing instruments
Air-quality monitors
Water-quality meters
Gas detectors for identified hazards
Before selecting equipment, provide the parameter, expected range, measurement location, logging requirement and whether portable or continuous monitoring is required.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
Showroom & Service Centre: No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: 03-8080 7172
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
Contact MTM Precision for suitable data-centre environmental monitoring and ESG measurement equipment in Malaysia.
04 Oct 2026
