Background
A confidential hyperscale and colocation data center operator designs, builds, and manages facilities across the United States for High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. They are currently constructing a Tier 3, 400 MW AI-ready campus in the north-central U.S., a region that experiences one of the nation’s most extreme temperature ranges (−60 °F to +121 °F) with frequent rapid swings exceeding 50 °F in a single day, heavy snow, and challenging soil conditions. Tier 3 standards require 99.982% uptime, allowing less than 96 minutes of annual downtime, making a robust fuel oil supply critical for uninterrupted generator operation.
Challenge
The massive scale and tight schedules of the campus construction required a fuel oil piping system that could be installed quickly, commissioned reliably, and adapted to onsite changes from original engineering drawings without delaying the overall project. Extreme environmental conditions, including sub-zero cold, snow accumulation, and wide thermal fluctuations, necessitated materials with superior elasticity, corrosion resistance, and performance to prevent failures in dynamic ground conditions. Compliance with UL 971 certifications was mandatory to ensure zero hydrocarbon permeation, fuel compatibility, and leak-proof integrity for high-flow diesel supply, return, venting, fill, and transfer lines in this critical power application.
Implementation
The data center operator’s engineering & EPC firm specified Franklin Electric’s UPP® Large Bore Pipework System due to its 40+ year history of reliability in critical fueling facilities across the globe. UPP® 3" & 4" double wall electrofusion pipework, secondary contained fittings, tees, elbows, and containment entry boots were installed for a complete UL 971 listed system. The fuel oil system included supply, return, vent, fill, polish, and transfer lines connecting four redundant sets of eight 50,000-gallon underground storage tanks and a polishing recirculation system to feed the backup generators.
On-Site Installation & Support
Since this marked the installation contractor’s first experience with UPP® electrofusion welded pipework, Franklin Electric deployed a regional Field Service Engineer team to provide comprehensive onsite support. This hands-on assistance ensured a smooth, confident installation process and included:
Conducting pre-installation site reviews and coordinated delivery logistics with the contractor and distributor.
Verifying crew training on electrofusion welding techniques.
Confirming welder calibration, power supply adequacy, and tool readiness.
Delivering real-time guidance as crews adapted field routing while maintaining the original hydraulic design.
The benefits of the UPP® Large Bore Pipework System:
Rapid Pipework Installation
Lightweight UPP® system components and the fast, repeatable electrofusion welding process that can be completed in any weather condition keeps install moving and avoids costly delays.
Superior Strength & Flexibility
The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe construction provides superior durability and flexibility. UPP® pipe is able to absorb ground movement, ensuring structural integrity in dynamic underground environments.
Accelerated Commissioning
UPP® fittings allow primary lines to be fully welded and pressure-tested first (identifying and fixing any issues), eliminating costly secondary removal for repairs and speeding overall commissioning.
Leak-Proof Installation
The UPP® system uses a clean, single-button press electrofusion welding process that creates seamless, leak-proof connections across pipes, fittings, and entry boots, regardless of diameter or ambient conditions.
Conclusion
By selecting Franklin Electric’s UPP® Large Bore Pipework System, this hyperscale operator gained a flexible, field-proven, fully UL 971 compliant fuel delivery backbone capable of withstanding the harshest climate while meeting the industry’s most demanding uptime and commissioning requirements. Compared to coated carbon steel or fiberglass, UPP® reduced material weight by 75%, eliminated future corrosion maintenance, maximized flow with ultra-smooth liners, and delivered a zero-maintenance service life.
