[DATA CENTERS & VDC]

3D Laser Scanning for Data Center Construction & VDC

Q: What can milestone scanning capture?

Slab elevations before flooring and racks; structure and embeds; duct, pipe, cable tray and busway; electrical rooms and generator yards; containment, racks and white space layout; equipment pads and clearances; roof equipment and penetrations.

Q: What does milestone scanning cost?

Most projects run $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot per scan for a registered point cloud, with a $5,000 minimum; repeat milestones on the same site reduce mobilization. Models and reports are priced separately.

Data center schedules leave no room for rework: duct, cable tray, busway and equipment have to land where the coordination model says they will. Milestone laser scanning gives your VDC team field-verified conditions at each stage — slab, structure, MEP rough-in, white space — so installed work is checked against the model before the next trade covers it. We scan from Houston across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

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ABOUT SERVICE

[SCOPE OF SERVICE]

What do we scan on a data center project?

Milestone Scanning

•  Scans at agreed milestones: slab, structure, MEP rough-in and before close-in.
•  Every milestone registered to project control, so datasets overlay.
•  A dated record of installed work before it is covered.

Slab Elevations

•  Slab elevation heat maps from the point cloud.
•  High and low spots flagged before raised floor and racks go in.
•  Deviation from design elevation, available on request.

MEP & Clash Verification

• Installed duct, pipe, cable tray and busway compared to the coordination model.
• Conflicts found while they are still cheap to move.

White Space & Equipment Fit

• Clearances verified for racks, cooling units and containment.
• Equipment pads and anchor locations checked before the set.

Retrofits & Expansions

• Existing conditions for operating halls being expanded or re-powered.
• Non-contact capture with no downtime in live halls.

Turnover Record

• A registered point cloud archive for the owner's facility team.
• One dataset for future fit-outs and upgrades.

[BENEFITS]

Why do VDC teams scan at every milestone?

See Pricing

COST GUIDE

Catch it before close-in

Installed work is verified before ceilings, slabs and walls hide it.

Fewer field conflicts

Trades build against measured conditions, not the last revision of the model.

One visit per milestone

Each stage is captured in a single site visit, scheduled around trade work.

Complete coverage

Full 3D capture of the hall, not spot checks with a tape measure.

Shared baseline

The GC, MEP trades and owner work from the same registered point cloud.

Clear tolerance

Fraction-of-an-inch point clouds, with the instrument matched to the tolerance you specify.

[technology]

How does milestone scanning work?

Milestones, control and formats are agreed before the first scan, so every dataset lines up with the coordination model.

Capture

Tripod-based scanners for tight-tolerance areas; mobile capture for large halls where tolerance allows.

Register

Scans are registered and tied to project control, so each milestone overlays the last.

Compare

The point cloud is compared to the coordination model to flag installed work that is out of position.

Report

We deliver registered data and reports in the formats your VDC team uses.

Deliverables

Point clouds, heat maps and as-built models; deviation reports are available on request.

[DELIVERABLES]

Typical deliverables

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Registered point cloud (.RCP/.RCS, .E57, .LAS) with 360° panoramas

As-built 2D CAD (plans, sections, elevations, details)

Scan-to-BIM models (Revit/IFC) for structural, MEP, and architectural — coordinated through our modeling partners

Deviation/fit-up reports, available on request, for dimensional control and QA/QC

Point cloud archive for turnover, future fit-outs and upgrades

Point cloud of packaging-plant equipment captured with a 3D laser scanner

[USE CASES]

Where does scanning fit on a data center project?

Slab scans before raised floor and racks

MEP coordination and as-built verification before close-in

Milestone documentation for GC and owner progress records

Equipment fit-up and prefabrication validation

Retrofits and expansions of operating data halls — existing conditions without downtime

Site documentation — equipment yards, pads and clearances

3D point cloud of a packaging plant production line from laser scanning

[3D LASER SCANNING]

Field-verified data for data center builds across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma

Ideal for: hyperscale and colocation builds,
MEP and general contractors,
and owners' VDC and facility teams.

[about SERVICE]

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers for VDC managers, MEP contractors and owners' representatives.

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How often should a data center be scanned during construction?

It depends on the schedule, but most teams scan at the milestones where work gets covered: slab, structure, MEP rough-in and before ceilings close. We agree the milestones and survey control with your VDC team before the first scan, so every dataset overlays.

What can milestone scanning capture?

•  Slab elevations before flooring and racks
•  Structure and embeds
•  Duct, pipe, cable tray and busway
•  Electrical rooms and generator yards
•  Containment, racks and white space layout
•  Equipment pads and clearances
•  Roof equipment and penetrations

How accurate is the data?

Tripod-based scanners such as the Leica RTC360 are manufacturer-rated under 1/8 in at 33 ft; mobile (SLAM) capture typically runs about 1/4 to 3/4 in, tightened with survey control. Model tolerance is agreed to scope before mobilization and documented in the deliverable.

How fast do we get results?

Field capture at each milestone is usually one visit, scheduled around trade work. The registered point cloud follows within days, so conflicts are flagged before the next trade moves in
.

What deliverables do I receive?

•  Point clouds (E57, RCP, LAS, etc.)
•  2D drawings (plans, sections, elevations)
•  3D CAD or BIM models (Revit, AutoCAD, IFC, etc.)
•  Deviation reports, available on request, comparing construction vs. design

Do I need special software to view the scans?

No. We can provide files compatible with free viewers (Autodesk ReCap, CloudCompare, etc.), so you don’t need expensive software to review your project.

Can you scan an operating data hall?

Yes. Scanning is non-contact, quiet and eye-safe, so live halls stay in service. We follow your access, escort and change-control procedures.

How does it save me money?

•  Reduces costly change orders
•  Prevents design clashes before construction
•  Eliminates repeat site visits
•  Documents installed work before it is covered

What does milestone scanning cost?

Most projects run $0.25–$0.50 per square foot per scan for a registered point cloud, with a $5,000 minimum; repeat milestones on the same site reduce mobilization. Models and reports are priced separately.

Is laser scanning safe?

Yes. Terrestrial scanners use eye-safe, Class 1 lasers, making the process completely safe for people and equipment.

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