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Designing for Reliability: MEP Engineering Strategies for Financial Operations Centers

By Jordan Backer, PE Cooper Hill

June 30, 2025
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In the world of financial services, continuity is everything. That’s why when it comes to designing a financial operations center, the behind-the-scenes infrastructure—mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems—deserves just as much attention as the visible architecture.

These systems form the foundation of operational resilience, employee comfort, safety, and long-term energy efficiency. In this article, our banking design experts explore the critical MEP engineering considerations that support the round-the-clock performance required of modern operations centers.
SAFE Federal Credit Union Operations Center lobby
SAFE Federal Credit Union Operations Center lobby

1. Mechanical Engineering (HVAC)

Employee Comfort

A productive work environment begins with climate control. In spaces ranging from open call centers to private offices and conference rooms, thermal comfort directly impacts employee satisfaction and efficiency.

  • Zoned Controls: Thoughtful placement of thermostats and zoning by space type and exposure ensures consistent comfort throughout the facility.
  • Radiant Heating: Heat rises, especially in large rooms along exterior walls. While the thermostat may register a warm temperature, the air below it is typically cooler. In-floor radiant systems at these locations will help combat drafts and provide a balanced temperature from the ground up.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Healthy indoor air supports a healthy workforce. Proper ventilation and HVAC systems designed to meet fresh air intake standards are essential to maintaining IAQ and reducing airborne contaminants.

IT Cooling

Server rooms and IT spaces demand precision cooling systems. Separate, dedicated cooling—often with redundancy—helps maintain optimal conditions while minimizing strain on backup power systems.

Energy Efficiency

HVAC can account for nearly 30% of a building’s energy usage. Implementing energy-efficient strategies—like Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems managed by intelligent Building Management Systems (BMS)—can significantly lower operating costs and extend equipment lifespan.

2. Electrical Engineering

Power Supply and Backup

In financial environments, power interruptions are not an option.

Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS): Keeping customer information safe and accessible, as well as backed up in the event utility power is lost, can be one of the most difficult challenges in a financial operations center. A reliable UPS system is critical for protecting sensitive equipment and data in case of a power outage. UPS systems provide a constant stream of power so that equipment does not “see” any downtime, and a backup generator has time to fully start up before taking over responsibility of powering the building.

Backup Generators: In the event of a prolonged power outage, it’s important that the operations center has a robust generator system to provide backup power for both critical systems and non-essential systems. Data storage and their dedicated HVAC system, as well as security equipment, are all critical pieces of the building that should be prioritized to be on the generator. Items like lighting and air conditioning in the common areas would be considered non-essential, but an owner should consider adding these to the generator load if an operations center is to always be open to the public.

Energy Efficiency: In the context of operational centers, energy efficiency is paramount. Electricals systems should be designed to use efficient lighting (e.g., LED), occupancy sensors, and energy-saving appliances to reduce operational costs.

Lighting Design

Lighting should support employee performance while conserving energy.

LED Fixtures and Controls: Integrating occupancy and daylight sensors into the lighting design will help to reduce energy consumption. Intelligent lighting controls can also allow the building owner to develop a schedule for when lights are on or off, both for security purposes and highlighting a unique space within the building.

Task and Ambient Lighting: Balanced lighting reduces eye strain and supports productivity across various work zones, providing a healthy work environment for all employees.

Surge Protection

Protecting sensitive technology requires comprehensive surge protection—especially in server rooms and mission-critical zones—to mitigate risks from electrical spikes and lightning events. For larger projects and buildings, an electrical coordination study may be valuable to guarantee that all sensitive equipment is properly protected, while avoiding unwanted nuisance tripping.
Solar panels on rooftop Woman touching thermostat on wall Fort Financial Credit Union Headquarters Workstations
Solar panels on rooftop Woman touching thermostat on wall Fort Financial Credit Union Headquarters Workstations

3. Plumbing Engineering

Fire Suppression Systems
  • Sprinklers and Clean Agents: While code-compliant sprinkler systems should serve most areas, IT and data centers benefit from clean agent systems (e.g., FM-200 or Inergen) to extinguish fires without damaging electronic equipment.
  • Detection and Response: Integrated smoke detection and strategically located extinguishers support quick, localized fire suppression.
Leak Detection
  • Early Warning Systems: In high-risk areas like server rooms, leak detection systems help prevent water damage before it starts, especially where water-cooled IT systems are in use.

4. Building Management System (BMS)

A centralized Building Management System is vital for real-time monitoring and control of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure.

  • Energy Monitoring: Track usage patterns and identify opportunities for cost and energy savings.
  • Automated Alerts: Respond quickly to system anomalies with automated notifications, reducing downtime and maintaining building performance.

5. Security Systems Integration

Access Control and Surveillance
  • Physical Security: MEP systems need to integrate with security systems, including physical access controls (card readers, biometric scanners), surveillance cameras, and alarm systems, to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive areas.
  • CCTV Integration: Surveillance coverage of entry points, server rooms, and common areas should tie into the BMS and include redundant power supplies for uninterrupted security.

Final Thoughts

MEP engineering is more than a technical discipline—it’s the foundation of operational resilience in a financial operations center. At Design Collaborative, our team understands the unique demands of financial environments. From redundant power and data center cooling to lighting design and indoor comfort, our designs ensure uninterrupted service, optimized energy performance, and the protection of both assets and personnel. With the right MEP strategies in place, your operations center can run efficiently, securely, and continuously—exactly as it should.
SAFE Federal Credit Union Operations Center workstations
SAFE Federal Credit Union Operations Center workstations

If you’re planning a new financial operations center or evaluating the resilience of an existing facility, we’d love to help. Reach out to our team at Design Collaborative to start a conversation about how smart MEP engineering can support your goals for performance, efficiency, and peace of mind.

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