Cedar Rapids Data Center

Defending Data: How F.E. Moran Engineered Total Fire Protection for a 300,000 Sq. Ft. Data Center in Cedar Rapids, IA

In a world where milliseconds count and data is more valuable than gold, data centers demand nothing short of flawless protection. For one of the Midwest’s most mission-critical facilities, that meant one thing: F.E. Moran.

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This Cedar Rapids, Iowa data center—spanning nearly 300,000 square feet—houses the digital backbone of businesses, healthcare systems, financial networks, and essential cloud infrastructure. A single misstep in fire protection could mean irreversible loss.

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Over the course of 12 months, F.E. Moran designed and installed a turnkey automatic sprinkler protection system tailored to the facility’s high-stakes environment. Here’s how we made it happen—and why it matters.

Understanding the Challenge: Mission-Critical Demands

Data centers are unforgiving environments when it comes to risk. The stakes include:

• Sensitive equipment that can’t tolerate water damage
• Zero downtime tolerance
• Highly controlled HVAC and mechanical environments
• Complex, high-value infrastructure

In Cedar Rapids, our client needed a partner with proven experience, deep technical expertise, and the ability to navigate intense performance requirements under a tight schedule.

Scope of Work: Protection That Performs on Every Level

F.E. Moran’s fire protection design was both robust and precise:

• 1 Pump House – The backbone of hydraulic fire protection, designed for redundancy and flow assurance.
• 1 Water Storage Tank – Onsite water reserve to ensure pressure and supply reliability in any emergency.
• 1 Wet Pipe Sprinkler System – Traditional wet system for areas with ambient temperatures above freezing.
• 8 Preaction Systems – Designed for server and electrical spaces where early detection and dry piping are critical.
• 3,000+ Sprinkler Heads – Precision-placed for maximum coverage and rapid response.

These systems weren’t just installed—they were engineered to integrate seamlessly into the facility’s operations, minimizing risk and ensuring that every square foot of this data fortress was secured.

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The Result: A Facility Secured. A Client Empowered.

From day one, our team committed to more than code compliance. We committed to confidence.

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We delivered a system that meets the highest performance standards while honoring the client’s operational priorities: uptime, continuity, and total peace of mind.

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“F.E. Moran didn’t just check the boxes. They anticipated what could go wrong and built a system that made us feel protected—because we are.”
‍— Client Representative, Data Center Operations

Why F.E. Moran?

This isn’t just about fire sprinklers. It’s about protecting the infrastructure that powers the world—and doing it with integrity, precision, and a deep sense of responsibility.

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F.E. Moran has been trusted for decades to take on the most vital projects. Why? Because we:

• Do what we say we’ll do
• Deliver with grit, craftsmanship, and follow-through
• Stand behind every job—long after it’s done

Explore Our Data Center Expertise

🔗 Learn more about our Data Center solutions

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Want to see how F.E. Moran can secure your next critical infrastructure build?

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Let’s talk. Contact Us