"Generators are placed on the top floor to simplify the exhaust path, which must terminate at the roof." Thank you. "Pumps are placed next to the fuel because

"Generators are placed on the top floor to simplify the exhaust path, which must terminate at the roof." Thank you. "Pumps are placed next to the fuel because pumping liquid over any significant vertical distance requires the pump to "push" rather than "pull". The fuel is placed in the basement because nobody wants to sit next to a tank full of diesel." The proper design would seem to have two pumping stages. One from basement to 3rd floor, the other from 3rd floor to 17th floor. If fire codes are such that one can't safely store 24 - 72 hours of fuel above flood level, don't advertise that your data center has reliable emergency power backup.