Raised Floor Airflow Uniformity

A raised floor data centre with perforated tiles needs to ensure airflow uniformity. This is because the maximum equipment power density (for example in the power rack) that is feasible in a typical raised-floor data centre is limited by perforated tile airflow.

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The data centre designer needs to estimate the magnitude of variations in perforated tile airflow prior to construction or renovation.

Design considerations for the raised floor

When the data centre cooling system is being designed, the designer will make a simple estimate of mean airflow per perforated tile. This is normally based on the number of CRAC’s and number of perforated tiles, and perhaps a leakage airflow estimate.

However, in practice, many perforated tiles may deliver substantially more or less than the mean, resulting in, at best, inefficiencies and, at worst, equipment failure due to inadequate cooling.

Perforated tile type and the presence of plenum obstructions have the greatest potential influence on airflow uniformity. There are a number of factors that can improve uniformity such as: using more restrictive (e.g. 25%- open) perforated tiles, minimizing obstructions and leakage airflow, and using deeper plenums.

Factors which have only a modest effect on uniformity include: plenum depth, the raised floor plan and airflow leakage.

Fieldmans Access Floors Ltd has two decades of experience installing raised floors that achieve airflow uniformity. For more information, please call 0208 462 7100 or email Enquiries@Fieldmans.com.