Cold-aisle containment key to data centre energy costs

17th April 2014

Mick Elliott

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By implementing cold-aisle containment – that is consistently separating the cold supply air from the hot exhaust air – the energy costs of data centres can be significantly reduced. Measurements in data centres have demonstrated reductions in energy costs of some 30% by using this technique. In response to this Pentair has standardised its aisle containment components to create a modular system that enables containment to be configured fully and simply.

By using modular off-the-shelf components, it is not only a simple matter to adapt the design to specific customer requirements, but price advantages are obtained, too, compared to other approaches. Additional advantages include minimal planning outlay, short supply times of 10 working days and straightforward options for future expansion. Off-the-shelf components, such as containment doors, aisle covers, baffles, halogen-free gasketing are available and these are matched to the configurable Schroff Varistar server and network cabinets. All components can be combined to create an individual containment system.

Containment doors are available in four standard versions to suit different customer needs and access control regimes. Aisle covers in tough safety glass ensure an air-tight, robust aisle closure overhead. A wide and robust frame in steel plate offers space for an extinguisher injector or smoke sniffer systems. Baffle kits, available in a wide range of sizes for Schroff server and network cabinets, ensure that air is guided correctly to the front-to-back-cooled IT components.

To allow integration of side-to-side-cooled IT equipment into the containment system, Pentair has created a standard air guide kit that can also be retrofitted to a cabinet already installed in a row. The standard baffles are available for 19" planes recessed to different depths and with additional cable management options. This ensures good use of space within the cabinets while also providing the required cabling space and cable routing options. The Schroff universal profiles and other off-the-shelf components of this modular system also allow integration of OEM cabinets without problems.