When it comes to making the most of airflow management improvements, it can be challenging to figure out where to start. There are so many different variables that can affect the airflow in a data center from the types of data racks to cable openings.
Fortunately, by following airflow management best practices, you can avoid IT equipment failures and other issues. Consider the following strategies to boost your data center’s airflow management for improved efficiency and productivity.
Change the cooling infrastructure
Data centers use a lot of electricity and require some serious cooling infrastructure to keep everything running. In fact, the power density of a data center is up to 100-times more than that of a large commercial office building. To help improve the airflow in your data center, consider changing the cooling infrastructure.
Reduce the number of operating cooling units to represent the necessary capacity and raise the temperature without exceeding your IT equipment intake-air-temperature maximum. Keep an eye on your cooling efficiency and make any necessary adjustments.
Block any open spaces
You want to be sure to close all open space underneath racks and in the vertical planes of IT equipment intakes. Any open spaces in your server racks and rows can cause the airflow balance to become skewed.
Seal underneath cabinets, between mounting rails, and in the sides of cabinets. Install rack grommets and blanking panels, too. Make sure there isn’t any gap between your cabinets. Hot and cold containment may be necessary if cabinet densities are high enough.
Manage your raised floors
The open spaces underneath your server racks and on the sides of cabinets aren’t the only spaces you need to manage. You want to make sure to keep an eye on the open area of the horizontal plane of your raised floor as well. This is because any openings in your raised floor can cause bypass airflow, which can skew the airflow balance in your data center.
For improved airflow management, manage the perforated tile placement on your raised flooring and seal cable openings with brushes and grommets. Inspect the perimeter walls beneath the raised floor for any partition penetrations or gaps. You’ll need fire-rated materials to effectively seal any partition penetrations.
If you’re still struggling with managing your data center’s airflow, AMCO Enclosures can help. AMCO Enclosures’ Titan DT Rack is a fully configurable rack that you can design to your exact requirement. To learn more about how the Titan DT and how to improve your data center’s airflow management, contact AMCO Enclosures today.