A Guide to Installing Raised Floors in Data Centres

With all the wiring that is involved in running a data centre, you should consider installing raised floor, if only for safety purposes. And while considering of installing raised floors, you should keep in mind pertinent factors such as airflow, leakage, and structural strength.

Herein are some of the most important tips to keep in mind.

#1. Keep In Mind The Floor Rating

The load rating of the prospective floor is an important aspect to consider. The installed raised floor should be capable of withstanding the weight of the equipment that your data centre will house. In this regard, you should look for a floor with a rating that is above the weight of the equipment your data centre will house.

For instance, the raised floor of a data centre with servers and cabinets will need to be strong enough to withstand all that weight. So if your servers or cabinet weigh about 2,500, your safe bet should be to installed floors rated at about 3,000 pounds.

#2. Match Your Floor Needs with An Appropriate Floor Type And Panel

Another aspect you always need to have in mind is the variety of floor panels on the market. For instance, raised floors of yesteryears were made of hollow steel, wood, or composite wood. These materials made the floor very susceptible to failure and therefore, the floors would not last very long. Modern floors are made of cast aluminum or steel that is filled with concrete, making them more stable and strong. You should shop around and settle for befitting raised floor panels.

#3. Ensure That The Floor Is Static Dissipative

Another quality to ensure your raised floor has is the static dissipative quality. Floor panels are of two types; static dissipative and the conductive flooring. The former type of panels is designed to reduce the build of any static electricity which may wreak havoc on your equipment. If your data centre houses a vast majority of your computing equipment, you should ensure that the surface of the floor dissipates static electricity.

#4. Install Panels with A Higher Rating Along Your Delivery Path

This will reduce the risk of floor failure along your delivery lines. Additionally, doing so can save you cost installing the raised floor as you only install strong panels where they are needed.

#5. Floor Ventilation

Finally, you need to consider the ventilation requirements of your data centre floor when considering access flooring. In this regard, look for floor panels with a tight fitting to reduce air leakages from the floor. Square shaped panel are particularly efficient in creating a air tight seal.