Required Height of Raised Floor Systems for Data Center, Server Room, Computer Room

When designing standardized, scalable modular spaces for IT and communications equipment such as data center, server room, or computer room, more consideration should be given to racking location and power supply, communications, and air cooling. Standard models based on head-to-tail, rack-relative cooling mechanisms have been developed by TIA942, ASHRAE, and other authoritative standards.

The cold air is transported to the front end of the rack by the front elevated raised floor vents, and the air-cooled by the air conditioning mechanism is transported through the vents to the high pressure forced cooling space formed by the elevated raised floor. The air duct is thus called a cold air duct, and the cold air is taken out from the equipment rack via the cold air of the IT equipment itself and discharged backward to form a hot air duct, and the hot air rises back to the air conditioner indoor unit through the hot air duct. Refrigerate and complete the cycle. The two opposite front ends of the rack are two whole floor tiles. When considering the depth of the rack and the necessary passage clearance space, we see that the minimum ideal spacing for this process cycle is 8 tiles.

Related Read: How Does Raised Floor Work Effectively For Underfloor Air Distribution Ufad In Data Centers

Standard open air vents of not less than 25% provide cold air to the rack without additional cooling, typically only 2 kW or about 5 normal servers per rack.

Larger tile vents, fan-assisted tile vents, and fan-assisted racks can be used as a means of updating to provide more air to the rack.

The raised floor is constructed of 600x600mm anti-static floor tiles to the information room with a height of at least 300mm.

When used as an exhaust space, refer to VDI 2054 for the "floor room air conditioning system" standard for floor height.

Required Raised Floor Height for Data Center

• Area: 200-500 square meters - About 400 mm

• Area: 500-1000 square meters - About 700 mm

• Area: 1000-2000 square meters - About 800 mm

• Area: >2000 square meters - >800 mm

Raised height guidelines for other data center raised floor:

• 450-600 mm, IBM

• Minimum 450 mm, according to SUN600 as the "ideal" value

• 300 to 600 mm, BS EN 12825

• Minimum 300mm, TIA mm 569

According to MOB PF2 PS and BS EN 12825, this means that a "heavy-duty" or "aggravate heavy-duty" floor level is specified.

The high-pressure forced ventilation zone formed under the raised floor should be clean, sealed, dust-free and equipped with a vapor screen. The closed air permeability requires a pressure of at least 50 m 3 m 3 /h/m 2.

The reason for sealing the Underfloor Air Distribution System is:

The cooling air conditioning can penetrate from the poorly coated tiles and devices, resulting in:

- Consume more power to replenish the air

- Unable to transport the required flow of cold air to the floor vents

- Excessive air pressure changes in the floor result in the inability to transport cold air to the vents

The penetration of unsealed devices in high-pressure ventilation areas (cables/pipes, etc.) constitutes a fire hazard and can cause fire spread inside and outside the machine room (see Building Part B). Gas fire-extinguishing systems extinguish the fire by reducing oxygen levels and insulating air.

According to BS ISO 14520 PI: 2000 (E) “Gas Fire Extinguishing System” physical characteristics and overall system design requirements are tested every 12 months. According to TIA 942 ‘, Telecommunication Infrastructure Standards for Data Centers and inhalation (warning) smoke detector should be placed in the high-pressure ventilation area. If a fire-extinguishing system is required in an underground space, the means of cleaning the media system should be considered to complete the protection (TIA 942). The space under the floor should not be used for other purposes except for ventilation and wiring.

Rated cables must be routed according to local fire and jurisdiction to avoid obstructing airflow, and redundant cables must be removed (State Code 2002).

It is also important to pay attention to the construction of slopes so that people can use heavy equipment to reach the raised floor from the normal floor height.