Data Centre Airflow Management Tips

Data Centre airflow management plays a crucial role in regulating temperatures within and around IT equipment to optimize efficiency. Insufficient airflow can result in the accumulation of warm air in specific areas or hinder the distribution of cool air to overheated components.

This lack of proper air circulation puts excessive strain on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, leading to unnecessary energy consumption. Consequently, your equipment will have to work harder to maintain optimal conditions, potentially impeding productivity and significantly increasing data centre expenses.

Data centre airflow management refers to implementing efficient solutions to address temperature-control challenges, such as creating ideal air circulation channels and reducing fan speeds. The primary areas of focus for data centre airflow management include Floors, Racks, Rows and Rooms.

Data Centre Airflow Managment Tips

1. Install Physical Barriers- Installing plastic curtains, blankets, or other heavy drapery items to seal off hot and cold cabinet aisles can greatly enhance the effectiveness of any airflow regulation technique. These physical barriers are simple to install and yield significant outcomes. By reducing energy costs, enhancing cooling efficiencies, and efficiently managing airflow, these measures prove to be highly beneficial
2. Seal and Minimise Air Gaps- Circulating cool air over heated equipment proves to be efficient; however, the escape of air through cable entry points can be problematic. This can lead to the mixing of hot and cold air, making the cooling of server cabinets more challenging. Furthermore, the presence of substantial holes or gaps further hampers the efficiency of your cooling systems, requiring them to work harder.
3. Optimise Aisle Containment- Structures such as doors positioned at the end of each row and ceilings above the aisles are utilized to enclose the hot and cold aisles, effectively confining the air within a single space. This approach enables the cool air to efficiently alleviate the overheating of equipment while allowing the hot air to circulate into HVAC ducts in a regulated manner. Enhancing the containment of the aisles ensures that all energy is dedicated to cooling the designated IT equipment, reduces the mixing of air, and prevents excessive cooling.
4. Monitor Temperatures: Keeping your data facility at the ideal temperature is crucial. Real-time temperature monitoring by specific systems is highly recommended. Alternatively, you can also install easily accessible thermometers across your data centre to promptly notify you of any sudden temperature increases.