Cold Aisle Containment System

Cold aisle containment separates the cold supply air from the hot return air in a data center row. It encloses the cold aisle with a frame, roof panels and end doors, so the air delivered by the CRAC or in-row units reaches the server intakes instead of mixing with hot exhaust.

The result is a more uniform intake temperature, fewer hot spots and less energy used by the cooling system. Containment is often the lowest-cost way to raise cooling capacity in an existing room before adding more air conditioners.

The aisle width is typically 1,200 mm, which allows two people to pass and gives enough space for door swing and equipment installation. The frame height is usually 2,000 mm to 2,200 mm, matching the cabinet row and the ceiling grid. The frame uses aluminum profiles with adjustable feet and independent support, so it does not load the cabinets.

The roof panels are tempered glass or polycarbonate. Glass gives better light transmission and scratch resistance; polycarbonate is lighter and less likely to shatter. Both should provide 70% to 80% light transmission and a sealed joint between panels.

End doors are sliding or swing glass doors, typically 900 mm wide and 2,000 mm high, with a frame and seals. Sliding doors save space in tight rooms; swing doors give a wider opening for equipment. Magnetic or brush seals close the gaps between doors, panels and cabinets.

The goal is to keep leakage below about 5% of the supply airflow. Seal cable openings, blank unused U positions, and close gaps at the top and bottom of the row. A pressure difference of 5 Pa to 15 Pa between the cold aisle and the room is a useful commissioning check.

Cold aisle containment is commonly used with row cooling units of 25 kW to 50 kW, or with perimeter CRAC units. The containment does not add cooling capacity; it makes the existing capacity more effective. Confirm the IT load, the supply air temperature and the redundancy before selecting the cooling units.

With good sealing, the intake temperature variation along the row can be kept within 1 °C to 2 °C. That allows a higher supply air temperature and a higher chilled water temperature, which improves chiller efficiency and reduces PUE.

Installation is modular: mount the vertical posts, add the roof beams, fit the panels, then hang the doors. The frame is adjustable for cabinet width and row length. A typical row of 10 cabinets can be installed in 2 to 4 days after the cabinets are in place.

Options include hot aisle containment, skylight panels with drop-away function, fire-suppression interfaces, blanking panels, brush seals and LED lighting. Typical lead time is 20 to 30 working days after drawing approval, with 1 row as the minimum order.