The drive for increased energy efficiency in data centres and
computer rooms has led to the development of a new range of
ventilation floor grilles from Air Diffusion.
Building services engineers are increasingly looking for new ways of
introducing cool air into currently highly energy intensive spaces
in a way that reduces the carbon footprint of the building. The new
grille system from Air Diffusion, which is part of the Ruskin Air
Management group, is designed specifically to support low energy
ventilation strategies and provide the necessary flexibility for
designers.
Some cooling systems are being designed to work at slightly elevated
temperatures to reduce chiller loads while still keeping the
internal conditions within acceptable operating parameters for IT
and computer equipment. However, this approach increases the need
for ventilation air and so depends on a robust approach to the
ventilation design supported by the specification of high quality
grilles and diffusers to ensure accurate and even air distribution.
Air Diffusion’s new CDA computer floor grille range, which is
manufactured in the UK from locally sourced materials, has been
designed with just this approach in mind. The market for air
terminal devices has become fiercely competitive in recent years,
but not all devices are the same and some of the lower priced
products will not deliver the even and controlled air distribution
required by modern low energy systems.
Thrive
“The data centre market continues to thrive and there are huge
opportunities there for the building services sector,” said Ruskin
group sales and marketing director David Fitzpatrick. “However, we
regularly see air distribution strategies being undermined by the
incorrect specification of grilles and diffusers. Price competition
has led to a proliferation of commodity products into our market and
this is not helping engineers meet their energy goals.
“This new range is designed specifically to support the efforts of
building services system designers to reduce the energy intensity of
IT-heavy buildings without compromising critical operating
conditions.”
CDA grilles deliver a market leading airflow of 43 per cent of the
free area, which means it can provide airflow to critical areas at
higher rates than standard grilles in this class.
The low profile design of the CDA grille also means it can be
specified for a wide range of raised floor systems, including the
new thinner depth tiles that are now regularly used in data centres.
It comes in standard 599x599 tile sizes to suit most floor panels,
but can be specified in non-standard sizes.
The range has been tested and certified to EN13264:2001 against
collapse or failure in even the heaviest load situations. The
grilles are supplied in a brushed aluminium finish for durability,
but it can also be specified with a range of coating options
including nylon coating and in a range of colours.
Air Diffusion also recognised that it is often necessary to alter
the layout of the computer room as usage patterns change. Therefore
a ‘hit and miss’ damper arrangement is available, which allows the
grille to be easily removed and relocated without the damage this
can cause to opposed blade dampers.
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