Enterprise Data Center Design and Methodology

Chapter 6. Implementing a Raised Floor

“Consent upon a sure foundation.”

—Lord Bardolph in Henry IV, Part II by William Shakespeare

The purpose of a raised floor is to channel cold air from the HVAC units and direct it up where it's needed to cool equipment, act as an out-of-the-way area to route network and power cables, and act as a framework for equipment grounding. It also provides a sure foundation for data center equipment.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• “Anatomy of a Raised Floor ”

• “Floor Load Capacity ”

• “Air Flow and Pressure ”

• “Fire Rating”

• “Local Building Code ”