Our digital world’s massive demand for evermore data is being driven by huge increases in Internet traffic, and the related boom in the use of new digital-related technologies and communications, and such as smart devices, social media, big data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Bar grating offers cost-effective cooling solutions
The rapid adoption of these innovative and constantly evolving technologies has led to an unprecedented demand for data center construction. In fact, researchers in 2018 estimated that the global data center construction market will generate $45 billion in revenues between 2018 and 2023, representing a compound growth rate exceeding 6%.
Tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft are leading the demand for hyper-scale data centers, but smaller tech companies and data providers are boosting the need for smaller data centers. No matter what their size, all of them are looking for innovative ways to enhance data center operational efficiency, reduce their vast power consumption and decrease their related carbon emission contributions.
Air Conditioning is a Major Cost
Data center hardware transmits significant amounts of heat, the control of which necessitates extensive cooling systems. These contribute to vast power consumption and related large carbon footprint. The inefficiencies of today’s data center HVAC systems are compounded by a relative lack of design standards that could naturally promote cooling.
Because so many data center designs have failed to adequately promote air circulation, many companies end up spending more than double on their HVAC needs. This comes at the cost of eroding profits and boosting carbon emissions.
While worker comfort is important, transferring the incredible amount of heat generated from data room equipment is the number one operational priority of HVAC considerations. Heat transference can be eased—with a resultant decrease in energy costs and carbon emissions—by making data center design improvements that better account for proper air flows.
Curing Air Circulation Problems
Bar grating offers an appealing solution for improving air flow and helping better regulate temperature. For example, 3/16-inch-thick bearing bar in standard 19w4 carbon steel provides up to 79% open area for air circulation. Bar grating easily adapts to any necessary paneling or curtaining solutions that can be attached to direct air flows and help improve overall circulation.
Of course, grating size is dependent upon load requirements and open-air specifications, so some data center projects might require different sizes and/or finishes. Whatever the size, though, forge-welded grating is best-suited to creating bar grating that will best influence proper air circulation. It also offers superior strength, durability, cost efficiency, longevity and ease of installation. Custom galvanized grating provides anti-oxidation properties and further improves the life cycle of grating.
Bar grating can be fabricated and customized to meet the specific data center air flow needs. These flows can be further moderated with stock panels or custom fabricated panels used to close off empty rack slots, which prevent hot air from impacting cold air flows. And thanks to the aforementioned technology, bar grating solution providers can use computer-aided design (CAD) and 3-D software applications to ensure that custom-fabricated bar grating will perfectly align with design and physical security needs identified by data center architects and engineers.
Whether constructing or designing a new data center, or remodeling an older one, consider the potential air flow properties offered by bar grating as a key solution for reducing HVAC costs and associated carbon footprint.
Don Nelson is a sales manager with Nucor Grating West U.S., and Mark Powell is a district sales manager with Nucor Cold Finish Wire Products, Charlotte, N.C. For more information, email dnelson@nucorgrating.com, call (708) 864-4520 or visit www.nucorgrating.com.
