Aisle Containment

Create the Most Efficient Aisle Containment Strategy
Choose What Works for You

Building physical barriers around cabinets creates a containment solution that reduces energy consumption and improves overall equipment performance and efficiency.  Containment strategies are implemented by using doors, walls, and ceiling panels that are custom, built-to-order or standard, and ready to ship products.

Determine an Airflow Strategy

Here are a few examples of how hot, cold, or cabinet containment can be implemented in a data center. Data center infrastructure (new or existing) and expansion goals help determine whether hot or cold aisle containment is the best airflow strategy. If you’re unsure, work with us to choose the best solution. Great Lakes engineers can help evaluate your space by a simple discussion or through the use of CFD analysis, which lets you know which containment solution may work best in your space.

Select Containment Products

Based on the type of containment you want to implement, various doors, ceiling panels, and “walls” will be used to build the solution. Many components are custom, built-to-order containment products that create the most efficient solution for your unique space. Other products are standard and can be deployed for “quick-fixes” or an economical solution.

When you determine a strategy, we’ll ensure that the strategy you choose is compatible with your cabinets (regardless of manufacturer) and we can help select the appropriate containment products. A survey of physical data center measurements will be completed and Great Lakes will create a detailed drawing that highlights each product and its size. Manufacturing of custom, built-to-order parts will begin after drawing approval.

Auto Sliding Doors
Manual Sliding Doors
Pivot Doors
Hinged Doors
Rigid Walls
Mechanical Ceiling
Melt-Away Ceiling
Thermal Curtains
Cabinet Containment
Modular Products

AUTO SLIDING DOORS:
Double or Single Option

FEATURES

  • Smooth operation under high air pressure
  • No threshold design
  • Soft close auto closing door
  • Sturdy aluminum frame
  • Hold-Open feature
  • NFPA compliant

OPTIONS

  • Clear or corrugated panels
  • Clear/black anodize frame
  • Aluminum handle
  • Digital/key lock
  • Free standing
  • Custom frame colors
  • Other customizations

Product Data Sheet

Custom, built-to-order to ensure the best fit, function and installation

MANUAL SLIDING DOORS:
Double or Single Option

FEATURES

  • Smooth operation under high air pressure
  • No threshold design
  • Sturdy aluminum frame
  • Hold-Open feature
  • NFPA compliant

OPTIONS

  • Clear or corrugated panels
  • Clear/black anodize frame
  • Aluminum handle
  • Digital/key lock
  • Free standing
  • Custom frame colors
  • Other customizations

Product Data Sheet

Custom, built-to-order to ensure the best fit, function and installation

PIVOT DOORS:
Double or Single Options

FEATURES

  • No threshold design
  • Double acting closer with adjustable tension
  • Sturdy aluminum frame
  • Doors hold open at 85o

OPTIONS

  • Clear or corrugated panels
  • Clear/black anodize frame
  • Bottom kick plate
  • Aluminum handle
  • Free standing
  • Custom frame colors
  • Other customizations

Product Data Sheet

Custom, built-to-order to ensure the best fit, function and installation

HINGED DOORS

FEATURES

  • Ordered to size for precise fit
  • Auto closer with adjustable speed
  • Sturdy aluminum frame

OPTIONS

  • Clear/black anodize frame
  • Aluminum handle
  • Free standing
  • Custom frame colors
  • Other customizations
  • Clear or corrugated panels

Product Data Sheet

Custom, built-to-order to ensure the best fit, function and installation

RIGID WALLS

FEATURES

  • Ordered to size for precise fit
  • Sturdy aluminum frame
  • Wide range of applications

OPTIONS

  • Clear or corrugated panels
  • Clear/black anodize frame
  • Custom frame colors
  • Other customizations

Product Data Sheet

Custom, built-to-order to ensure the best fit, function and installation

MECHANICAL CEILING

FEATURES

  • Connects to fire suppression system
  • Can be configured to open upwards or downwards
  • Clear translucent panels are heat activated for redundancy
  • Approved for use under fire suppression systems
  • NFPA compliant
  • Installation track and hardware

OPTIONS

  • Black/clear anodize frame
  • Custom frame colors
  • Leveling kits for uneven cabinets

Product Data Sheet

Custom, built-to-order to ensure the best fit, function and installation

MELT-AWAY CEILING

FEATURES

  • Removable individual panels for easy access above the cabinets
  • Heat activated design to shrink and drop away
  • Sturdy aluminum frame
  • Installation track and hardware
  • Approved for use under fire suppression system

OPTIONS

  • Clear or corrugated panels
  • Black/clear anodize frame
  • Custom frame colors
  • Leveling kits for uneven cabinets

Product Data Sheet

Custom, built-to-order to ensure the best fit, function and installation

THERMAL CURTAINS

FEATURES

  • 165o heat activated fusible links
  • Fire rated clear vinyl curtain
  • 90o radius corner track (curtains curve around track)
  • Aluminum track
  • Twist clips for attaching to ceiling
  • Custom built to any length or width

OPTIONS

  • 135o fusible links attach to ceiling
  • Electronic fusible link to connect to fire suppression system
  • Silicone coated fabric to meet NFPA standards

Product Data Sheet

Custom, built-to-order to ensure the best fit, function and installation

CABINET CONTAINMENT:
Air Manager & Chimney

Cabinet Containment, or Localized Containment, uses an air manager and exhaust chimney to segregate and channel airflow in a single cabinet. Chimneys eliminate the hot aisle and channels equipment exhaust to the ceiling plenum and CRAC. The CRAC can run more efficiently and conditioned air can typically have a higher set point. Cabinets with chimneys are configured with a front mesh door, rear solid door, and cabinet best practices.

FEATURES

  • Adjustable slide on the air manager provides control over the amount of under floor conditioned air that is let into the cabinet
  • Manager directs airflow to the front of EIA equipment
  • Chimney helps channel exhaust back to the CRAC

OPTIONS

  • Fan assemblies for air manager and chimney
  • Standard or high flow air managers, chimneys, and fan assembles
  • Custom chimneys to accommodate existing infrastructure

Stocked and able to ship installed in the cabinet

MODULAR PRODUCTS:
Swinging Doors, Gap Panels, Top Baffles

MAGNETIC SWINGING DOORS

  • Magnetically attach to end-of-aisle cabinet using non-interfering twist locks​
  • No threshold for easy entrance​
  • Includes a door stopper to hold doors open ​

ADJUSTABLE GAP PANELS

  • Magnetically attach to side of cabinets; for non-metallic surfaces, use with optional striker plate kit​
  • Retractable material covers gap widths from 10-60”​
  • Mount for left- or right-hand use​

TOP BAFFLES

  • Magnetically attach directly to top of cabinet
  • 30° angled baffles are ideal for cold aisle applications​
  • 90° vertical baffles are ideal for hot aisle applications​

Standard products-ready to ship when you need a fast solution!

  • Custom built products for the best fit

  • Standard products for quick fixes

  • Engineers draw and develop a plan

  • CFD Analysis ensures it's the best solution

Airflow Home

Best Practices

CFD Analysis

Environmental Monitoring

Industrial Options

AIRFLOW THAT FITS YOUR SPACE

Together, we can identify how to make your data center more efficient!