They provide a number of benefits, one of which is a modular and flexible approach to the manner in which IT equipment in an information technology space is powered, cooled, and even positioned within the space itself. The structure is made up of a collection of floor tiles that are positioned atop a group of four pedestals, which are in turn fastened to a concrete base. The entire structure is then supported by a foundation of concrete.
When deciding where to place components on a raised access floor, important considerations that should be taken into account include access, maintenance, and point loadings (weights), among others. The typical server cabinet can weigh up to 300 kilograms; for heavier weights, it may be necessary to remove some floor tiles and pedestals before having a plinth built. Another option would be to use a spreader plate.
There are two distinct types of raised access floors​ available for your selection. The one that is utilized within an IT hardware space and is founded on the utilization of standard floor tiles and metal pedestals is the one that is seen the most frequently. Moreover, this particular layout is the one that is seen the most frequently. The tiles are substantial, and the combination of their weight and the fact that they are arranged laterally ensures that they will not move. A lock-down or screw-down floor tile is an alternative format; however, this type of system is not as common in environments similar to a data center as other types of systems are because it provides less access and flexibility than those other types. Lifting and moving a floor tie is possible with the assistance of panel or tile lifters. These tools have two suction cups that attach to the floor tile and allow for lifting and moving of the floor tie.
Depending on a number of factors, including the maximum amount of concentrated and uniformly distributed weight that the tiles are designed to withstand, different types of tiles used for the floors of server rooms are given grades ranging from extra heavy to heavy, medium, and light. The grades range from extra heavy to heavy, medium, and light.
The floor tiles themselves are made of high-density particle board, galvanized steel, and vinyl wrap, and they are encased in vinyl to protect them from the elements. Tiles that will be used in a server room or data center might have an anti-static coating applied to them. As an alternative, the tiles might have a coating that is static-conductive, or they might have another finish. When shopping for floor tiles, it is essential to take into consideration not only their aesthetic appeal but also their acoustic and fire-resistant qualities.
When it comes to the design of the computer room, a standard tile has dimensions of 500 millimeters by 500 millimeters, and the height of the pedestals can range anywhere from 70 millimeters to 1200 millimeters. When installed, these typically have a depth of 30 millimeters, and once in place, they reduce the amount of space that is available between the subfloor and the raise floor. It is essential to keep in mind that this area, which may also be referred to as the void or the plenum, should ideally be relatively clear in order to facilitate the easy routing of cables (both electrical and network), as well as the easy access to cooling areas. This is why it is so important to keep this area relatively clear.
In addition to the floor, it is essential for the overall design of the server room to ensure that the room itself is dry and water-tight in order to maintain precise control over the relative humidity and air temperature. This can be accomplished by ensuring that the room is water-tight. If everything goes according to plan, the relative humidity should be lower than 75%, and the temperature in the room shouldn't be higher than 25 degrees Celsius. In general, a raised access floor needs to be compliant with the BSI standard BSEN 12825 as well as the National Building Specification K41. Both of these standards were developed by the British Standards Institution.
The question that arises at this juncture is, "What are the benefits of having a raised access floor?"Managers of information technology and data centers can choose between multiple available alternatives. In the server room, the void beneath the floor provides a space that can be utilized to route and contain infrastructure, cable, and pipework. This includes the wiring for the electrical system, the wiring for data and telecoms, the wiring for security, and the components of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The utilization of a void as well as floor tiles of a standard size makes it simpler to rearrange the layout of the room as well as relocate or add new pieces of equipment in the near future. This is because both of these elements contribute to the ease of reconfiguration.
One of the most important uses of a raised access floor is as a cooling system, or more specifically, as an air plenum that can be used for cooling, general ventilation, and even heating. This is one of the most important applications of a raised access floor. Both the air flow in the plenum and the air flow in the area directly above the floor in a server room need to be taken into consideration when planning the layout of the room. The quality of the floor installation and the pressure rating of the air conditioning system that is being installed (25-30 psa high or 7-15 psa low, respectively) are also essential aspects of the overall design. These are the aspects that are most important to the overall design. The typical method for regulating the flow of air from the floor into the space above it consists of installing ventilated floor tiles that are fitted with aluminum grills.
The vast majority of loads that are placed on a raised access floor will remain stationary and will only be moved occasionally, if at all, as part of a swap-out or replacement program. This is the case for the vast majority of loads that are placed on raised access floors. The installation of these components onto the raised access floor will necessitate prior planning and management. A specialized logistics company that is outfitted with lifting gear may be required in certain circumstances due to the weights and dimensions of the equipment that needs to be lifted and positioned. This is especially important to keep in mind in situations where there is a plinth or step leading up to the raised access floor. The designs of machines and the technologies that power them generally advance and become more compact over time, despite the fact that the machines' demand for electricity continues to increase. However, as a result of cloud computing and virtualized server environments, the amount of power that is consumed by each server cabinet will increase from 3 kW to 5 kW. This will allow for a reduction in the total number of required servers and server cabinets. In either case, the overall electrical design of the room may need to be rethought, and the electrical cables that run beneath the floor may need to be rerouted so that they are compatible with the new layout and hardware.
There is a possibility that some of the furniture that is used for sitting on the raised access floor will come equipped with casters. As a result of this, the total weight is dispersed across all four points in a more even manner (this is assuming that there are four castors, one on each corner). Prior to installation, it is strongly recommended to conduct a review of the actual floor loading or set point loading (expressed in Kg/m2) If at all possible, this review ought to be carried out by a structural engineer.
Raised access floors are a common component found within a server room or data center and can provide a number of benefits to the facility as a whole.
If the void is properly routed and sealed, it is possible to manage the air flow in a raised access floor void in the most thermodynamically efficient manner possible. This is the case only if the void has been properly routed. This, in turn, leads to increased energy efficiency, which, in turn, leads to lower overall costs associated with the consumption of electricity. In addition, the overall dependability of servers and the information technology loads will increase, potentially reaching a point where working lives can be extended.