Containment Design
Handbook
The purpose of this publication is to assist in the design of Subzero
Engineering containment systems in data processing centers.
This handbook and the material it contains is both confidential
and private to Subzero Engineering customers, reps, and all
others who are designing containment with Subzero Engineering
products.
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
1 Containment, Why?
Containment has come a long way from being a novel
idea to a standard way to improve the cooling of IT
equipment. There are a variety of benefits that reach into
various areas of the data center. This section provides
information as to specific benefits of containment.
§  What are the benefits of containment?
§  Which containment is right for my data center?
§  Should I contain the hot or the cold aisle?
§  How can I harvest the energy savings?
§  Are there other benefits besides energy?
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
2 Intel White Paper
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
3 Intel White Paper
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
4 Intel White Paper
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
5 Intel White Paper
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
6 Optimized Cooling
of Data Center
Instead of cooling the
entire data center,
containment systems focus
the cooling only to the IT
equipment.
This approach will ensure
consistent cooling airflow
across the entire face of
the IT equipment. Colder
intake temperatures
ensure computer uptime.
It will also reduce the cost
of cooling by 30% or more.
Furthermore, it will increase
the efficiency of the AC
equipment. With warmer
and drier return airflow, AC
equipment will create as
much as double the
cooling capacity!
Colder IT equipment uses less energy!
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
7 Colder Intake
Temperatures
Below is a graph that is typical of the results of cold aisle containment.
Note that the in-row sensor reads an immediate change in temperature
and relative humidity. Colder supply and higher relative humidity will
translate into energy savings, increase cooling capacity and better rack
population.
9 Degrees Colder!
10% increase in RH!
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
8 Containment Benefits
§  Increase in temperature set point (energy $)
§  Decrease in humidity set point (energy $)
§  Increased cooling capacity (capital $)
§  Increase of facility longevity (capital $)
§  Increase of use of rack space (capital $)
§  Fast ROI (inside of one year or less)
§  Delay of capital expense
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
9 Hot or Cold Aisle
Containment?
There are good arguments for both cold and hot aisle containment.
That said…
Data center cooling experts must work with the natural properties of air.
In order to understand airflow you must recognize that air has both mass and
density. Thus:
Cold air is denser than warm air.
This fundamental helps us understand airflow.
In a data center, cold supply air is denser than warm air. What this means is that the
cold supply air must be managed or contained to the IT equipment intake.
Warmer exhaust air rises above the colder air and instantly moves up and away
from the IT cabinet. Thus, warmer exhaust air naturally moves in the direction we
want it to go. The key is to let warmer air travel back to the AC intake without
mixing with the cold supply airflow.
Hence, true containment is pooling cold supply air to the IT intake and directing hot
exhaust air back to the AC return without mixing with the cold.
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
10 Containment Roofs Purpose
§  Containment roofs prevent
warm air from recirculation into
the IT equipment intake.
§  This is due to two main
conditions:
1.  Return air pathway
2.  Lack of supply CFM and
throw rate
§  Also used in hot aisle with in-row
cooling systems
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
11 Containment Doors Purpose
Aisle End Doors are used
to prevent air from flowing
out the ends of the aisle.
Aisle End Doors can be
used on:
§  Hot aisles
§  Cold aisles
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
12 Containment Walls Purpose
§  Walls fill in the gaps between
missing equipment or other
smaller gaps due to cabinet
alignment or varying
dimensions (cityscape rows).
§  Walls can be rigid or made
of soft material like vinyl.
§  Walls can be full length or
makeup differences between
shorter cabinets and taller
ones.
§  Walls can be built to create
a cold or hot aisle when there
is no opposing cabinets.
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
13 Designing Containment
Systems
In order to design a containment
solution, we will need the following:
§  Floor plan
§  Cabinet dimensions
§  Aisle layout (cold/hot)
§  Floor type
§  Supply type and placement
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
14 Containment Design
Solutions
Polar Roof
Dual Sliding Door
Cold Aisle Containment
Solution:
§  Polar Roof UL/FM rated
drop panel continuous
roof system
§  Dual Sliding Door with
automatic closer and
digital lock
§  Modular wall system to
fill in missing cabinets
Modular Wall Panel
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
15 CFD Engineering Services
The best way to design and optimize an airflow
management program is through the use of
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.
§  How are CFD’s created?
§  What kind of information is required to perform a CFD?
§  What does the CFD report include?
§  How can a CFD help to design a containment solution?
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
16 CFD Creation/Site Visit
Site Visit
On-site data gathering includes:
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
§
Floor plan
Alpha-Numeric order of floor
Depth of subfloor plenum
Under floor obstructions
CRAC make/model, CFM
Perforated tile placement and flow
percentage
Cable cut out size and placement
PDU placement
Rack make/model and placement
IT equipment make/model, thermal
signature
Height of ceiling
Interior walls
Columns
Unique room features such as:
§
§
§
§
§
Non raised floors
Facility AC
Ceiling cable treys
Drop ceiling voids
Triangle shaped rooms
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
17 CFD Report
The CFD report includes:
§  Performance analysis of CRAC units
§  Detailed rack-by-rack inlet and exit
temperatures
§  Compatibility with ASHRAE allowable
and recommended temperature
ranges according to Thermal
Guidelines for Data Center Processing
Environments publication
§  Subfloor air velocity
§  Subfloor air pressure
§  Above floor tracking of hot exhaust air
§  3D thermal mapping of data center
and racks highlighting trouble areas
§  2D and 3D color contour plots of
temperature, pressure, airflow and
flow distribution through tiles and grills
§  3D color animations of temperature
distribution and airflow patterns
Visualize fundamental simulation
results by color-coding data
center components including:
§  CRAC units: supply or return
temperatures
§  Cooling capacity
§  Row of racks: maximum, minimum and
average inlet temperature
§  Exit temperature
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
18 CFD
Deliverables/Responsibilities
Deliverables
§  Data Center assessment report that
identifies problem areas based on
analysis performed
§  CFD findings in graphical format
§  Delivered in electronic media
§  Conference call to discuss findings
§  Suggested course of response to data
Customer Scope of
Responsibility
§  Meeting with customer to outline process
§  Provide qualified personnel required to
access data center and pertinent
information
§  Provide physical access to the data
center
§  Provide building diagrams
§  Security clearance for Subzero personnel
Features Measure exis4ng environmental condi4on. This creates the baseline as to how the data center is opera4ng currently. Temperature, humidity levels, airflow (both to the thermal load and back to the CRAC unit). Computa4onal Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Computer modeling allows us to make changes in the computer room to determine op4mal performance design. Side-­‐by-­‐side Comparison Comparing the “as found” computer room with a superior cooling design allows measurement of increased performance. Return on Investment Investment cooling performance has measureable characteris4cs that can be modeled to determine the energy savings. Disaster Recovery Computer modeling allows for test scenarios to determine the affect of certain condi4ons such as failed CRAC units. This will help determine whether addi4onal cooling capacity is needed (N+1). Other benefits include a detailed list of what computer components are affected by temperature changes created by the failed CRAC unit thus allowing for a planned shut down of affected equipment. Schedule
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Benefits Purchase Order
Information gathering, site plan development
Schedule site visit
Site visit
Data gathering
Digital computer model created
CFD preformed (multiple as necessary)
Report/video generated
Customer conference call to review data
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
19 Containment Products
Subzero Engineering containment products are designed to create a full
containment solution. Our product line covers every aspect of containment so as
to create one continuous solution from one manufacturer.
§  What design is right for my data center?
§  Should I contain the cold or the hot aisle?
§  What products will fit my budget?
§  What will the containment look like?
§  How will the containment’s fit and finish match my existing cabinets?
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
20 Premium
Dual Sliding Door
Aisle End Door System
Key Features
§  Custom sizes (height, width)
§  Fits all cabinets
§  No threshold
§  Modular design (attaches to
walls, roofs, etc.)
§  Gasket sealed for maximum
efficiency
§  Clear door panels provide light
and enhance security
§  Easy installation
Shipping and Installation
Ø  Ships in 5 pieces
2# Side panels
2# Doors
1# Header
Installation instruction provided
with door
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
21 Premium
Dual Sliding Door
Options & Accessories
§
Silver
§
Black
§
Digital Lock
§
Auto Door Closer
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
22 Premium
Single Sliding Door
Aisle End Door System
Key Features
§  Custom sizes (height, width)
§  Fits all cabinets
§  No threshold
§  Modular design (attaches to
walls, roofs, etc.)
§  Gasket sealed for maximum
efficiency
§  Clear door panels provide light
and enhance security
§  Easy installation
Shipping and Installation
Ø  Ships in 3 pieces
1# Side panels
1# Doors
1# Header
Installation instruction provided
with door
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
23 Premium
Single Sliding Door
Options & Accessories
§
Silver
§
Black
§
Digital Lock
§
Auto Door Closer
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
24 Premium Hinged Door
Aisle End Door System
Key Features
§  Custom sizes (height, width)
§  Fits all cabinets
§  No threshold
§  Modular design (attaches to
walls, roofs, etc.)
§  Gasket sealed for maximum
efficiency
§  Clear door panels provide light
and enhance security
§  Easy installation
Shipping and Installation
Ø  Ships in 2 pieces
1# Doors
1# Frame
Installation instruction provided
with door
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
25 Lite Door Series
Our Lite Doors have the same features as our Premium Door with the exception
of the dimensions of the aluminum. In low traffic aisles, this offers a less expensive
alternative to our premium door systems. The Lite door uses 1.0” aluminum frame
instead of the 1.5” used in our standard door.
§  Cost effective
§  Less weight then standard door
§  Same see-through acrylic panels
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
26 Lite
Dual Sliding Door
Aisle End Door System
Key Features
§  Custom sizes (height, width)
§  Fits all cabinets
§  No threshold
§  Modular design (attaches to
walls, roofs, etc.)
§  Gasket sealed for maximum
efficiency
§  Clear door panels provide light
and enhance security
§  Easy installation
Shipping and Installation
Ø  Ships in 5 pieces
2# Side panels
2# Doors
1# Header
Installation instruction provided
with door
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
27 Lite
Dual Sliding Door
Options & Accessories
§
Silver
§
Black
§
Digital Lock
§
Auto Door Closer
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
28 Lite
Single Sliding Door
Aisle End Door System
Key Features
§  Custom sizes (height, width)
§  Fits all cabinets
§  No threshold
§  Modular design (attaches to
walls, roofs, etc.)
§  Gasket sealed for maximum
efficiency
§  Clear door panels provide light
and enhance security
§  Easy installation
Shipping and Installation
Ø  Ships in 5 pieces
2# Side panels
2# Doors
1# Header
Installation instruction provided
with door
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
29 Lite
Single Sliding Door
Options & Accessories
§
Silver
§
Black
§
Digital Lock
§
Auto Door Closer
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
30 Polar Roof
UL Drop Panel Roof System
Key Features
§  Custom sizes (length, width)
§  UL listed molded translucent PVC
panels
§  UL/FM rated to operate underneath
fire suppression sprinklers
§  Lightweight clear panels 0.381 thick
§  Removable roof panels for easy
overhead maintenance
§  Modular design to attach to Subzero
door and wall systems
§  Designed to attach vinyl or hard wall
material for missing cabinets or space
Shipping and Installation
Ø  Comes fully assembled
Ø  Ships in wooden crate
Installation instruction provided
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
31 Polar Panel Roof
Options & Accessories
§
Silver
§
Vinyl Hanger - allows vinyl to hang from the roof to fill in missing
cabinets
§
Black
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
32 Polar Cap
Retractable Roof System
The Subzero Polar Cap Retractable Roof
System is designed as the premium
containment roof system on the market.
Designed to work with fire suppression
systems, the roof can be rolled up into
the metal cassette should a fire occur.
There are two types of fire suppression
features:
1.  Thermal
2.  Smoke Detector
The spring loaded return can be held by
either a thermal splicer or by low voltage
magnetic coupling.
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
33 Polar Cap
Retractable Roof System
Options & Accessories
§
ELECTROMAGNETIC
LOCK
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
34 Walls - Rigid
Solid Modular Wall System
Key Features
§
Custom sizes (length, width)
§  Clear see through LuciteLux acrylic
panels
§  Modular design to attach to
Subzero door and roof systems
§  Designed to fill in for missing
cabinets or space
Shipping and Installation
Ø  Comes fully assembled
Ø  Ships in wooden crate
Ø  Weight 5 to 50 lbs.
Installation instruction provided
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
35 Walls - Rigid
Options & Accessories
§
Silver
§
Black
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
36 Walls - Soft
Soft Modular Wall System
Key Features
q  Custom Length and Width
q  Modular design to attach to
Subzero door and roof systems
q  Designed to fill in for missing
cabinets or space
Installation instructions provided
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
37 Rack Hat Ceiling
Partition System
Vertical Partition System
Key Features
§  Modular kits make design fast
§  Kits are self-contained and
complete
§  Vinyl curtain
§  Aluminum track
§  Splicer
§  Thermal or electronic fusible links
available
§  Available in 1’, 2’, 3’, 4’, 5’ and 6’ widths
§  Heights from 29” to 182”
§  Corner kits are 1’ on each side
§  All curtains overlap 4”
Installation instructions provided .
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
38 Rack Hat Ceiling
Partition System
Options & Accessories
§
Corner System
§
1-6 Feet in length
§
Vinyl drop down from
17” – 144”
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
39 The CRACup
AC Extension
Key Features
§  Custom length and width
§  Custom colors
Shipping and Installation
Ø  Easy to install
Ø  Comes in four pieces
Ø  Ships in wooden crate
Installation instruction provided
with door
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
40 CRAC Extensions
Options & Accessories
§
Filter Access Doors
§
White
§
Black
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
41 Polar Booth
Isolated Equipment Containment
Key Features
§
Custom sizes (height, width)
§
Rolls on four casters
§
Assembles easily
§
Up to 6 ft. wide
§
Used for cold supply or hot
exhaust containment
Shipping And Installation
Ø  Ships as three major components
Ø  Ships in wooden crate
Installation instruction provided with door
*YouTube installation video
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
42 The Cube
Cable Cutout Cover & Subfloor Wall
Key Features
§  Non-flammable
§  Easy install
§  Easily reconfigured
§  Multiple stock sizes
(custom available)
§  Fireproof and fire
resistant models
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
43 Design Services
Let our design services team create mechanical drawings, floor plans, elevation views
and realistic 3D models of your custom containment system.
This section will answer:
How can Subzero’s design services help create custom solutions for my data center?
What kind of drawings/output can I expect?
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
44 Design Services
Engineering Services
The engineering department is
capable of providing the following:
Layout drawings to illustrate installation
of product
Mechanical drawings & details
Development for custom applications
3D Renderings of custom containment
Drawing Request Process
A written request for services is
presented.
A design meeting is scheduled with the
Engineering Department.
All the details pertaining to the design
are addressed.
An approved preliminary sketch may
be required.
Drawings are completed and sent in
one of the following formats:
§  Adobe Illustrator File (.ai)
§  Adobe Portable Document
Format (.pdf)
§  Adobe Photoshop File (.psd)
§  Drawing (.drw)
§  Dwg (.dwg)
§  eDrawings (.edrw)
§  JPEG (.jpg)
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
45 Acquire Dimensions
Step 1:
Configure Containment
Layout
§  Aisle dimensions
§  Rack dimensions
§  Room or area dimensions
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
46 Choose Product
Step 2:
Product Design
§
§
§
§
§
§
Roof
Doors
Walls
Hot Aisle Containment
Cold Aisle Containment
Dimensions
POLAR PANEL
ROOF
Polar Roof
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
47 Product Layout
Step 3:
Insert Products(s) into the
Layout
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
48 3D Drawings
Step 4:
Render Completed Assembly
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
49 Mechanical Drawings
Step 5:
Produce Mechanical Layout
Drawings
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
50 Shipping
Our shipping department’s goal is to
ship our product safely, on-time and
on-budget.
In order to do this we require
information in advance that will pave
the way for a smooth shipping
experience.
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
51 Shipping
Information required for shipping
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
52 Shipping
Shipping Cost Percentages (Average)
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
53 On-Site Services
Our on-site services group performs product
installs, airflow management audits, CFD
data gathering and containment design
services.
What kind of services are available?
Key Features
§  Expert Product Installation
§  Containment Design Audit
§  CFD Data Gathering
§  Professional Installation
increases the warranty period
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
54 Containment
Worksheets
In order to get the right product and the best fit and finish for your containment, it’s
imperative to have good measurements of the containment area.
Our containment worksheets will assist you to gather the proper measurements.
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
55 Acquire Dimensions
Job__________________
Area_________________
Aisle_________________
Use this sheet to gather key measurements for containment.
§  Key measurements include; ceiling height,
cabinet height, aisle width, and cabinet width.
Aisle:
§  Be sure to note any obstructions that may interfere
with the proposed containment.
q  Hot Aisle
q  Cold Aisle
OBSTRUCTIONS GRID
CEILING
Door
1
Door
2
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
Door 2
Door 1
FLOOR
56 Aisle End Door
Job__________________
Area_________________
Aisle_________________
Single Slider Door:
Double Slider Door:
Hinged Door:
q  Right Hand Silver
q  Silver
(Lite)
q  Black
(Lite)
q  Silver
(Premium)
q  Black
(Premium)
q  Right Hand Silver
q  Right Hand Black
q  Left Hand Silver
q  Left Hand Black
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
q  Right Hand Black
q  Left Hand Silver
q  Left Hand Black
57 Roof Systems
Job__________________
Area_________________
Aisle_________________
Polar Roof
Polar Cap
Overall Roof Length*________
q  Silver
q  Standard
Overall Roof Width#________
q  Black
* Standard Polar Roof width is 55.5”.
# Roof length should exceed the
aisle width a minimum of 2”.
Be sure to indicate any
obstructions that may interfere
with the proposed containment.
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
58 Rack Hat
Job__________________
Area_________________
Aisle_________________
Rack Hat Sizing
q  T-Bar Standard
Drop Down: Distance from ceiling to
the bottom of the vinyl.
q  T-Bar Custom
Width: Defines the width of the track
that holds the vinyl.
q  Corners*
* Rack Hat Corners will subtract 1’
from the aisle length because of
their 1’ Radius.
© 2012 Subzero Engineering. All rights reserved. Company Confidential.
59