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Choosing a raised floor in a data center is a strategic decision that directly affects the security, operational efficiency, maintainability, and adaptability of the entire infrastructure over time. That’s why it is essential to establish a conscious and targeted approach from the design phase, tailored to the specific needs of the project.
Preliminary Analysis: Understanding the Real Needs
The raised floor in a data center is not just a walking surface, but a vital hidden infrastructure where cables, airflow, mechanical loads, and electrostatic charges coexist. The key question to start with is as simple as it is essential: what does your data center truly need?
The first step is to thoroughly analyze the characteristics of the environment:
- rack density and expected loads,
- adopted cooling system,
- potential for future expansion or reconfiguration.
In this context, the raised floor proves to be an extremely versatile choice: it allows easy access to the systems underneath, simplifies cabling, and enables space reorganization even years later. In air-cooled data centers, the underfloor space serves as a plenum for cold air distribution, enhancing the efficiency of the HVAC system. The use of perforated panels, grilles, and diffusers in strategic points is essential for optimizing airflow, while floor finishes must be antistatic and designed to reduce dust accumulation.
Dielectric Properties
Managing electrostatic discharge is a critical aspect in the design of flooring for data centers. In this regard, it is important to distinguish between:
- Conductive floors, which discharge electricity quickly but may be too aggressive for sensitive devices;
- Static-dissipative floors, which offer slower and more controlled dissipation, protecting both equipment and personnel.
Major standards, such as IEC 61340-4-1, recommend the use of static-dissipative materials in critical environments like data centers.
| Floor type | Electrical resistance (Ohm) | Classification according to IEC EN 61340 |
|---|---|---|
| Conductive | < 1,0 × 10⁶ Ω | Floor that rapidly dissipates electrostatic charges |
| Static dissipative | ≥ 1.0 × 10⁶ Ω and ≤ 1.0 ×10⁹ Ω | Floor that dissipates charges in a controlled manner |
| Insulating | > 1,0 × 10⁹ Ω | Floor that does not dissipate charges and may easily accumulate them |
Materials: choose wisely
The composition of the panels also plays a key role. Calcium sulfate solutions offer high mechanical strength, excellent resistance to moisture and fire, and good acoustic insulation. They are ideal for environments with high equipment density and/or in the presence of liquid cooling systems.
When liquid cooling is used, the requirements become more stringent:
- The floor must be resistant to coolants.
- Panels must have effective perimeter edging.
- The structure must support the additional loads from pipes and fluids.
- Absorbent materials (such as wood) should be avoided, as they do not ensure safety in case of leaks.
the supporting structure
The supporting structure is another key element that must ensure both stability and adaptability. Nesite solutions offer up to 15 kN of working load and 30 kN of maximum load, delivering very high resistance while maintaining perfect flatness over time — a crucial factor for ensuring long-term reliability.
| Feature | Nesite TR Structure | Standard Structures |
|---|---|---|
| Load capacity | Up to 30 kN | Typically 12-15 kN |
| Rigidity and stability | High, reinforced stringers | Lower, possible deformation over time |
| ESD compatibility | Excellent, continuous conductive structure | Depends on materials and contact points |
| Long-term resistance | High, no deformation | Possible settling |
| Adaptability to floors with cooling grilles | Yes, customizable | Limited |
Conclusions
Choosing the raised floor for a data center requires an integrated approach based on technical analysis and long-term vision. Investing in the most suitable solution from the very beginning means ensuring efficiency, reliability, and scalability for the entire infrastructure. A well-designed floor is not just a support base — it is an active part of the data center’s technological ecosystem.
We talk about it in the new episode of SottoSopra, “The Hidden Architecture of Digital”, with engineer Antonino Carollo (DBA Treviso) and Valeria Rossignolo (Export Manager at Nesite), to explore how raised floors become invisible yet essential components in high-performance data center environments.
Megiston