End User Testimonials

"Cooling is not the only reason for a raised floor however so many defer to that as the reason. Cabling needs a path to run, and working under floor is much faster than running cables overhead. No ladders required and easier to manage. Ask anyone working with the cables if they would rather work with their hands above their heads or below. Can a data centre be built without a raised floor... absolutely but there are implications."

Gary Westaway
Manager Data Centre Operations – Dell Canada

"Given the choice I would always have raised floor to host power and maybe cooling lines in the event that you use In-Row LCP's ect. I always try and keep data cabling away from power cables. More and more racks are being installed with 3ph power now days."

Lance Bradey, CDCDP, CDCE, CORM ITILv3, Prince2
Director Mission Critical Systems at Structure Tone

"I'd like to add that a raised floor offers you THE most flexibility possible. There is no computing device or cooling method that I cannot entertain if I have a raised floor. Some equipment only comes with power cords exiting at the bottom of the frame – a bit unsightly without a raised floor. Also, we need to pay attention to grounding and noise attenuation. IEEE-1100 guidelines recommend establishing a signal reference ground grid (SRGG) in the computer room.

This is easily done with a raised floor. If you haven't a raised floor, then other techniques are needed. Want to reduce static build-up in the computer room. Raised floor has got you covered. If no raised floor, then perhaps you must look at static-dissipative floor tiles, ground straps, special adhesives, and yearly application of a special wax for the floor. I'll take the raised floor anytime. It doesn't necessarily have to be used for delivering air, there are many other jobs it can fulfill."

Chris Ouellette
Sr. IT Specialist at IBM

"Cooling isn't the only reason and after extensive cabling experience in a previous life, overhead cabling is a killer for shoulders and upper arms in later life. However my most important requirement for a raised floor is flood protection. My belief is that if there is any chance of water entering the data centre the use of a raised floor can keep all of the equipment and power sockets out of reach of the damp. I have witnessed a first floor data centre flood because of a poor drainage design but everything above the false floor was untouched. Without a false floor in the above incident some expensive equipment would have been wrecked."

Richard Brown
Manager at Enterprise Data Centres

 

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