Data Center Floor Replacement & Repair

Raised flooring systems have an average lifespan of twenty years (as stated by manufacturers), but require ongoing maintenance and attention in order to?avoid the weakening of the tiles, which could lead to a devastating partial or full-floor collapse.

DataSpan has been installing, strengthening, leveling, and replacing raised access flooring for over twenty-five years and offer a full range of flooring services to ensure you never have to worry about your flooring system again.

Whether your data center needs a replacement floor or repairs to an existing raised floor, we have expert representatives and products to assist you with meeting your flooring needs.

You need to carefully select the appropriate raised floor data center design for your computer room to ensure you get the performance the space needs. Factors to consider when deciding on a new or replacement floor include the data center’s layout and weight capacities required. Here is a more detailed overview of those points:

While you should usually choose vented tiles for cold aisles, that is not the only decision to make. Other considerations include the choice of ventilation in the tile — perforated or grated — plus the use of directional or high-flow tiles.

To ensure the best airflow in your data center hot aisles and cold areas, the Department of Energy recommends consulting with a professional for an airflow assessment. A consultant can also help with placement, sizing and other design factors of your raised floor for a computer room or data center.

Even Distribution of Weight

Using a grid-pattern to arrange the pedestals and tiles opens the space under the data center while allowing uniform support of heavy computer equipment, servers and other devices. Because the tiles support heavy equipment, servicing them to replace worn tiles or support pedestals should be part of your plans for computer floor repairs and maintenance annually.

Regular servicing to include leveling floors caused by shifting pedestals will ensure the cabinets’ weight remains evenly distributed and safely supported. Failure to correctly maintain the raised floor could lead to a collapse.

Challenges of Maintaining Raised Floor Systems

While raised floor systems offer numerous benefits, you must still schedule regular maintenance,?professional cleaning?and repairs to avoid problems. Here are some issues you might encounter, so you know how to plan for them should they arise:

Structural Problems and Maintenance

Structural problems may occur from abuse or misuse of a raised flooring system. Failing to properly replace tiles after removing them or allowing the continued use of warped tiles could weaken the floor. Regular repairs to the floor can prevent collapse and damage to expensive electronic equipment. Neglecting repairs or replacements, along with worn or damaged sections, could result in the need to replace the entire floor prematurely.

Aging System

Raised access floors average 20 years of use with conscientious care, according to manufacturing standards. This long-lasting attribute makes raised floors desirable, but many installed around the turn of the century have reached the end of their useful lives.

If you have a raised access floor in your building that has been in place for almost that long, you could experience problems with worn components. If you have doubts, contact DataSpan for an assessment for service and repairs.