Sealing the Risk: The Hazards of Untrimmed Panel Cuts

When creating panel cutouts, a common oversight is the failure to install proper trim to seal around an opening in the floor panel. This seemingly minor detail can have major consequences if left without trim. The absence of appropriate molding leads to:

• Damage to Cables: Exposed sharp edges can fray or sever cables, leading to operational failures.
• Electrical Hazards: Unprotected edges increase the risk of electrical incidents, posing a threat to both equipment and personnel.
• Employee Injury: Sharp cutout edges can cause injuries, compromising workplace safety.
• Panel Surface Detachment: Panels often have laminate surfaces susceptible to damage from environmental exposure, particularly when edges are unprotected.

There are a variety of different products to trim panel openings. It's also important to note that the choice of trim depends upon if the floor is being used as a supply plenum for conditioned hot aisle/cold aisle configuration or not. If the floor is involved with the air handling system in any way, energy efficient trim is a must.

Here are some fast retrofit fixes if your floor is used as a supply plenum:

Foam is the fastest temporary fix. Just tear a couple of sheets and surround the cables.

Retrofit opening cover: For a quick fix Koldlok makes these over the hole energy efficient grommets. These instantly turn untrimmed cutouts into at the very minimum energy efficient openings. However they are not a substitute for actually sealing the raised floor panel edge. Many customers have used duct tape on the rim of the raised floor panels, and then installed these on top. Several sizes are available.

Perimeter brushes: KoldLok? Extended grommets were designed to seal a wide variety of existing openings. Simple modification creates the flexibility to seal large and unique openings such as those found under PDUs.? These brush grommets install at the perimeter of your access panels and can be cut to fit.

If your floor is not being used as a supply plenum here are some options:

Duct Tape - Cheap and quick. Not the best but better than nothing.

Plastic Molding - It is a more labor intensive undertaking. This L shaped PVC edging material, ideal for both rectangular and irregular cutouts, adds a layer of protection against cable damage and human injury. It's a relatively simple and cost effective way to line cutouts.

Cable Guards If your facility has existing cutouts on the perimeter edge of your panels there are preformed plastic U shaped liners available that are very simple to use. They simply screw in to the top of the panel.

Remembering Structural Integrity and Flexibility

An essential reminder for any raised floor owner is that cutting into floor tiles compromises their structural integrity. Therefore, a strategic approach to these modifications is crucial. Excessive or poorly planned cutouts can weaken the entire floor system, metaphorically turning it into 'Swiss cheese'.

The incorporation of proper edge molding, along with complementary solutions like foam and appropriate trim, is not just about maintaining the raised floor system's integrity. It's about safeguarding equipment, enhancing efficiency, and, most importantly, ensuring the safety of employees. Attention to these details can yield long-term benefits in operational reliability and workplace safety.

Next week, we will cover the History of Perforated Panels in Raised Floors.