Aisle-capping method for airflow design in data centers

This report describes cold aisle capping and hot aisle capping methods, one of the airflow design techniques for data centers and telecommunications equipment rooms where high heat density equipments are installed in racks. In both cold and hot aisle capping, the aisles are enclosed by sidewalls at the end of the aisle and by a ceiling over the aisle. These are expected to provide effects of improving hot spots, which are caused by the exhaust air flowing into the cold aisle, and to provide an energy-saving effect by reducing the energy loss, which is caused by mixing of the supply air and the exhaust air of the IT equipment. This report presents the results of an experiment on the effects of improving the hot spots, energy-saving, and temperature-rise suppression during air-conditioner shutdown in the case that each method is applied. A practical example of installing the cold aisle capping in an existing equipment room is also described.