Mero-Schmidlin has recently completed a number of interesting projects in the UK. Here DCM looks at the recently installed panels at IBM and Johnson Controls A common problem with existing and new data centres is the amount of heat that is produced by equipment, even with the most current data halls it seems your servers can never have enough cool air. Mero-TSK a manufacturer of Access Floors has for a number of years been producing an all steel perforated air supply panel, commonly used on the continent.

With several variations available our standard units offer free airflow from 16 % to 40%, with very strong loading criteria not to mention finishes they offer a distinct advantage over that of aluminium bar type grille often seen installed. Hit and miss dampers can also be provided to fine-tune airflow.

The most commonly used perforated panel has been independently tested by a UKAS accredited test house meeting the test requirements under BSEN 13264/2001 Mounted air terminal device, this means to the un-initiated the heaviest loading capacity that one could expect to have within a data centre environment.
The panel is extremely strong and of all steel construction with a conductive black powder coat finish it also has great aesthetics to the eye, they can also be provided with co-ordinated finish to match your floor panels of either Vinyl, High

Pressure laminate or carpet, these finishes also allows you to reduce noise within the environment, as they do not ‘rattle’ when trafficked or ‘drum’ with the flow of air from a plenum floor.

Tested to fire standards class A1 also means it has a much higher melting point should a fire break out under your floor, not only will it not melt, unlike aluminium but it will also aid to maintain the fire break and prevent fire creep through floor openings.

Recently Mero-Schmidlin UK was asked by Johnson Controls to provide 600 such units for a floor replacement project on behalf of IBM at their Hursley site Hampshire, England. The panels had to be made to suit a specific depth to match those panels that were trapped by equipment, special packers were factory welded to the units to ensure a good fit was achieved.
Jon Thompson – North & Nordics Technical Services at IBM UK, commented  ‘The Mero perforated panels were chosen for their robustness and durability’ having previously been used by IBM in Europe. The Mero perforated panel has undergone independent testing and has made it onto their ‘preferred’ product list.

Jem Avery - JCL project manager said ‘he was pleased with the quality of product and service provided by Mero- Schmidlin UK plc.’

Neil Burrows, sales manager for Mero-Schmidlin UK Plc commented ‘ We were pleased to be able to assist both IBM and JCL on this challenging project and look forward to being able to service their future requirements.

For more information please visit us at www.mero-schmidlin.com where we would be pleased to assist you with existing floors or new data centre projects, the company also has a contracting division who can take on a complete turnkey project for you.