Data Center Containment Solutions

Build Smarter, Cooler, Safer Data Centers

Farco Plastics supplies high‑performance materials and custom fabrication
to optimize aisle containment, improve energy efficiency and protect your servers.

Why Aisle Containment Matters

As the demand for data storage and compute power soars, modern data centers face growing pressure to operate efficiently, safely and sustainably. Aisle containment—a system of physical barriers that separates hot exhaust air from cold supply airflow—has emerged as one of the most effective strategies for regulating internal temperatures and protecting sensitive electronics. By preventing hot and cold air from mixing, containment reduces HVAC workload, lowers energy use, and extends equipment lifespan.

  • Lower energy consumption and reduced cooling costs
  • Improved system reliability and uptime
  • Extended equipment lifespan

Why Aisle Containment Matters

As the demand for data storage and compute power soars, modern data centers face growing pressure to operate efficiently, safely and sustainably. Aisle containment—a system of physical barriers that separates hot exhaust air from cold supply airflow—has emerged as one of the most effective strategies for regulating internal temperatures and protecting sensitive electronics. By preventing hot and cold air from mixing, containment reduces HVAC workload, lowers energy use, and extends equipment lifespan.

  • Lower energy consumption and reduced cooling costs
  • Improved system reliability and uptime
  • Extended equipment lifespan

Why Choose Plastics for Containment

Energy Efficiency

Plastics form durable, airtight barriers that minimize thermal loss and ease the burden on cooling systems. Proper aisle containment with engineered plastics can cut HVAC energy consumption by up to 40%.

Design Flexibility

High‑performance plastics can be cut, thermoformed and fabricated to match any facility layout. You can retrofit existing racks or build new configurations without expensive structural changes.

Optical Clarity & Privacy

Choose from crystal‑clear polycarbonate and PVC for full visibility or light‑diffusing multi‑wall sheets for privacy. You get the right balance of monitoring and confidentiality.

Safety & Durability

Engineered plastics offer impact resistance, flame retardancy and thermal insulation to protect IT equipment and meet ASTM E84 Class A fire and smoke standards.

Popular Materials for Aisle Containment

  • Multi‑Wall Polycarbonate

    Lightweight yet tough, multi‑wall polycarbonate provides excellent insulation, privacy and dimensional stability even at high temperatures. Common thicknesses (6 mm and 8 mm) are Class A fire rated and ideal for ceiling and side panels.

  • Polycarbonate Sheets

    Virtually unbreakable monolithic polycarbonate sheets offer optical clarity, fire resistance and easy formability —perfect for clear doors or walls requiring unobstructed visibility.

  • Clear PVC

    Clear PVC panels deliver high clarity, impact resistance and chemical durability. They’re an economical choice for lightweight barriers in areas where transparency is essential.

  • GPO‑3 Electrical Insulation

    GPO‑3 provides flame resistance, mechanical strength and high thermal performance for electrical isolation. Use it to separate busbars and high‑voltage components within your containment system.

Choosing the Right Solution

Every data center has unique requirements. When selecting materials for your containment system, consider the following:

  • Compliance: Ensure panels meet ASTM E84 Class A standards for fire and smoke.
  • Visibility: Decide whether you need clear sightlines to equipment (monolithic polycarbonate or PVC) or prefer privacy (multi‑wall polycarbonate).
  • Retrofitting: Select materials that can be cut or thermoformed to fit existing racks and HVAC layouts.
  • Thermal & Electrical Performance: Evaluate insulation properties and, for high‑voltage areas, consider GPO‑3 for safe electrical isolation.

Why Farco Plastics

Farco Plastics goes beyond supply—we provide custom solutions. As part of one of the world's largest plastics distributors, we offer a vast inventory of polycarbonate, PVC, GPO‑3 and other engineered materials. Our in‑house fabrication capabilities deliver cut‑to‑size panels, custom‑formed doors and bespoke components, saving you time and ensuring a precise fit for your project.

Where competitors simply sell materials, Farco Plastics partners with you to design, build and scale aisle containment systems. Our experts help you balance compliance, visibility, thermal performance and budget, ensuring your data center operates cooler, safer and more efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of panels are best for data center containment?

Multi‑wall polycarbonate panels are ideal for containment walls and ceilings because their layered structure insulates against heat transfer and meets ASTM E84 Class A standards. Use monolithic polycarbonate or clear PVC when visibility is essential.

Why use polycarbonate twinwall panels for server racks?

Twinwall panels have hollow channels that improve airflow and dissipate heat around servers. This design helps maintain stable temperatures and reduces the risk of overheating in dense rack configurations.

How do turtle‑shell and umbrella covers protect equipment?

Cold‑formable twinwall polycarbonate can be shaped into curved covers that shield servers from water, dust and debris while allowing visibility. These covers are lightweight and easy to remove for maintenance.

What is the difference between hot and cold aisle containment?

Hot aisle containment directs hot exhaust air from server racks into a sealed aisle that returns it to cooling units, while cold aisle containment encloses the cold air pathway to server intakes. Both strategies prevent mixing and improve cooling efficiency.