Rolling Door and Fire Protection Solutions for Data Centers
In data center design, there are non-negotiable requirements. Buildings are constructed with reliable and secure closures that serve three major functions: sealing the building's envelope for environmental control, providing robust fire protection, and dependable security. Expertly engineered, Cornell fire-rated doors for data centers don't just meet compliance standards—they surpass them, ensuring reliable, high-performance protection.
Low U-Factor Insulated Rolling Doors for Upper Floor Loading Bays
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the cooling necessary to protect sensitive data center equipment can represent as much as 40% of its total utility costs.
The Thermiser Max® – Low U Door is engineered for the most demanding environments, making it the ideal choice for the upper levels of your data center. With an exceptionally low U-factor of 0.532, it sets a new standard in thermal efficiency.
Our energy-efficient data center doors are a testament to meticulous engineering. A mineral wool-insulated curtain, advanced perimeter seals, and strategic thermal breaks work together to minimize heat transfer, maintaining stable indoor temperatures and protecting servers and equipment from the risk of overheating.
The Thermiser Max – Low U Door also offers sound attenuation, with an available Sound Transmission Rating of 27*. It can be labeled to meet ASHRAE 90.1, IECC 2021, and California’s Title 24, and can be configured to meet wind load requirements up to 20 PSF.
*For the full assembly, when configured with 18-Gauge steel front slats.
Alarm-Activated Rolling Fire Doors with Rated Smoke Protection for Data Pods
Safeguarding your sensitive IT equipment leaves no room for error. The Rolling Fire Door—with the AlarmGard Motor and SmokeShield® package is a precision-engineered solution for reliable fire protection.
When a fire alarm is triggered or power is unexpectedly lost within a pod, the integrated AlarmGard Motor and SmokeShield package activates. The system automatically closes your fire door, sealing the pod, protecting your critical infrastructure and giving first responders time to act.
After the alarm is cleared or power is restored, the fire doors will automatically reset. With a fail-safe design and automatic reset, your doors adapt to emergencies and get you back to normal operation quickly.
Smoke and Fire Protection for Elevator Shafts
During a fire, hot air rises, quickly creating a hazardous situation, making it hard to breathe, blocking evacuation paths, and accelerating the fire’s spread. That’s where SmokeShield® Elevator Smoke Curtain comes in. It’s designed to seal and compartmentalize your elevator opening, stopping the chimney effect of smoke spreading through a building and hindering evacuations and fire suppression efforts.
After your elevator cycles, the SmokeShield system deploys your smoke curtain. Then, our GuideLock™ technology forms a tight barrier across the elevator door opening. This system ensures that your hoistway remains protected, even after it has been opened for emergency use. The SmokeShield Elevator Smoke Curtain also features a manual override, enabling building occupants or firefighters to activate a switch on the curtain to open it for evacuation or to clear the hoistway for first responders.
Selecting a Door for Your Data Center
A door is so much more than a means of entry—it's a key design element that brings function, style, and peace of mind. The same is true for a modern data center. Going beyond essential roles in fire safety and climate control, modern doors are available with advanced features, styles, and durability options.
Here are some features to think about:
- Flexible installation: Steel doors can be installed on the face of a wall or between jambs, making them compatible with interior and exterior walls and common construction types, including masonry, structural steel, and drywall assemblies using wood or steel studs.
- High-cycle durability: Look for a door that's built to last. With a springless design, high-performance rolling doors can be rated for over a million cycles, extending their operational life and minimizing downtime for maintenance.
- Seismic compliance: For data centers located in earthquake-prone areas, make sure doors have been evaluated for seismic compliance. Rolling doors can be evaluated for compliance with the ASCE 7-05 seismic requirements.
- Dependable seals: Rolling doors are available with an insulated bottom bar with a foam seal that conforms to floor irregularities on both the interior and exterior sides of the door, ensuring a reliable fit without requiring excessive bottom limit adjustments.
- Wind Load: In areas prone to extreme weather, a door's ability to withstand high winds is non-negotiable. Our doors are designed to handle a full spectrum of wind load requirements, from standard features to high-performance models for the most severe conditions. This includes doors with specific certifications, such as Miami-Dade and Tornado-Rated designs. Our products are rigorously tested to meet various performance criteria, including those from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and ANSI/DASMA.
- Aesthetics and customization: A door can be both functional and beautifully designed. Our wide selection of aesthetics and customization options allows you to make a bold statement or create a perfectly coordinated look. You can choose from more than 180 powder-coated colors, plus extra-durable finishes for doors exposed to harsher outdoor elements, ensuring your final design is a true reflection of your vision.
With countless customization options, you have full control—from the door's operation method to design. This ensures your new door will not only elevate your daily operations but also deliver a touch of style that lasts for years.
Contact your local Cornell Authorized Dealer today to discuss your commercial door needs and request a quote.
Are you an architect looking for specification help and product resources? Contact our Architectural Design Support team.
