Data Center Ceiling Grid Solutions

The turnkey ceiling grid approach for XSite to data centers and landing stations includes prefabrication of the modular buildings off-site in the U.S., shipment of the units to their eventual site, and re-assembly at the project location.

In addition to that, they also needed a solution that could withstand seismic shifts or changes due to all of the movement from site to site. A traditional grid system would require too many repairs for this to be a worthwhile endeavor.

According to XSite President, Amy Marks, the firm is always looking for ways to reduce costs to the client both at the manufacturing plant and at the final destination.

With their recent cable landing station modules in Brazil, XSite found the PRELUDE XL Max ceiling grid system and started incorporating it into its process.

The suspension system uses threaded rod connections and integrated hanging clips to provide reconfigurable support for overhead cable trays, bus bars, hot aisle containment, and other data center components anywhere along the suspension system face without the need to penetrate the ceiling plane.

According to Mike Hathaway, XSite Vice President of Operations, the flexibility the suspension system provides is one reason it was introduced. “Technology is constantly changing. As a result, clients continually have to move or upgrade equipment. The ability to easily move cable trays along with the equipment without penetrating the ceiling is a huge benefit to the client.”

The system’s load-bearing capability was also a consideration. “Most cable distribution now occurs overhead. Consequently, as facilities get denser, more cabling in an area is needed, resulting in more load on the ceiling. In that regard, the load bearing capability of the Prelude XL Max grid is excellent. Considering the load that can be supported by the system, we were surprised with the flexibility it provides.”

Previous to the change, XSite had used hard ceilings in the past. However, because of current changes in cooling systems, more data centers are now utilizing plenum systems for supply or return. XSite found it easier, cleaner, and less costly to include a ceiling plenum, rather than the hard ceiling.

Looking back on the introduction of the ceiling suspension system to its cable landing stations, President Amy Marks adds, “We also consult on prefabricated modular data centers used in other markets such as healthcare, and the suspension system offers the same benefits in these applications as well. As a result, it should be well received.”

“The load bearing capability of the Prelude XL Max grid is excellent. Considering the load that can be supported by the system, we were surprised with the flexibility it provides”