Frames & Beams
Frame end structures with keyhole-slot uprights and telescopic beams that span the aisle and support the roof — the structural skeleton of the containment, sized to your rack rows and aisle width.
Data Center · Cooling
Aisle
Aisle
Containment
Fabrication
Custom hot aisle and cold aisle containment — frames, roof panels, doors, and filler panels in steel and aluminum. Modular, freestanding construction for buyer-defined layouts. We build the sheet metal structure; you integrate transparent panels, brush seals, sensors and controls, and your thermal consultant owns performance verification.
✓ Buyer-owned energy model
✓ Modular & freestanding
✓ Hot & cold aisle
RFQ thermal inputs
OEM
Energy Model Owner
2
Hot & Cold Aisle
Modular
Freestanding Kits
RFQ
Installation Plan
01 / What We Fabricate
The Containment Structure — Where Cooling Efficiency Starts
Containment works by physically separating hot and cold air so they can't mix. We fabricate the modular sheet metal structure — the frames, beams, roof panels, and doors that form the barrier over and around your aisles.
Roof Panels
Roof panel frames that close the top of the aisle, plus filler and magnetic gap panels that seal the space between the beam and the top of the rack cabinets.
Doors
Sliding and hinged aisle-end doors — single or double, with key-locking provisions — that close the ends of the contained aisle while allowing personnel access.
Filler & Blanking Panels
Panels that close gaps between racks, above partial-height rows, and at obstructions — eliminating the leakage paths that undermine containment performance.
Our scope: the sheet metal containment structure
We fabricate the containment structure — frames, beams, roof panel frames, doors, and filler panels — laser-cut, formed, welded, and finished as modular kits with assembly hardware. Bought-out items such as transparent roof glazing (polycarbonate/glass), brush seals and gaskets, temperature and airflow sensors, lighting, fire-suppression drop-away mechanisms, and monitoring systems are integrated by you or your specialist supplier. We build the structure with provisions sized to your racks, aisle, and chosen components.
02 / Containment Types
Hot Aisle, Cold Aisle, and the Components
We fabricate the structure for both containment strategies and the door and roof options that suit your facility.
Cold Aisle Cold Aisle Containment
Encloses the cold aisle so chilled supply air goes straight to the IT equipment intakes, with the rest of the room as the warm return — ideal for raised-floor facilities.
- Encloses Cold supply aisle
- Best for Raised-floor sites
- Benefit Direct cold delivery
Hot Aisle Hot Aisle Containment
Captures hot exhaust air and directs it back to the cooling units, keeping the rest of the room cool — preferred for high-density environments and maximum containment performance.
- Encloses Hot exhaust aisle
- Best for High density
- Benefit Max performance
Doors Sliding & Hinged Doors
Aisle-end door assemblies — sliding single/double or hinged dual doors — with key-locking provisions and brush-seal mounting to close the aisle while allowing access.
- Types Sliding, hinged
- Config Single / double
- Feature Key-locking
Roof & Fillers Roof & Filler Panels
Roof panel frames and gap/filler panels that close the top of the aisle and seal between racks — including provisions for transparent glazing where you specify it.
- Closes Aisle top & gaps
- Options Glazing provisions
- Feature Magnetic fillers
03 / Technical Capabilities
Modular, Adaptable, and Field-Ready
A containment system has to fit your racks and aisle exactly, install fast in a live room, and seal well. Here's what we fabricate to.
| Materials | Cold-rolled steel and aluminum framing; steel/aluminum panels and doors |
|---|---|
| Construction | Modular kits — frame ends, telescopic beams, roof panels, doors — with assembly hardware |
| Mounting | Freestanding (concrete slab) or rack/structure-mounted, to your facility |
| Adjustability | Telescopic beams and configurable frames for standard and non-standard aisle widths |
| Doors | Sliding single/double and hinged dual, with key-locking provisions |
| Sealing Provisions | Mounting for brush seals, gaskets, and magnetic filler panels (seals supplied separately) |
| Glazing Provisions | Roof and door frames sized for transparent polycarbonate/glass (glazing supplied separately) |
| Finishing | Powder coat (RAL match), data-center white or black common |
| Adaptability | Configures around obstructions; expandable without rebuilding installed sections |
We fabricate the containment structure to your rack and aisle dimensions, with provisions for glazing, seals, and accessories. Transparent panels, brush seals, sensors, lighting, and fire-suppression mechanisms are integrated by you or your specialist supplier.
04 / Manufacturing Process
From Sheet to Containment Kit
Containment has to fit your aisle precisely and assemble cleanly on site. Our process delivers modular kits that drop into place.
01
DFM & Layout
Review your rack rows, aisle width, ceiling height, and obstructions — confirm containment type, door configuration, and the modular layout.
02
Laser Cutting
Fiber laser cutting of frame members, beams, panel frames, and door components — with mounting holes and provisions for seals and glazing.
03
Forming
CNC press-brake forming of frames, panels, and door sections — accurate bends so modular components fit together cleanly on site.
04
Welding & Assembly
Welding frame structures, assembling door mechanisms (slide/hinge), and fitting keyhole slots and hardware for fast field installation.
05
Finishing
Powder coat in your data-center color (white/black/RAL), with a clean, durable finish suited to the controlled environment.
06
Kitting & Inspection
Dimensional inspection, fit check, and organization into modular kits with assembly hardware — ready for step-by-step on-site installation.
05 / Why It Matters
Why Containment Pays for Itself
Containment is one of the highest-ROI moves in a data center. Four reasons it matters — and why the structure quality counts.
Buyer-Owned Energy Model
Containment can reduce hot- and cold-air mixing, but energy savings depend on the facility, controls and operating conditions. The buyer or thermal consultant owns the performance model and verification.
Capacity Planning Input
Rack density, airflow and cooling capacity must be validated as a complete facility system. DRAmetal supplies only the released mechanical containment scope.
Seal Interfaces by Drawing
Frames, panels and filler interfaces can be manufactured to released dimensions. Leakage limits, field penetrations and final airflow acceptance remain buyer-defined.
Modular Installation Planning
Module sizes, obstructions, sequencing and live- site constraints should be defined before quotation. Installation duration is confirmed only from the released site plan and scope.
Customer Project
Data Center Aisle Containment: Roof Release Integration
Materials, fabrication decisions and results for an anonymous customer project.
Component reference image
The Customer Challenge
The containment roof did not release reliably during fire-system activation or abnormal temperature conditions.
Project Measurements & Details
≤5 secondsRoof-release response
0.1–0.2Recorded PUE reduction
1,200 mmAisle width
Results apply to the project configuration described on the linked page.
Explore Customer Projects → 07 / Why Choose Us
Why Operators Trust DRAmetal for Containment
01
Data center expertise
Part of a full data-center range — racks, cable management, busbar, manifolds, and now containment.
02
Modular kits
Frame ends, telescopic beams, roof panels, and doors, kitted with hardware for fast step-by-step install.
03
Hot & cold aisle
Structures for both strategies, with the door and roof options to match your facility and density.
04
Adaptable fit
Telescopic beams and configurable frames for standard and non-standard widths, around obstructions.
05
Integration-ready
Provisions for glazing, brush seals, sensors, and accessories sized to your chosen components.
06
Prototype to scale
From a single aisle to a full data hall rollout, with consistent fit and DFM feedback.
08 / Related
Explore More
09 / FAQ
Aisle Containment FAQ
Do you supply the complete containment system or just the structure?
We fabricate the sheet metal containment structure — frames, telescopic beams, roof panel frames, doors, and filler panels — as modular kits with assembly hardware. Transparent roof glazing (polycarbonate or glass), brush seals and gaskets, temperature/airflow sensors, lighting, and fire-suppression drop-away mechanisms are integrated by you or your specialist supplier. We build the structure with provisions sized for these components.
Hot aisle or cold aisle — which should I choose?
Cold aisle containment encloses the cold supply aisle and works well with raised-floor facilities. Hot aisle containment captures the exhaust and is often preferred for high-density environments and maximum performance. The choice depends on your facility's cooling infrastructure and density — we fabricate the structure for both.
How much energy can containment save?
Containment can reduce hot- and cold-air mixing, but no fixed energy reduction or payback applies across facilities. Your operator or thermal consultant must model and verify the configured system using actual airflow, controls, load and operating conditions.
Can it be installed in a live data center?
The installation sequence and outage window are project-defined by the operator and installer. Modular frames can be planned around documented equipment and obstructions; site surveys, anchoring and safe work methods remain with the responsible site parties.
Can you fit non-standard aisle widths and obstructions?
Yes — telescopic beams and configurable frames adapt to standard and non-standard aisle widths, and the design accommodates obstructions and unique facility constraints. Send us your layout and we'll configure the structure to fit.
What's your minimum order quantity?
We support everything from a single aisle to a full data hall rollout. Send us your rack layout and requirements and we'll confirm MOQ and pricing for your project.
Get Started
Need Aisle Containment
Need Aisle Containment
Fabricated?
Send us your rack layout, aisle dimensions, and containment strategy. Our engineering team will review the submitted information and, where the scope is complete, provide a DFM review, a modular layout and door recommendation, and a quote for the sheet metal containment structure.
✓ RFQ-based DFM review ✓ Buyer-owned energy model ✓ Modular kits ✓ Integration-ready