Why Raised Access Flooring Is Essential for Modern Data Centres in 2025

In the high-stakes world of data centres, where uptime, efficiency, and futureproofing are critical, the choice of flooring can make or break operations. That’s why raised access flooring has become the industry standard — not just for cable management, but for thermal efficiency, maintenance, and more.

In this guide, we’ll explore exactly why data centres depend on raised floors — and how to choose the right system.

1. Cooling Efficiency & Airflow Management

Raised floors create a service void that acts as a cold air plenum. HVAC systems deliver cool air through perforated panels exactly where it’s needed — under high-density server racks.

• Improves PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness)
• Reduces energy costs

Pro tip: Choose panels with vented or perforated finishes for better airflow balance.

2. Flexible Cable & Power Routing

As your server room evolves, so does your cabling. Raised access flooring gives IT teams complete flexibility to run:

• Fibre optics
• Ethernet
• Power cabling
• Fire suppression conduits

Need to upgrade or reroute later? No problem — just lift a panel.

3. Load Capacity for Server Racks

Heavy-duty data racks demand high-strength panels. Steel-encapsulated panels offer industry-leading structural performance with load classes up to 13kN/m², depending on your configuration.

Look for PSA MOB PF2 PS/SPU certified panels for maximum reliability.

4. Anti-Static & Grounding Protection

Prevent costly hardware failures or data loss with electrostatically dissipative (ESD) flooring. Anti-static properties are built into the surface finish or top layer — especially important in high-density computing environments.

5. Maintenance & Uptime Advantages

Access floors reduce downtime by allowing rapid intervention. Need to swap a cable or inspect a power bank? No drilling, no trenching. Just pop the panel and get to work.

Ready to Design Your Data Centre Floor?

Whether you're fitting out a new facility or upgrading an old one, we supply fully certified, load-tested raised flooring systems for high-performance data centres.

Explore Our Data Centre Access Flooring Options

FAQs

What type of raised flooring is best for data centres?

Steel-encapsulated panels with anti-static finishes are generally preferred due to their strength and grounding performance.

How is airflow managed through raised flooring?

Cold air is directed under the floor and distributed through perforated panels to optimize cooling under specific racks.

What load should data centre panels support?

Data centres typically require raised floors to support 8–13kN/m² or more. Always check the load class certification (PSA or EN).

Related Resources

• Steel Encapsulated Panel (31mm Non-Screw)
• Steel Encapsulated Panel (Screw-Down)
• PSA Adjustable Pedestal (75–115mm)

Still have questions? Contact our expert team or view our Data Centre Flooring options here.