Cold Aisle Containment: Boost Data Centre Efficiency with Westgate

Cold aisle containment is a method used in data centres to improve cooling performance by enclosing the cold aisle, the area where servers draw in chilled air. This simple yet effective system prevents cold intake air from mixing with hot exhaust air. By keeping cold and hot airflows separate, cold aisle containment ensures that equipment receives a steady supply of cool air and helps maintain consistent conditions across the data hall.

Airflow management is vital for any data centre. Without proper containment, cold air escapes into the wider space and mixes with hot air. This makes cooling systems work harder, pushing up energy use, costs and strain on hardware. Cold aisle containment provides a smart solution that improves temperature control, protects equipment and helps reduce running costs.

Westgate is a trusted provider of temporary and flexible cold aisle containment solutions. Their systems support data centres in meeting operational, financial and environmental goals.

The importance of airflow management in data centres

Modern data centres are packed with high-powered servers, storage units and network equipment that run around the clock. These systems generate large amounts of heat that must be controlled to keep operations stable. As data centres grow in size and complexity, managing cooling becomes a major challenge. Without effective airflow management, cooling systems struggle to keep up, leading to uneven temperatures and unnecessary energy use.

Poor airflow allows hot and cold air to mix. This creates hot spots where equipment overheats and risks failure. At the same time, cooling units need to work harder to compensate, driving up energy consumption and costs. Over time, this puts additional strain on critical hardware, reduces lifespan and increases the risk of downtime.

Today’s data centre operators are under pressure to balance performance with sustainability. Energy prices are rising, and environmental targets are tighter than ever. Smart airflow management, including cold aisle containment, helps data centres meet these demands by improving efficiency, reducing waste and supporting greener operations. It is a key part of modern data centre design, helping operators achieve both operational and environmental goals.

What is cold aisle containment?

Cold aisle containment is a cooling strategy used in data centres to separate cold intake air from hot exhaust air. It works by physically enclosing the cold aisle, which is the space where servers pull in chilled air to keep internal components at a safe operating temperature. By preventing cold air from escaping and mixing with hot air, cold aisle containment helps maintain a consistent and efficient cooling environment.

Set-ups can vary depending on the data centre’s needs. Permanent cold aisle containment systems often use fixed panels, doors and roof structures to create a sealed cold aisle in live environments. These are ideal for long-term airflow management. Temporary systems, such as those offered by Westgate, provide a flexible and non-destructive solution that can be installed during commissioning, upgrades or short-term projects.

Cold aisle containment is often chosen over hot aisle containment when the goal is to maintain a chilled environment around sensitive equipment or when site conditions make cold aisle control more practical. It is particularly useful in facilities where the cooling system is designed to flood the space with cold air, as containment keeps this air focused where it is needed most.

Westgate’s cold aisle containment solutions

With over 45 years of experience supporting mission-critical environments, Westgate is a trusted name in airflow management solutions for data centres. The company understands the unique challenges that come with managing heat in complex facilities and provides tailored systems that help operators improve efficiency and reliability.

Westgate’s Flexiscreen system can be adapted for cold aisle containment, offering a simple and effective way to manage airflow during key project phases. Designed for temporary use, Flexiscreen creates an enclosed cold aisle without the need for permanent fixings or alterations to the building. This makes it an ideal solution for sites that require flexibility, speed and minimal disruption.

Key features of Westgate’s cold aisle containment systems include:

• Custom-fit, modular design that can be adjusted to suit specific spaces and changing needs
  
• Quick, damage-free installation that preserves the integrity of walls, ceilings and floors
  
• Reusable and relocatable panels that reduce waste and support sustainability goals
  
• High performance in demanding environments, providing reliable containment during commissioning, upgrades and testing

   

Westgate’s cold aisle containment solutions are typically deployed during data centre commissioning, capacity upgrades, refurbishments or short-term operational changes. They help operators maintain cooling efficiency while keeping project timelines on track.

When to choose temporary cold aisle containment

Temporary cold aisle containment offers a flexible and practical solution for data centres at key stages of development or change. One of the most common uses is during heat load testing and commissioning. At this stage, operators need to verify that cooling systems can handle the planned workload before the facility goes live. A temporary cold aisle setup creates a controlled environment for accurate testing and helps ensure any issues are identified and addressed early.

Refits, expansions and capacity upgrades are also ideal situations for temporary containment. When a site is being modified or partially developed, permanent containment may not yet be practical. A flexible system allows operators to maintain cooling efficiency throughout the process without delaying progress.

Temporary cold aisle containment is especially valuable when sites need non-destructive solutions. Westgate’s Flexiscreen panels install without causing damage to the building, making them suitable for high-value environments or leased spaces. They are also easy to remove when no longer needed.

Many data centres today have a strong focus on sustainability. Temporary containment supports this by offering reusable and relocatable panels that reduce waste. This helps sites meet environmental targets while maintaining high standards of operational performance.

Key benefits of Westgate’s containment systems

Westgate’s temporary cold aisle containment systems provide a range of benefits that help data centres operate more efficiently and sustainably. One of the most important advantages is enhanced cooling performance. By keeping cold air focused where it is needed most, the system prevents hot and cold air from mixing. This improves cooling efficiency, protects equipment and reduces the risk of hot spots.

With better airflow control, data centres can lower their energy consumption. This not only helps reduce running costs but also supports environmental goals by cutting carbon emissions.

Westgate’s solutions are designed for quick, damage-free installation. This means minimal disruption to ongoing operations and faster project timelines. Operators can keep their data centres running smoothly while upgrading capacity or completing essential works.

For operators managing multiple sites or international projects, Westgate ensures consistent quality. Their systems are adaptable to different environments and are backed by extensive experience in delivering reliable solutions across Europe.

Waste reduction is another key strength. Westgate’s reusable and relocatable panels help data centres cut down on single-use materials. This supports sustainability efforts and ensures that temporary containment systems can be deployed again for future needs.

Final thoughts

Cold aisle containment plays a vital role in improving cooling efficiency and protecting valuable equipment in modern data centres. By keeping cold air separate from hot exhaust air, it ensures that cooling systems work effectively, energy is used wisely and hardware stays safe from unnecessary strain. Whether for new builds, upgrades or temporary testing phases, cold aisle containment helps data centres achieve high standards of performance.

Westgate offers flexible and proven cold aisle containment solutions that meet the demands of today’s fast-moving data centre sector. With over 45 years of experience, they provide systems that are reliable, reusable and easy to install without causing damage.

If you are planning your next data centre project or want advice on the best containment strategy, contact Westgate today. Their experts are ready to help you find a solution that fits your site’s needs and supports your efficiency and sustainability targets.