Global supplier of data center infrastructure, Minkels, part of the publicly traded company Legrand (NYSE Euronext Paris: LR), has announced an extension to its data center security portfolio with the launch of its Drop Away Panels. Drop Away Panels are specifically designed roof panels for data center aisle containment to enhance fire safety within data center environments.
Global demand for data center security and safety solutions is rapidly on the rise (Gartner, 2015 CIO Survey and Forrester, Sizing the cloud security market). Minkels also recognizes this trend. With this product portfolio expansion, Minkels is responding to the worldwide increased demand for security and safety solutions in data centers.
“Under the influence of the cloud, there is a growing focus on data center security solutions,” said Bas Jacobs, Product Manager, Minkels. “Demand for data center security and safety solutions is amplified by an increased focus on security topics within the European EN 50600 data center standard.”
The initial customer demand that led to the introduction of the Drop Away Panels originated in the United Kingdom. Some of Minkels customers in the UK, where Minkels has one of its European sales offices located, were in need of roof assemblies like the Drop Away Panels to meet ‘FM Global’ insurance requirements. According to Minkels, Drop Away Panels do significantly enhance fire safety within data center environments while ensuring energy efficiency requirements.
Drop Away Panels are specifically designed roof panels for aisle containment solutions (Free Standing Cold Corridor and Next Generation Cold Corridor, also retrofit applicable). Drop Away Panels make it possible to use these corridors in combination with water fire extinguishing systems with sprinklers. When temperature gets above 65 degrees, the plastic frames of the Drop Away Panels automatically soften and the lightweight panels will drop down to make way for the water sprinklers or water mist systems. This solution is now available globally.
Read more about the Drop Away Panels in Minkels Magazine 2016-1, page 28 and 29: http://www.minkels.com/magazine_EN_2016-1.
Minkels is a knowledge-driven manufacturer and global supplier of modular total solutions for data center infrastructure. The Minkels brand is part of the product portfolio of Legrand, a publicly traded company with offices in more than 180 countries and a revenue of 4.8 billion euros in 2015. Legrand markets a range of low voltage equipment and data networks from different manufacturers for the housing, utility construction and industrial sectors.
