FM Approvals has certified data center infrastructure solutions provider
Minkels’ ‘Drop Away Panels’. Minkels, a Legrand brand, has headquarters in Veghel, Netherlands. With a presence in the UK, France, Switzerland and Belgium, the company is a “manufacturer and global supplier of total solutions for data center infrastructure”. Its offerings include cooling solutions (VariCondition), housing solutions (Varicon), power distribution solutions (VariconPower) and monitoring solutions (VariControl). Minkels is the only European data center provider to receive FM Approval in class 4651 - Suspended Plastic Ceilings.
FM Approvals is part of global insurance company FM Global. It has developed around 200 ‘Approval Standards’ with criteria that apply across a wide range of products and services. The organization has a five-step approval process measured against “the highest level of testing standards”.
Minkels’ Drop Away Panels were introduced in 2016 and are designed to enhance data center fire safety capabilities. The panels are available globally with demand mainly stemming from the United States and the United Kingdom - insurance contracts for data center buildings in these countries stipulate the need for sprinkler and water mist systems. Requirements for data center buildings in Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands are very soon likely to follow suit.
“Drop Away Panels are specifically designed roof panels for aisle containment,” explained Minkels’ Product Manager, Bas Jacobs. “In case of fire in the data center, the Drop Away Panels automatically soften and drop down so that they won’t be an obstacle before the sprinklers are activated.” He added, “Products with the ‘FM Approved’ mark meet the highest standards for safety and property loss prevention. Minkels is the only data center supplier in Europe that has received FM Approval in class 4651 (Suspended Plastic Ceilings). Minkels is enormously pleased with the certification. It is a confirmation of our commitment to quality and safety in the data center.”
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