Abstract:
An aisle containment system is provided. The aisle containment system includes a pair of wall beams suspended from a ceiling, a pair of floor tracks positioned beneath the wall beams and secured to a floor, and at least one blanking panel secured to one of the wall beams and one of the floor tracks.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/635,577, filed Apr. 19, 2012 and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to aisle containment systems and, more particularly, to scalable and adjustable ceiling supported cold aisle containment systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There is a need for cold aisle containment systems where the basic structure of the system is easily installed prior to the majority of cabinets being in place. It would also be beneficial to have a containment system that is adjustable to take into account the future installation of cabinets of varying sizes and where cabinets can be easily added or removed without major reconfiguration of the structure. It would also be beneficial if the cold aisle containment system could be secured to the structure of a typical drop ceiling to aid in the ease of installation. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to a ceiling supported cold aisle containment system. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a cold aisle containment system comprises a plurality of floor tracks secured to a raised floor grid and a plurality of wall beams positioned above the floor tracks and supported from the structure of a drop ceiling. Blanking panels are disposed side by side, extend between the floor tracks and the wall beams, and are secured to the floor tracks and wall beams. A ceiling tile support system extends between the wall beams and supports a plurality of ceiling tiles. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the blanking panels of the cold aisle containment system comprises fixed blanking panels and adjustable blanking panels. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the ceiling tile support system of the cold aisle containment system comprises a plurality of tee beams extending between and perpendicular to the wall beams and a plurality of center beams extending between and perpendicular to the tee beams. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the cold aisle containment system further comprises a plurality of corner cabinets positioned at the ends of the containment system and end of row doors, which are supported by the corner cabinets and positioned at the ends of the containment system. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the cold aisle containment system further comprises a plurality of above cabinet blanking panels. Each above cabinet blanking panel has an upper panel that is securable to the wall beams and a lower panel that is vertically adjustable to seal against a corresponding cabinet. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a method of installing a cold aisle containment system comprises the steps of: securing a plurality of floor tracks to a raised floor tile grid; positioning a plurality of wall beams above the floor tracks and supporting the wall beams from the structure of a drop ceiling; securing a plurality of tee beams between the wall beams; positioning a plurality of center beams between the tee beams; positioning a plurality of ceiling tiles between the wall beams, tee beams, and center beams; and securing a plurality of blanking panels side by side between the floor tracks and the wall beams. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an exemplary cold aisle containment system with corner cabinets and end of row doors; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary floor track of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the floor track of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a series of exemplary floor tracks installed on a raised floor tile grid; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged partial view of a floor track shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an exemplary wall beam of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the wall beam of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a series of floor tracks and wall beams installed with corner cabinets; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged exploded view of a series of exemplary wall beams and tee beams of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8A  is an enlarged partial view of a wall beam and tee beam of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged exploded view of a series of exemplary wall beams, tee beams, and cross brackets of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an alternative ceiling tile retainer of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is an exploded partial view of an alternative exemplary ceiling tile retainer and wall beam; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a front view of a ceiling tile being installed between a tee beam and wall beam of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12A  is an enlarged partial view of the tee beam with retention bracket of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12B  is a front view of an L-shaped retention bracket; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a partial front perspective view of a series of ceiling tiles installed between wall beams of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a partial front perspective view of an exemplary adjustable blanking panel being installed between a floor track and wall beam of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14A  is an enlarged partial view of the bottom of the adjustable blanking panel in  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14B  is an enlarged partial view of the top of the adjustable blanking panel in  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is partial exploded side perspective view of exemplary floor skirts of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0033]      FIG. 15A  is an enlarged partial perspective view of a floor skirt of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a side view of an exemplary floor skirt installed against an adjustable blanking panel; 
           [0035]      FIG. 17  is a partial exploded side perspective view of an exemplary upper sealing bracket being installed between a wall beam and an adjustable blanking panel of the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0036]      FIG. 18  is a partial side view of the exemplary upper sealing bracket as installed; 
           [0037]      FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of an exemplary fixed blanking panel; 
           [0038]      FIG. 20A  is a front perspective view of an exemplary adjustable blanking panel in a retracted position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 20B  is a front perspective view of the adjustable blanking panel of  FIG. 20A  in an extended position; 
           [0040]      FIG. 20C  is an exploded front perspective view of the adjustable blanking panel of  FIG. 20A ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20D  is a partial rear view of the adjustable blanking panel of  FIG. 20A  in a fully retracted position; 
           [0042]      FIG. 20E  is a partial rear view of the adjustable blanking panel of  FIG. 20A  in a fully extended position; 
           [0043]      FIG. 21  is a side perspective view of a fully installed cold aisle containment system; 
           [0044]      FIG. 22  is a partial side perspective view of an additional cabinet being installed in the cold aisle containment system; 
           [0045]      FIG. 23  is an exploded side perspective view of an exemplary above cabinet blanking panel; 
           [0046]      FIG. 24  is a side perspective view of the above cabinet blanking panel of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 25  is a side perspective view of the above cabinet blanking panel of  FIG. 23  installed with a wall beam and cabinet; 
           [0048]      FIG. 26  is a side perspective view of two different above cabinet blanking panels installed with a wall beam and different size cabinets; and 
           [0049]      FIG. 27  is a side perspective view of an exemplary cold aisle containment system installed with a plurality of different size cabinets. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a cold aisle containment system  10  is shown installed on a raised floor tile grid  20  with four corner cabinets  30  and end of row doors  40 . The cold aisle containment system  10  allows the basic structure to be erected prior to the majority of the cabinets being in place, allows cabinets to be easily added or removed into the cold aisle containment system  10  without major reconfiguration of the structure, and accepts a wide variety of makes and sizes of cabinets, which is particularly advantageous for pre-configured systems that incorporate computer and storage cabinets of varying widths and heights. Although the embodiments shown and described herein are for a cold aisle containment system, the same structure and arrangement could also be used for a hot aisle containment system or any other type of aisle containment system desired. 
         [0051]    The cold aisle containment system  10  shown in  FIG. 1  generally comprises a series of wall beams  100 , a series of floor tracks  200 , a ceiling tile support system  300 , and a series of blanking panels  400 ,  500 . Wall beams  100  attach to threaded rods  105  that hang from a data center&#39;s ceiling grid system and define the upper limit of the containment system  10 . The floor tracks  200  are positioned directly below the wall beams  100  and run the entire length of the containment system  10 . The blanking panels  400 ,  500  are positioned between and secured to the wall beams  100  and floor tracks  200 , define the containment area, and seal off areas where future cabinets can be installed. At each corner of the containment system  10  are corner cabinets  30 , which are positioned to support end of row doors  40 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the floor tracks  200  are used to support and position the cabinet blanking panels  400 ,  500  and any cabinets that are installed in the containment system  10 .  FIG. 2  is a view looking at the back (cabinet side) of a floor track  200  and  FIG. 3  is a view looking at the front (contained area side) of a floor track  200 . Each floor track  200  is formed from a metal sheet, or other appropriate material, and generally defines a base plate  210 , back wall  220  extending from the base plate  210 , front wall  230 , and connecting wall  240  extending between the back wall  220  and front wall  230 . A series of slots  212  are formed longitudinally along and through base plate  210  and are used to secure the base plate  210  to the raised floor tile grid  20  with screws or other fasteners. Slots  212  are formed along the entire length of base plate  210 , which allows the placement of the screws anywhere along the length of base plate  210  to allow easy positioning and alignment of floor track  200 . 
         [0053]    Threaded holes  222  are formed along the length of back wall  220  and allow the blanking panels  400 ,  500  to be fastened to the floor track  200  for better stability. Holes  232  are also foam in front wall  230  and allow a seal to be attached, which is discussed in more detail below. The profile shape of back wall  220 , front wall  230 , and connecting wall  240  mimics the bottom profile shape of base members  440 ,  520  of the blanking panels  400 ,  500  (see  FIG. 16 ). This allows floor track  200  and blanking panels  400 ,  500  to nest together in a secure fashion. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , to install containment system  10 , multiple floor tracks  200  are positioned on a raised floor tile grid  20 , to form a base for the containment system  10 , and secured with screws (not shown) through slots  212 . Several floor tracks  200  are laid end to end, and a second set of floor tracks  200  are positioned parallel to the first, to define the containment system  10  width and define the edges of the containment perimeter. The length of each parallel track is determined by the desired size of containment system  10  being installed. As shown in  FIG. 4A , in an exemplary installation, the front walls  230  of floor tracks  200  are positioned so that they run along the floor tile edges. This makes floor track  200  placement well defined and simple for an installer and also allows the individual floor tiles located within the containment system  10  to be removed if under floor access is needed. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an exemplary wall beam  100  is shown having a generally L-shaped configuration formed by top wall  120 , front wall  130 , side walls  140 , upper back wall  150 , and lower back wall  160 . Wall beam  100  is connected to threaded rods  105  that drop from a data center&#39;s ceiling grid system and extend through slots  122  formed in top wall  120 . A first series of posts  124 A extend from and are positioned at predetermined intervals along top wall  120  and are used to align and connect cross aisle tee beams  320  of ceiling tile support system  300  to wall beams  100 , as is described in more detail below. A second series of posts  124 B also extend from and are positioned at predetermined intervals along top wall  120  and are used to align and connect ceiling tile retainers  170  to wall beams  100 . Ceiling tile retainers  170  have a generally L-shaped configuration formed by base plate  174  and vertical wall  172  and are used to prevent or limit the horizontal movement of an installed ceiling tile  50 . A pair of tabs  176  (see  FIG. 8A ) extend from base plate  174  and have apertures therethrough that engage posts  124 B to align and secure ceiling tile retainers to wall beams  100 . A series of threaded holes  132  can also be formed through front wall  130  for use in securing alternative ceiling tile retainers  330  to wall beams  100 , as described in more detail below. A series of threaded holes  162  are also formed through lower back wall  160  and are used to connect blanking panels  400 ,  500  to wall beams  100 . Threaded holes  162  are spaced at regular increments, preferably 50 mm, to allow blanking panels  400 ,  500  to be installed as needed anywhere in the containment system  10 . 
         [0056]    Wall beams  100  are modular and are sized to be handled by a single installer. As with floor tracks  200 , the size of the particular containment system  10  being installed dictates how many end to end wall beams  100  are needed. Adjacent wall beams  100  can be bolted together using nuts and bolts (not shown) through holes  110  to tie the system together. Wall beams  100  are installed at a predetermined height off of the raised floor tile grid  20  that corresponds to the height of blanking panels  400 ,  500  that will be installed. 
         [0057]    As with floor tracks  200 , the number of wall beams  100  required for a given containment system  10  is determined by the desired length of the containment system  10  being installed. Preferably, the length of each individual wall beam  100  is the same length as the corresponding floor track  200  and wall beams  100  are installed directly above floor tracks  200 . Therefore, an equal quantity of both would be needed to create the containment system  10 . Floor tracks  200  define the lower perimeter of the containment system  10  and wall beams  100  define the upper perimeter. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , once floor tracks  200  and wall beams  100  are installed, corner cabinets  30  can be rolled into place at each end of each parallel track of floor tracks  200 . Alternatively, installation of corner cabinets  30  can be done at any time after floor tracks  200  have been installed. Corner cabinets  30  can be any type of network, server, or other type of cabinet, such as Panduit® Net-Access™ server or switch cabinets, and are used to mount end of row doors  40 . Preferably, all cabinets placed into the containment system  10 , including corner cabinets  30 , need to be on casters or raised onto leveling legs so that the cabinets can be positioned above floor tracks  200 . In  FIG. 7 , a partially assembled containment system  10  is shown with two series of three floor tracks  200  secured to raised floor tile grid  20 , two series of three wall beams  100  connected to threaded rods  105  that drop from the ceiling grid system, and four corner cabinets  30  properly placed. 
         [0059]    Once all wall beams  100  have been installed, ceiling tile support system  300  is installed between wall beams  100 . Ceiling tile support system  300  generally comprises cross aisle tee beams  320 , center beams  340 , ceiling tile retainers  170 ,  330 , and retention brackets  350 , and is used to support ceiling tiles  50  in the containment system  10 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 8A , cross aisle tee beams  320  are first installed between wall beams  100  at intervals approximately equal to the length of a ceiling tile  50 . Each tee beam  320  has a generally inverted T-shaped construction comprising a generally vertical wall  326  and an intersecting general horizontal wall  328 , similar to a standard drop ceiling beam, and a tab  322  extending from each end of the horizontal wall  328 . Each tab  322  has a pair of holes  324  that are configured to engage the threaded posts  124 A in wall beam  100 . Once a tee beam  320  has been positioned between wall beams  100 , nuts can be threaded onto threaded posts  124 A to secure tee beam  320  to wall beams  100 . Each tee beam  320  also has a pair of apertures  327  through the vertical wall  326 , positioned on opposite sides of a midline of the tee beam  320 , that are used to secure center beams  340  to tee beams  320 . Similar to tee beams  320 , L-shaped end of row support beams  360  are installed between wall beams  100  at the ends of containment system  10 . End of row support beams  360  are also used to support ceiling tiles  50  and are only used at the adjacent end of row doors  40 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 12A , once tee beams  320  have been installed, a series of center beams  340  are installed between each tee beam  320  and between a tee beam  320  and end of row support beam  360 . Center beams  340  are positioned along the midline of the tee beams  320  and rest on horizontal walls  328 . Each center beam  340  has a pair of end walls  342  adjacent corresponding vertical walls  326  of tee beams  320 . End walls  342  each have a pair of apertures  344  that align with apertures  327  in vertical walls  326  and are used to secure center beams  340  to tee beams  320 . A horizontal wall  348  extends between end walls  342  and a pair of side walls  346  and has a hole  354  that can be used to install an appropriate fire suppression system or capped when not in use. A pair of support lips  352  extend outward from side walls  346  and are used as support ledges to support ceiling tiles  50 . 
         [0062]    Once the tee beams  320 , end of row support beams  360 , and center beams  340  have been installed, ceiling tiles  50  can be placed into the openings. Referring to  FIGS. 10-13 , generally L-shaped retention brackets  350  are secured to side walls  346  of center beams  340  with screws or other appropriate methods. A space is left between retention bracket  350  and support lip  352  of center beam  340  that is slightly larger than the depth of ceiling tile  50 . In the example shown, an alternative ceiling tile retainer  330  is secured to a second end of ceiling tile  50 , opposite the first end that is adjacent center beam  340 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , ceiling tile retainer  330  has a generally U-shaped body  332  that is configured to receive ceiling tile  50  and, once installed, prevents both horizontal and vertical movement of ceiling tiles  50 . Two threaded holes  336  are formed through the upper wall  334  of body  332 , which allows screws (not shown) to secure ceiling tile retainer  330  to ceiling tile  50 . This prevents ceiling tile retainer  330  from falling off ceiling tile  50  when an installer removes ceiling tile  50  from ceiling tile support system  300 . A pair of tabs  337  extend from a lower wall  338  of body  332 . Each tab  337  has a slot  339  that is configured to engage a screw  134  threaded into holes  132  in front wall  130  of wall beam  100  to secure retainer  330  to wall beam  100 . Slots  339  and screws  134  allow ceiling tile  50  and retainer  330  to be easily installed and removed by simply loosening screws  134  and lifting retainer  330  free of wall beam  100 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , posts  124 B have been removed from the top of wall beam  100  and are not required when alternative ceiling tile retainer  330  is used. However, a standard wall beam  100  with posts  124 B could also be used, although posts  124 B will not be engaged. 
         [0063]    As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 12A , to install ceiling tile  50  a first end of ceiling tile is inserted between retention bracket  350  and support lip  352  of center beam  340 . In the example shown, ceiling tile retainer  330  is also mounted to ceiling tile  50  and locked into place with screws, as described above. Ceiling tile  50  is then pivoted until it is perpendicular to wall beam  100  and slots  339  in ceiling tile retainer  330  engage screws  134  in wall beam  100 . Ceiling tile  50  is the secured into place by tightening screws  134 . 
         [0064]    To enclose the containment area until future cabinets are installed, blanking panels  400 ,  500  are used. Blanking panels  400 ,  500  rest on floor tracks  200  and extend to wall beams  100  to create a barrier to prevent escape of cool air from the containment area. To account for the wide variety of different cabinet widths that could potentially be installed, a flexible system is needed. This flexibility is accomplished with the combination of two types of exemplary blanking panels: an adjustable blanking panel  400  that is about a cabinet wide with adjustable side panels ( FIGS. 20A-E ); and a narrow fixed blanking panel  500  ( FIG. 19 ). 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , fixed blanking panel  500  has a main panel  505  and two side panels  510  that extend from opposite sides of main panel  505 . A set of slots  515  are formed along the top of main panel  505  and are configured to align with threaded holes  162  in lower back wall  160  of wall beam  100 . A generally V-shaped base member  520 , which is essentially the same as base member  440  of adjustable blanking panel  400 , is secured to the bottom of the panels  505 ,  510  and is used to secure fixed blanking panel  500  to floor tracks  200 . 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 20A-E , adjustable blanking panel  400  has a main panel  405  and two adjustable side panels  420 . A first set of slots  410  are formed along the top of main panel  405  and are configured to align with threaded holes  162  in lower back wall  160  of wall beam  100 . A second set of slots  415  are formed along each side of main panel  405  and are configured to align with holes  425  in side panels  420 . Adjustable side panels  420  are secured to main panel  405  by threaded studs inserted through holes  425  in side panel  420  and slots  415  in main panel  405 . Side panels  420  can slide in slots  415  to expand or contract the overall size of adjustable blanking panel  400 . A generally V-shaped base member  440  is secured to the bottom of main panel  405  and is used to secure adjustable blanking panel  400  to floor tracks  200 . As can best be seen in  FIG. 14A , base member  440  has the same profile as floor track  200 . A first wall  445  engages back wall  220  of floor track  200  and a second wall  450  engages connecting wall  240  so that base member  440  rests on floor track  200 . A series of slots  447  are formed in first wall  445  and generally align with threaded holes  222  in floor track  200  to secure adjustable blanking panel  400  to floor track  200 . 
         [0067]    As can be seen in  FIG. 14 , adjustable blanking panel  400  and fixed blanking panel  500  are both installed by placing the respective base member  440 ,  520  on floor track  200  and rotating the panel into position until the main panel  405 ,  505  contacts wall beam  100 . Screws are used to secure the base members  440 ,  520  to floor tracks  200  through threaded holes  222  and main panels  405 ,  505  to wall beams  100  through slots  410 ,  515  and threaded holes  162 . Both blanking panels  400 ,  500  can be positioned along wall beam  100 /floor track  200  in  50  mm increments for future reconfiguration needs. 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIGS. 15-16 , to seal the containment system  10  at the floor level, floor skirts  600  are added to floor tracks  200 . Floor skirts  600  have a rigid base member  605  that can be secured to floor track  200  by screws or other threaded members through threaded holes  232  in front wall  230  of floor track  200 . Flexible rubber seal  610  is secured to and extends from base member  605  and butts up against blanking panels  400 ,  500  and/or installed cabinets to seal the containment system  10  at the bottom. The rigid base members  605  of the floor skirts  600  are fastened along the entire length of floor tracks  200 .  FIG. 15  shows the first two floor skirts  600  not fully installed for clarity.  FIG. 16  shows a side view detail of a floor skirt  600  sealing against an adjustable blanking panel  400 . 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , to seal the containment system  10  at the top, an upper sealing bracket  700  is mounted to the underside of wall beam  100 . Upper sealing bracket  700  has a generally L-shaped bracket  705  and a continuous foam strip  710  mounted along bracket  705 . Foam strip  710  protrudes outward towards blanking panel  400 / 500  and compresses against main panel  405 ,  505  to seal the units together. 
         [0070]    During initial installation, adjustable blanking panels  400  and fixed blanking panels  500  are alternated as they are installed.  FIG. 21  shows one side of containment system  10  fully filled with alternating adjustable blanking panels  400  and fixed blanking panels  500 . In the example shown, an adjustable blanking panel  400  in a fully retracted position is about 650 mm wide (see  FIG. 20D ) and in a fully extended position is just less than 800 mm wide (see  FIG. 20E ) and can be factory set at 700 mm wide. Adjustable blanking panels  400  also have foam type seals on the outer sides of side panels  420  to seal side to side with adjacent panels and/or cabinets. Therefore, the overall width of adjustable blanking panels  400  will be slightly larger than stated above. In the example shown, the fixed blanking panel  500  is 100 mm wide. The adjustable blanking panels  400  and fixed blanking panels  500  can both be moved along wall beams  100 /floor tracks  200  in 50 mm increments to allow course adjustments. Fine adjustments can then be made by moving side panels  420  on adjustable blanking panel  400 . Once containment system  10  has been fully installed, as future cabinets are installed, blanking panels  400 ,  500  can be removed as needed. 
         [0071]    Using the exemplary adjustable blanking panels  400  and fixed blanking panels  500  described above, an adjustable blanking panel  400  and fixed blanking panel  500  side by side measures approximately 800 mm wide. Therefore, if a cabinet  60  that is 800 mm wide will be installed, one of each blanking panel  400 ,  500  will be removed. If a cabinet  60  that is 700 mm wide will be installed, only an adjustable blanking panel  400  will need to be removed. If a cabinet  60  that is 600 mm wide will be installed, one adjustable blanking panel  400  is removed and the adjacent fixed blanking panel  500  and adjustable blanking panel  400  are repositioned and adjusted. The fact that 24 inch (610 mm), 30 inch (762 mm), and other sized cabinets  60  (as well as different combinations of these sizes) may be placed into the containment system  10  requires this type of flexibility. Once the containment system  10  is nearly fully populated with cabinets of different sizes, the remaining area could easily be less than the width of an adjustable blanking panel  400 . At this point, fixed blanking panels  500  can be utilized to fill the remaining small area. 
         [0072]    Once the desired cabinets  60  have been installed, the space above cabinets  60  must be sealed if cabinets  60  do not reach the full height of wall beams  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 23-25 , an exemplary above cabinet blanking panel  800  is shown, which can be used to seal the space above under sized cabinets  60 . The overall height and width above cabinet blanking panel  800  depends on the height and width of a particular cabinet  60  being installed. An upper panel  805  of above cabinet blanking panel  800  has a set of horizontal slots  810  that are used to secure above cabinet blanking panel  800  to a wall beam  100  anywhere along the length of wall beam  100 . Screws (not shown) or other threaded members can be used secure above cabinet blanking panel  800  to a wall beam  100  by inserting the screws through horizontal slots  810  and threading the screws into threaded holes  162  in wall beam  100 . Lower panel  820  is secured to upper panel  805  via washers  835  and screws  830  that pass through vertical slots  815  in upper panel  805  and thread into threaded holes  825  in lower panel  820 . This allows lower panel  820  to be vertically adjusted to match the top of cabinet  60 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 25  shows an exemplary above cabinet blanking panel  800  installed above a corresponding cabinet  60 . To create a seal, foam seals  840  are placed along the side and bottom edges of lower panel  820  to seal above cabinet blanking panel  800  to the top of cabinet  60  as well as to adjacent components (such as a blanking panel  400 ,  500 , another above cabinet blanking panel  800 , or another cabinet  60 ). In the example shown, the vertical adjustment to lower panel  820  is made from the interior of containment system  10  (the cold aisle) for convenience. Lower panel  820  can be adjusted vertically to facilitate sealing against cabinet  60 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 26  shows a corner cabinet  30  and a cabinet  60  side by side with corresponding above cabinet blanking panels  800 A,  800 B installed (foam seals  840  are removed for clarity) and highlights why certain above cabinet blanking panels  800  need to be cabinet specific based on a cabinet&#39;s particular height and width. Since above cabinet blanking panels  800  are vertically adjustable, they can be used with multiple types of cabinets that have the same width but only a small difference in height. However, different height and width above cabinet blanking panels  800  are required for cabinets having different widths or large differences in height. Above cabinet blanking panels  800  also have to be capable of being installed anywhere along wall beams  100  to match wherever a cabinet may be placed. This is accomplished by the horizontal slots  810  in upper panel  805  of above cabinet blanking panels  800  and threaded holes  162  in wall beams  100 , which are spaced at 50 mm increments along wall beam  100 . 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 27 , a fully installed containment system  10  with a pair of different sized cabinets  60 A,  60 B installed is shown and illustrates how the containment system  10  can grow with the needs of a customer. It is adaptable enough to allow a wide variety of cabinets  60  to be installed at any time during the life of the containment system  10 . 
         [0076]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modification, variations, and/or improvements, whether known or presently unforeseen, may become apparent. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.