Chapter 2
General System and Facility Guidelines
Environmental Factors
38
Floor Loading
The computer room floor must be able to support the total weight of the installed computer system as well as
the weight of the individual cabinets as they are moved into position.
Floor loading is usually not an issue in nonraised floor installations. The information presented in this section
is directed toward raised floor installations.
NOTE An appropriate floor system consultant should verify any floor system under consideration for a
HP server installation.
Raised Floor Loading
Raised floor loading is a function of the manufacturer’s load specification and the positioning of the
equipment relative to the raised floor grid. While Hewlett-Packard cannot assume responsibility for
determining the suitability of a particular raised floor system, it does provide information and illustrations
for the customer or local agencies to determine installation requirements.
The following guidelines are recommended:
• Because many raised floor systems do not have grid stringers between floor stands, the lateral support for
the floor stands depends on adjacent panels being in place. To avoid compromising this type of floor
system while gaining under floor access, remove only one floor panel at a time.
• Larger floor grids (bigger panels) are generally rated for lighter loads.
CAUTION Do not position or install any equipment cabinets on the raised floor system until you have
carefully examined it to verify that it is adequate to support the appropriate installation.
Floor Loading Terms
Table 2-1 defines floor-loading terms.
Table 2-1 Floor Loading Terminology
Term Definition
Dead load The weight of the raised panel floor system, including the under structure.
Expressed in lb/ft
2
(kg/m
2
).
Live load
The load that the floor system can safely support. Expressed in lb/ft
2
(kg/m
2
).
Concentrated
load
The load that a floor panel can support on a one-inch
2
(6.45 cm
2
) area at the panel’s
weakest point (typically the center of the panel), without the surface of the panel
deflecting more than a predetermined amount.
Ultimate load The maximum load (per floor panel) that the floor system can support without
failure. Failure expressed by floor panel(s) breaking or bending. Ultimate load is
usually stated as load per floor panel.
Rolling load The load a floor panel can support (without failure) when a wheel of specified
diameter and width is rolled across the panel.
