Abstract: An isolated work space is created within a confined area used as an airflow plenum to inhibit the spread of debris and/or contamination. For example, a work area can be formed in an under-floor space of a datacenter. Forming the work area includes erecting an airflow barrier to surround a work area portion of the under-floor space, forming a lower-perimeter seal to seal a bottom edge of the airflow barrier, forming an upper-perimeter seal to seal a top edge of the airflow barrier, operatively connecting a vacuum source with the work area portion, and operating the vacuum source to reduce the air pressure within the work area portion relative to the remaining portion of the under-floor space.

Abstract: A modular cooling apparatus for cooling one or more rack-mounted electronic component enclosures in a datacenter includes a base duct section and a duct assembly. The base duct section includes an inlet to receive a cooling airflow and an outlet to transfer to the cooling airflow to the duct assembly. The duct assembly is connected to the base duct section. The duct assembly includes one or more modular duct sections. Each of the one or more modular duct sections has a vent and is configured such that the vent aligns with an exterior opening in the respective one of the one or more electronic component enclosures.

Abstract: An updated operating speed for a fan of an air handler may be determined. The updated operating speed may depend on a target output volume for the air handler and an intermediate resistance value for a filter of the air handler. The intermediate resistance value may be determined by instructing the fan to operate at a first operating speed for a fixed period of time. During the fixed period of time, a pressure sensing system may sense an observed differential pressure measured across the filter. The observed differential pressure may correspond to the intermediate resistance value. The intermediate resistance value may be used to identify, from a set of filter loading values which may be retained in a filter loading data structure, the updated operating speed for the fan such that the air handler is capable of achieving the target output volume.