The use of blanking panels is a best practice for any data center implementing hot and cold aisles and is a necessity for any facility which implements aisle containment. Filling the blank spaces and gaps prevents air mixing between supply and exhaust air within the cabinet. A facility which uses aisle containment can have hot aisle temperatures of 90 or even 100 degrees F. Without blanking panels this hot air will travel through open U spaces to the server intake and cause hot spots. Ignoring the comparatively simple step of blanking off empty RU spaces can actually reverse the effects of aisle containment.

The Cool Shield Blanking Panels are made of a high-impact Kydex thermoplastic material which is lightweight yet extremely durable. The virtually unbreakable material resists chipping and particulation. The matte finish will keep the color from fading over time. The material also meets the highest rating for chemical resistance and is recognized by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for highest rating in Standard 94, V-0.