Case Study: Steel Security Louvre Doors for a High-Availability Data Centre

Project Overview

A UK-based data centre operator required an upgrade to several external plant room and service access points as part of a wider resilience and security improvement programme.

The facility supports mission-critical IT infrastructure with strict uptime requirements. Any changes to the building fabric needed to maintain:

•    Continuous airflow for cooling systems
•    Strong resistance to unauthorised access
•    Compatibility with existing security controls
•    Minimal disruption to live operations

Steel security louvre doors were selected as the most appropriate solution to balance ventilation performance with high levels of physical security.

The Challenge

Data centres present a unique set of challenges when it comes to doors and access points.

In this case, the client faced three key issues:

1. Cooling and Ventilation Demands

Plant rooms housing generators, UPS systems, and HVAC equipment required constant airflow to maintain safe operating temperatures and system efficiency.

Existing doors restricted airflow, increasing reliance on mechanical cooling and raising concerns around overheating during peak load conditions.

2. Security Risk at Ventilation Openings

Standard louvre panels and grilles can introduce vulnerabilities if not properly designed. For a data centre environment, any external opening must resist:

•    Forced entry attempts
•    Tampering and vandalism
•    Opportunistic access

The client required a solution that would not compromise the facility’s wider security strategy.

3. Live Operational Environment

All works needed to be completed while the data centre remained operational, with no interruption to services and strict controls around access, noise, and scheduling.

The Solution: Steel Security Louvre Doors

Following a site assessment and technical consultation, steel security louvre doors were specified and installed at multiple external plant room access points.

The doors were designed to deliver high airflow rates while maintaining a robust physical barrier.

Key Features Included:

•    Heavy-duty steel door construction
•    Integrated fixed louvre panels engineered for security
•    Corrosion-resistant finish suitable for external exposure
•    Compatibility with existing access control and monitoring systems
•    Custom sizing to suit existing structural openings

The louvre configuration was carefully designed to support ventilation requirements without allowing visibility or access through the door leaf.

Installation Approach

Given the live data centre environment, installation was planned in close coordination with the client’s facilities and security teams.

Key considerations included:

•    Out-of-hours installation windows
•    Secure site access protocols
•    Noise and vibration control
•    Phased works to avoid multiple access points being compromised at once

This approach ensured that the upgrade was completed without impact to uptime or operational resilience.

The Results

Improved Ventilation Performance

The new steel louvre doors significantly improved airflow to critical plant areas, supporting more stable internal temperatures and reducing strain on cooling systems.
Enhanced Physical Security

The steel construction and secure louvre design removed a known vulnerability, strengthening the building envelope without introducing additional barriers or complexity.

Long-Term Durability

With a robust protective finish, the doors are expected to provide a long service life with minimal maintenance — an important factor in a high-availability environment.

Compliance and Peace of Mind

The solution aligned with the data centre’s internal security standards and broader risk management strategy, providing confidence to both operational and compliance teams.

Why Steel Louvre Doors Are Ideal for Data Centres?

This project highlights why steel security louvre doors are increasingly specified in data centre environments:

•    They support cooling and airflow requirements
•    They protect critical infrastructure from unauthorised access
•    They integrate easily with wider security systems
•    They offer confirmed durability in demanding environments

When designed correctly, they remove the traditional trade-off between ventilation and security.

Client Outcome

The data centre operator now benefits from:

•    Secure, ventilated plant room access
•    Reduced risk associated with ventilation openings
•    Infrastructure aligned with long-term resilience planning

The upgrade forms part of a wider strategy to future-proof the facility as capacity and demand continue to grow.

Trusted Steel Door Solutions from Security Direct

Security Direct works closely with data centre operators, consultants, and contractors to deliver bespoke steel door solutions for critical infrastructure environments.

Our experience across secure sites is supported by consistently positive customer feedback on both Feefo and Trustpilot, reflecting our focus on quality, reliability, and technical expertise.

Talk to Our Technical Team

If you’re planning a data centre upgrade or need advice on secure ventilation solutions, our team can help you specify steel louvre doors that meet both operational and security requirements.
Contact Security Direct to discuss your project or request technical guidance.