Air barrier for datacenter usage which automatically retracts when fire sprinklers are activated

Abstract

An air barrier structure located in an airflow passageway for datacenter usage, which is automatically retractable upon activation of fire sprinklers in the event of a conflagration. The barrier structure is a shade-type roll up member, which in the absence of any complex mechanical structure, will automatically retract about a spring-loaded roller upon the activation of a fire sprinkler, and whereby the barrier incorporates water-soluble structural aspects which will facilitate such automatic retraction upon being impinged upon and dissolved by a flow of water emanating from the fire sprinkler.

1 . At least one barrier structure located in an airflow passageway between a ceiling mounting fire sprinkler and an upper surface of a computer rack in a datacenter, said at least one air barrier structure comprising:
 a spring-biased roller attachable to said ceiling;   a shade member constituted of a flexible air-impervious material having an upper end fastened to said roller, said roller normally imparting a biasing force for winding said shade member upward about said roller;   a rod member attached to a bottom edge of said shade member;   a hold-down structure fastenable to the upper surface of said computer rack, said hold-down structure including a further rod member;   water-soluble elements interconnecting said rod member at the bottom edge of said shade member with said further rod member of the hold-down structure for retaining said shade member in a downwardly extended airflow blocking condition in said passageway; and   channeling structure connected to said shade member in close proximity with said water-soluble elements, whereby upon activation of a fire sprinkler responsive to a conflagration, water emanating therefrom is channeled to said water-soluble elements to dissolve the latter so as to release the interconnection between said barrier structure and the hold-down structure and facilitating the upward retraction of said shade member.