Metal Structures for Data Centers and Telecom Nodes in Tashkent

The Role of Metal Structures in Data Centers and Telecom Nodes

Engineering metal structures are the “skeleton” of a data center or telecom node. The quality of metal frames, racks, and cable trays determines not only the reliability of equipment placement, but also the ease of maintenance, scalability, and safety of the entire IT infrastructure.

For data centers and telecom operators in Tashkent, the following are important:

• predictable load-bearing capacity of structures;
• geometric accuracy for compatibility with racks, cabinets, and trays;
• quick adaptation to configuration changes (adding racks, new routes);
• clear manufacturing and delivery timelines for the project.

Contract manufacturing of metal structures for a specific project makes it possible to avoid “compromise” solutions from warehouse stock and get exactly what is required by the technical specification.

Types of Engineering Structures: Frames, Racks, Cable Trays

Metal Frames and Structures

Metal frames in data centers and telecom nodes are used for:

• load-bearing frames for rows of racks and cabinets;
• platforms and podiums for equipment;
• frames for precision air conditioners, UPS, distribution boards;
• reinforcement of floor slabs in areas of concentrated load.

Key parameters for calculation:

• total load (equipment + cable + people during maintenance);
• support scheme (floor, walls, columns, suspension from the ceiling);
• height limitations and spacing of posts/trusses;
• requirements for disassembly and transportation within the site.

Racks and Support Structures

This includes not only classic 19" server racks, but also:

• support posts for cable trays and ladders;
• racks for telecom equipment in communication nodes;
• frame structures for mounting distribution panels and cross-connects;
• rack systems for placing active and passive equipment outside standard cabinets.

Custom manufacturing allows for:

• non-standard depth/height for specific devices;
• additional reinforcement for heavy equipment;
• perforation and holes for specific types of fasteners;
• integration with existing rails and busways.

Cable Trays and Ladders

For data centers and telecom nodes, the organization of cable routes is critical:

• main suspended cable trays above rows of racks;
• vertical risers between floors;
• distribution trays in halls and technical corridors;
• separate routes for power and low-current lines.

When designing cable trays, the following are taken into account:

• cable weight with a margin for future load growth;
• bending radii for fiber optics;
• separation by categories (power/low-current, different customers);
• ease of access for maintenance and additional cable laying.

Requirements for Structures for IT Infrastructure

Engineering metal structures for data centers and telecom nodes differ from “general industrial” ones:

• Rigidity and minimal deflection. Important for heavy racks, UPS batteries, air conditioners.
• Dimensional accuracy. Mismatched hole spacing or level heights complicate installation and lead to rework.
• Predictable loads. Structural calculation for real operating scenarios.
• Consideration of cable architecture. Suspension points, branches, transitions, fastening to existing structures.
• Corrosion resistance. Especially for outdoor telecom nodes, roofs, technical platforms.
• Serviceability. Possibility of modification, relocation, reinforcement without shutting down the node.

Therefore, at the technical specification stage it is important to provide not only dimensions, but also information about loads, equipment types, and operating scenarios.

Material and Coating Options: Where to Use What

The choice of material directly affects both service life and cost.

Carbon Steel

Most commonly used for:

• load-bearing metal frames and structures;
• support posts for cable trays;
• heavy platforms for engineering equipment.

Advantages:

• high load-bearing capacity;
• good compatibility with laser cutting, metal bending, and welding;
• optimal price/strength ratio.

Usually used in combination with:

• primer-enamel for dry indoor areas;
• powder coating for increased durability and a neat appearance.

Galvanized Steel

Relevant for:

• cable trays and ladders;
• outdoor and rooftop routes;
• structures in rooms with high humidity.

Galvanizing increases corrosion resistance, which is important for telecom nodes on roofs and open sites.

Stainless Steel

Used selectively when:

• the structure operates in an aggressive environment;
• increased corrosion resistance is required;
• a stable appearance is important without regular maintenance.

Stainless steel is more expensive than carbon steel, so it is used where it is truly justified.

Technological Cycle: From Technical Specification and Calculation to Shipment

1. Receiving and Clarifying the Technical Specification

At this stage it is important to define:

• purpose of the structures (what is placed and where);
• dimensions of zones, height/width limitations;
• loads (weight of equipment, cables, people);
• requirements for disassembly, modularity, installation in confined spaces;
• operating conditions (indoors, outdoors, roof, humidity).

If necessary, a site visit is carried out or work is done based on the developer’s/integrator’s drawings.

2. Structural Calculation

Engineers perform:

• selection of profile cross-sections and metal thicknesses;
• calculation of load-bearing capacity and deflections;
• development of fastening nodes to existing structures;
• optimization for available rolled lengths and sheet formats.

The result is a set of design documentation (drawings, specifications) used to start production.

3. Production Preparation

This includes:

• cutting sheets and profiles for laser cutting;
• preparing cutting maps to minimize waste;
• setting up programs for CNC equipment.

4. Laser Cutting, Metal Bending, Welding

• Laser cutting ensures precise geometry of parts, perforation, and holes for fasteners.
• Metal bending forms profiles, brackets, and cable tray elements without unnecessary welds.
• Welding assembles frames, structures, and support elements with geometry control.

5. Surface Treatment and Painting

Depending on the technical specification, the following are used:

• surface preparation (cleaning, degreasing);
• priming;
• powder coating for indoor and outdoor structures.

6. Quality Control and Packaging

Checked:

• dimensional compliance with drawings;
• quality of welds and coating;
• completeness of assemblies and fasteners.

Then packaging is done, taking into account logistics and installation specifics at the site.

Laser Cutting, Bending, Welding, and Powder Coating in Data Center Projects

For data center and telecom node projects, repeatability and accuracy are crucial. Using modern equipment allows you to:

• maintain precise dimensions for compatibility with existing racks and trays;
• create complex perforation for cable ties, fasteners, and ventilation;
• reduce the number of welds through metal bending, which speeds up installation;
• obtain smooth and durable coating using powder coating.

Contract manufacturing makes it possible to produce both one-off non-standard structures and serial batches for standard nodes.

What Affects Cost: Key Factors

The exact price is calculated based on the technical specification. Below are the main factors that shape the budget.

To obtain a realistic estimate, it is important to provide not only drawings, but also information about deadlines, hall commissioning schedule, and queue priorities.

How to Prepare a Technical Specification for Metal Structures for a Data Center or Telecom Node

A well-prepared technical specification saves weeks on approvals and revisions.

Recommended content of the technical specification:

1. General project data

   • type of facility (data center, telecom node, backbone communication node);
   • city and site address (for logistics and installation assessment);
   • stage (new construction, reconstruction, expansion).

2. Functional purpose of the structures

   • what the metal frame is created for (rows of racks, air conditioners, UPS, cross-connect rooms);
   • types of cable routes (power, low-current, fiber optics, carrier);
   • requirements for disassembly and possible relocation.

3. Loads and equipment

   • weight of a single piece of equipment and quantity per structure;
   • cable density per linear meter of route;
   • presence of dynamic loads (movement of trolleys, maintenance).

4. Dimensions and constraints

   • room dimensions, ceiling height, presence of beams and engineering systems;
   • limitations on assembly sizes for bringing them into the room;
   • requirements for walkways and access for maintenance.

5. Operating conditions

   • indoors/outdoors/roof;
   • temperature and humidity conditions;
   • presence of aggressive environments (for example, near process equipment).

6. Requirements for materials and coating

   • preferred material (if already defined);
   • color and type of coating for visible areas;
   • special requirements for corrosion resistance.

7. Deadlines and phasing

   • desired delivery dates by phases;
   • priority halls/nodes for launch.

The more complete the technical specification, the faster the calculation can be performed and production started without additional approvals.

Typical Ordering Mistakes and Their Consequences

1. No load data

   • Consequences: either excessive safety margin and overpayment for metal, or risk of deformation and rework on site.

2. Ignoring cable architecture

   • Consequences: cable trays become overloaded or inconvenient for additional cable laying, “temporary” suspensions and untidy solutions appear.

3. Incomplete dimensional data for rooms

   • Consequences: assemblies do not fit through doorways, hit beams, requiring cutting and welding on site.

4. Late start of metal structures relative to general construction work

   • Consequences: tight deadlines, higher costs due to urgency, clashes with already installed systems.

5. Underestimating logistics and installation

   • Consequences: difficult lifting to floors, need for temporary removal of doors/partitions, additional downtime.

6. Lack of standardization across halls and nodes

   • Consequences: many unique solutions, complex spare parts stock, higher cost for subsequent phases.

7. Choosing materials “with a margin” without considering conditions

   • Consequences: use of expensive materials where simpler solutions with the required service life would suffice.

Production Time and Logistics in Tashkent and Across Uzbekistan

Lead times depend on the volume and complexity of the project, but they can be influenced by:

• early preparation of the technical specification and initial data;
• standardization of typical nodes across halls and sites;
• agreeing on phased deliveries (critical halls first, then auxiliary ones);
• considering the schedule of construction and installation work.

When estimating timelines, the following are taken into account:

• load on production capacity (laser cutting, bending, welding, painting);
• time for purchasing rolled metal for the specific project;
• logistics in Tashkent and regions of Uzbekistan;
• site specifics (access for oversized cargo, security restrictions).

It makes sense to discuss timelines in parallel with cost estimation — this allows you to find the optimal balance between budget and speed.

FAQ: Common Questions from IT Directors and Integrators

1. Can structures be adapted to existing racks and trays?

Yes, with drawings or actual measurements, it is possible to design metal frames, supports, and cable trays compatible with existing systems.

2. How to submit a technical specification: are sketches enough?

For a preliminary estimate, sketches and a description are sufficient. For production launch, drawings or agreed schemes with dimensions and loads are required. Designers can help prepare design documentation based on your data.

3. Can we start with a pilot node and then move to series production?

Yes, this is a typical approach: first a set is manufactured for a pilot hall/node, then, based on operating results, adjustments are made and serial production is launched.

4. How to account for future growth in cable and equipment load?

The technical specification should immediately indicate the planned development horizon and target load margin. Structural calculation takes this margin into account when selecting cross-sections and support schemes.

5. Who is responsible for installing metal structures on site?

Options depend on the project: installation can be performed by your contractors, the integrator, or a specialized installation team. During estimation, it is important to specify in advance who will install, so this can be considered in the design.

6. Can already manufactured structures be modified for a changed technical specification?

In most cases, modification is possible (reinforcement, changing attachment points, adding elements). But this is more complex and expensive than accounting for requirements at the design stage, so it is better to plan possible change scenarios in advance.

7. How is quality controlled in serial production for a network of nodes?

Typical design solutions, reference samples, and stable process sheets are used. This ensures repeatability of dimensions and characteristics from batch to batch.

8. Can metal frames, racks, and cable trays be combined in one order?

Yes, a comprehensive order is often more convenient: it is easier to synchronize timelines, standardize solutions, and optimize logistics.

How to Request a Quote: What Data to Prepare

To quickly receive a quote based on the technical specification for metal frames, racks, and cable trays for a data center or telecom node in Tashkent, prepare:

• floor plans with dimensions and elevation marks;
• list of equipment with weight and placement scheme;
• cable route layout (power and low-current);
• requirements for materials and coating (if already defined);
• information about operating conditions (indoors/outdoors/roof, humidity);
• desired delivery dates and phasing by halls/nodes;
• site data (city, access specifics, site operating mode).

Submit a quote request

In your request, specify:

• contact person (full name, position);
• company and role in the project (developer, integrator, telecom operator, data center owner);
• brief description of the facility and stage (design, construction, expansion);
• scope of work (metal frames, racks, cable trays — what is required);
• availability of drawings/models (formats: PDF, DWG, others);
• requirements for timelines and priority nodes.

Based on this data, a technical and cost estimate can be prepared, material and technology options can be proposed, and optimal production and delivery timelines can be agreed.