Data center HVAC infrastructures demand uninterrupted environmental control. If fire dampers fail to actuate or airflow regulators lose tension, they contribute to costly downtime for enterprise facilities. High-reliability springs provide the repeatable mechanical performance these advanced HVAC systems require. By completing the action of closing the vent, fire damper and air conditioning springs are an integral part of data center climate control and thermal management.
At John Evans’ Sons, we manufacture custom constant force springs, spiral torsion springs, precision mechanical assemblies, and other spring products for industrial applications. We supply mechanical contractors, facility engineers, and OEMs with high-performance components designed for maximum operational uptime, which is of critical importance in data centers.
Learn more about our data center HVAC springs and their specific applications.
Constant Force and Spiral Torsion Springs for Fire Damper Fail-Safe Systems
Data center HVAC springs in fire dampers close automatically when a change in temperature or pressure is detected. This immediate closure limits the spread of fire through the facility’s ductwork. The spring mechanism must actuate the damper blade reliably even after years of inactivity.
We design and manufacture the following options for fire dampers:
- Constant force springs. Our fire damper constant force springs provide predictable, uniform operational force regardless of the damper’s position. We use premium corrosion-resistant alloys that maintain structural integrity over years of use.
- Spiral torsion springs. These springs activate dampers on demand, offering high rotational torque from small rotations to provide smooth, powerful unwinding and winding in confined spaces.
Precision Airflow Control: Springs for Data Center CRAH Units
Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH) units regulate facility temperature through variable air volume dampers. These dampers modulate airflow directly to individual server rows. As computational loads fluctuate, these components cycle thousands of times annually. Spring-loaded actuators position the damper blades with precision to maintain acceptable temperature differentials across the entire data floor.
Our constant force springs maintain positional accuracy as internal friction shifts over the damper’s service life. The air conditioning spring’s flat force curve prevents mechanical drift. This eliminates the need for frequent hardware recalibration and prevents dangerous hot spots inside server racks. Rigorous fatigue testing confirms long-term reliability in continuously operating facilities.
Benefits of Our HVAC Springs for Data Centers
Corrosion Resistance
Our manufacturing materials include stainless steel alloys that adhere to ASTM A666 specifications, which set material standards for chemical composition, mechanical properties, and bend-testing metrics. Specialized heat treatments and finishes further safeguard the base metal from moisture and corrosion, protecting springs installed in conditioned spaces and humid plenum areas.
Reduced Maintenance Cycles with High-Fatigue Life Springs
We engineer springs with specific stress levels to prevent crack initiation across the expected cycle count. Production testing validates that components can survive up to 150,000 cycles without force degradation. This helps extend the intervals between maintenance inspections and prevent unexpected hardware replacement.
| Material Thickness | 2,500 cycles | 10,000 cycles | 20,000 cycles | 75,000 cycles | 150,000 cycles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coiled Dia. | Load (lbs.) | Coiled Dia. | Load (lbs.) | Coiled Dia. | Load (lbs.) | Coiled Dia. | Load (lbs.) | Coiled Dia. | Load (lbs.) | |
| 0.002 | 0.15 | 1.3 | 0.17 | 1 | 0.22 | 0.65 | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.44 | 0.17 |
| 0.003 | 0.22 | 2 | 0.25 | 1.5 | 0.32 | 1 | 0.48 | 0.5 | 0.66 | 0.26 |
| 0.004 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 0.34 | 2 | 0.44 | 1.3 | 0.65 | 0.65 | 0.89 | 0.35 |
| 0.005 | 0.36 | 3.3 | 0.43 | 2.5 | 0.55 | 1.6 | 0.81 | 0.8 | 1.11 | 0.44 |
| 0.006 | 0.44 | 4 | 0.51 | 3 | 0.65 | 2 | 0.95 | 1 | 1.33 | 0.52 |
| 0.008 | 0.59 | 5.2 | 0.69 | 4 | 0.87 | 2.6 | 1.28 | 1.3 | 1.78 | 0.7 |
| 0.01 | 0.73 | 6.6 | 0.86 | 5 | 1.08 | 3.3 | 1.59 | 1.6 | 2.22 | 0.87 |
| 0.012 | 0.87 | 8 | 1.03 | 6 | 1.3 | 4 | 1.91 | 2 | 2.67 | 1.04 |
| 0.014 | 1.02 | 9.3 | 1.2 | 7 | 1.52 | 4.6 | 2.22 | 2.3 | 3.07 | 1.2 |
| 0.016 | 1.16 | 10.6 | 1.37 | 8 | 1.73 | 5.3 | 2.53 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 1.4 |
| 0.018 | 1.31 | 11.9 | 1.54 | 9 | 1.96 | 5.9 | 2.85 | 3 | 4 | 1.56 |
| 0.02 | 1.46 | 13.2 | 1.71 | 10 | 2.18 | 6.6 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 4.44 | 1.74 |
| 0.022 | 1.61 | 14.5 | 1.89 | 11 | 2.37 | 7.2 | 3.48 | 3.6 | 4.89 | 1.91 |
| 0.025 | 1.81 | 16.5 | 2.14 | 12.5 | 2.72 | 8.2 | 4 | 4.1 | 5.55 | 2.18 |
| 0.028 | 2.04 | 18.5 | 2.4 | 14 | 3.04 | 9.5 | 4.48 | 4.6 | 6.23 | 2.44 |
| 0.032 | 2.26 | 20.5 | 2.65 | 15.5 | 3.36 | 10.2 | 4.94 | 5.1 | 6.9 | 2.7 |
Maximum Reliability & Uptime
Environmental control systems supporting maximum uptime targets cannot tolerate spring failures. Our manufacturing controls include 100% force testing and stringent statistical process monitoring. Dedicated traceability systems document the material certifications and test results for every production batch.
Automatic Damper Actuation to Mitigate Fire Spread
Fire protection systems activate dampers within seconds of smoke detection. Our spring designs eliminate force variations that could delay closure, quickly isolating adjacent server zones from smoke infiltration.
Choose John Evans’ Sons HVAC Springs for Data Centers
For over 175 years, John Evans’ Sons has manufactured precision springs for challenging applications. Our engineering staff collaborates with damper manufacturers and mechanical contractors to develop constant force, spiral torsion, and custom springs tailored for high-availability facilities.
We maintain complete certification documentation supporting commercial construction standards. Our data center HVAC springs address specific installation constraints, mounting geometries, and unique environmental conditions.
Contact our engineering staff to discuss your specific facility requirements, or request a quote for your custom springs today.