Grey space in a data centre refers to the operational area where critical IT infrastructure is installed and actively supports computing and network services.
Designed for performance, scalability, and efficiency, grey space is carefully engineered with optimised layouts, airflow management, and high density power configurations to ensure reliable uptime and seamless connectivity.
It acts as the bridge between the facility’s supporting infrastructure and the core computing environment, enabling businesses to run mission-critical applications securely and efficiently.
Grey Space VS White Space
- Function: Grey space powers and cools; white space houses the IT workload.
- Environment: White space is highly controlled and clean; grey space is industrial and geared toward utility management.
- Ratio: Modern data centres often balance white and grey space in a 1:1
In a co-location data centre, the grey space is owned and operated by the co-lo, but the white space areas are rented out by end users.
Grey Space Areas
- Meet-Me Rooms (MMR): Areas where telecommunications carriers and internet service providers (ISPs) connect their networks, usually separated from the main server halls.
- UPS Rooms (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Dedicated areas for battery banks and UPS units that provide instantaneous emergency power.
- Generator Rooms: Areas housing the backup diesel or gas generators.
- Electrical Rooms: Spaces containing main switchgear, transformers, and power distribution systems.
- Office Space/Build Rooms: Other office and areas to build new hardware or carry-out maintenance on existing
- Building Management/Security Systems Areas: Offices or control rooms dedicated to monitoring facility-wide systems
- Mechanical Rooms/Chiller Plants: Areas housing large cooling equipment, including chillers, CRAH units (Computer Room Air Handlers), pumps, and heat exchangers.
- Fuel Storage Areas: On-site storage areas for fuel used by backup generators.
Product Offering
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Cabling Containment
- Wire Basket
- Ladder Rack
- Perforated Cable Tray
- Boxed Trunking
- Dado & Skirting Trunking
- Fibre Raceway
- Channel
- Tray Liner
- Flexible & Solid Metal Conduit
- Cleats
- Metal Backboxes
- Fire Stopping
- Access Control Cables
- Power Cable
- Grounding & Bonding
- IP-Rated Enclosures
Cabling Containment
For most cabling containment installations, the majority of the cost is labour.
For this reason, we only offer solutions where there is innovation for reducing installation time as well as safety edges to protect people and cables. Please see this 'Faster By Design' document from Legrand.
Some products will also have additional advantages such as larger spans between supports which also reduces costs. If you are looking for tried and tested products and advice on the correct finish for your environment, please contact us.
Wire Basket
Atkore Marco | Legrand Cablofil
- MC30, MC55 and MC105 wire basket systems available in pre-galvanised (PG) or zinc aluminium (ZA) finishes.
- Designed for durability and corrosion resistance in data centre environments.
- Ideal for supporting both copper and fibre network cabling.
- Open mesh structure allows excellent airflow and easy cable access.
- Accommodates both bundled and loose-laid cabling for flexible installation.
- Scalable solution that simplifies future upgrades and modifications.
- Should always be used with bend radius control exits to protect cable performance and integrity.
Ladder Rack
Atkore | Legrand Swift
- Rack systems available in U10, U11, U12 and U15 configurations.
- Offered in pre-galvanised (PG) or Defender finishes for enhanced durability.
- Engineered for strength and stability in demanding installations.
- Ideal for supporting large outer diameter power cables.
- Provides high load capacity for heavy-duty cable runs.
- Open ladder design enables efficient heat dissipation and easy cable management.
- Suitable for structured routing of power infrastructure in data centre environments.
Perforated Cable Tray
Atkore Unistrut | Legrand Swift
- Perforated cable tray systems available in TULL, TUMLT, TUHLT and TUEHLT configurations.
- Offered in pre-galvanised (PG) or Defender finishes for long-lasting performance.
- Designed for strength, versatility and reliable cable support.
- Typically used for routing and supporting power cables.
- Can also accommodate copper and fibre network cabling where required.
- Slotted design allows for secure fixing, ventilation and effective cable management.
- Suitable for structured installations in data centre and industrial environments.
Boxed Trunking
Atkore Flytec | Legrand Salamandre
- Boxed trunking systems available in CD and CO configurations.
- Supplied in pre-galvanised (PG) or Defender finishes for robust protection and durability.
- Fully enclosed design provides enhanced cable security and protection.
- Used where higher levels of security and containment are required.
- Most commonly used for power cabling applications.
- Can also be used for copper and fibre network cabling where enclosed routing is preferred.
- Ideal for environments requiring neat, protected and controlled cable management.
Dado & Skirting Trunking
Atkore Flytec | Legrand | Marshall Tufflex/Mita
- Designed for office environments, build rooms, and commercial interior spaces.
- Provides a neat and practical solution for cable distribution along walls.
- Ideal for delivering power and data access just above or below desk height.
- Supports efficient routing of both electrical and network cabling.
- Helps maintain a clean, organised, and professional workspace aesthetic.
- Suitable for flexible workplace layouts and future reconfiguration needs.
Fibre Raceway
Prysmian Warren & Brown
- Designed primarily for fibre optic cables with an outer diameter (O/D) under 5mm, such as patch cords.
- Can also be used for copper cabling where appropriate.
- Provides structured, high-capacity routing for sensitive network infrastructure.
- Extensive range of bend radius control exit options to protect cable performance.
- Helps maintain correct fibre bend radius and reduces risk of signal loss or damage.
- Ideal for high-density data centre and telecommunications environments.
Channel
Atkore Unistrut
- Available in pre-galvanised (PG) or Defender finishes.
- Provides a strong, versatile support framework for cable management installations.
- Commonly used as a structural support for ladder rack, wire basket, cable tray, and fibre raceway systems.
- Offers excellent adaptability for fixing and suspension in data centre environments.
- Designed for durability and long-term load-bearing performance.
- Enables flexible installation configurations for complex containment layouts.
Tray Liner
ITW Plenaform | Marshall Tufflex Cablolay
- Designed for lining wire basket and cable tray systems.
- Provides a smooth, protective surface for routing smaller cables.
- Ideal where a fully enclosed or continuous support system (such as Panduit FiberRunner®) is not required.
- Helps prevent cable snagging and reduces abrasion risk.
- Suitable for supporting lightweight copper and fibre cabling installations.
- Enhances cable organisation within open containment systems.
- Offers a cost-effective solution for improving cable protection and management.
- Cablolay is Class O compliant.
Flexible & Solid Metal Conduit
Atkore Flexconn | Metpro
- Commonly supplied in 20mm and 25mm diameters, with 32mm also available for larger applications.
- Provides robust protection for electrical and data cabling in demanding environments.
- Flexible conduit allows for easy routing around obstacles and tight spaces.
- Solid conduit offers increased mechanical protection and rigidity.
- Suitable for both power and low-voltage cable containment.
- Ideal for connecting equipment, containment systems, and fixed installations in data centres and commercial settings.
Cleats
Branded Options Available
- Securely supports cable runs in demanding environments.
- IEC61914 compliant.
- Available in MLT, formed nylon, formed stainless steel (SS), and formed aluminium variants.
- Provide effective mechanical retention for power and data cables.
- Manage cable movement and reduce strain under fault conditions.
- Suitable for a wide range of cable types and install requirements.
- Designed for durability, reliability, and long-term performance in data centre and industrial applications.
- Flexible options based on load, environment, and material.
Watch this video to learn more!
Metal Backboxes
MK
- Designed for demanding environments or where an industrial aesthetic is required.
- Robust boxes made from galvanised or stainless steel.
Fire Stopping
Legrand EZ-Path
- Designed to maintain fire compartment integrity in cable penetration points.
- Provides a safe, code-compliant pathway for power, copper, and fibre cabling.
- Engineered to allow cable additions, removals, and upgrades without compromising fire protection.
- Helps prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and toxic gases between building compartments.
- Suitable for high-density data centre and critical infrastructure environments.
- Offers a clean, flexible, and maintenance-friendly fire stopping solution for modern installations.
Access Control Cables
Belden equivalent available
- Reliable security and building management systems.
- Engineered to support consistent performance for access control, door entry, and security applications.
- Suitable for integration with electronic locking systems, card readers, and monitoring devices.
- Provides strong signal integrity and reduced interference in critical security infrastructure.
- Available in a range of constructions to suit different installation and environmental requirements.
- Ideal for commercial buildings, data centres, and secure facilities requiring robust access control connectivity.
Power Cable
Prysmian
- Reliable electrical distribution in critical environments.
- Engineered for high performance, durability, and long service life.
- Suitable for a wide range of power transmission and distribution applications.
- Available in various constructions to meet different load and installation requirements.
- Provides consistent electrical performance and resistance to environmental factors.
- Ideal for use in data centres, industrial, and commercial infrastructure projects.
- Supports safe and efficient delivery of power across installations.
Grounding & Bonding
Branded options available
- Grounding and bonding solutions designed to ensure electrical safety and system reliability.
- Comprehensive range of lugs and crimps for secure terminations.
- Provides earthing and bonding for power and data infrastructure.
- Protects equipment and personnel from electrical faults and surges.
- Engineered for strong mechanical and electrical connections.
- Suitable for use in data centres, industrial, and commercial installs.
- Supports compliance with industry standards and best practice.
IP-Rated Enclosures
Prism
- Designed to protect critical IT and network equipment in harsh environments.
- Provides a sealed enclosure to guard against dust, moisture, and external contaminants.
- Ideal for installations requiring a higher level of environmental protection.
- Suitable for housing servers, networking equipment, and structured cabling components.
- Supports secure and organised equipment mounting within standard 19" frameworks.
- Engineered for durability and long-term performance in industrial and data centre applications.
- Helps maintain system reliability in challenging or exposed conditions.