Resilient insulation solutions for data center construction

Access the full data center technical bulletin

Data centers are mission-critical infrastructure. As demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data-intensive applications grows, the cost of downtime continues to rise. Even a single incident can result in substantial financial loss, data disruption, and long-term reputational damage.

Resilience must therefore be a primary design objective, particularly passive fire protection. Noncombustible stone wool insulation, when specified and installed as part of tested assemblies, supports fire resistance, acoustic control, and thermal stability across the data center building envelope.

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Designing Resilient Data Centers with Stone Wool

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Key performance considerations for data center design

Passive fire protection and code compliance

Most data centers fall under Group F-1 occupancy in the International Building Code (IBC), with Group S-1 used in some cases. From there, required fire-resistance ratings for walls, floors, and roofs are determined by the building’s construction type and its distance from adjacent properties.

Fire performance is established at the assembly level, not by individual products. Designers should specify complete, tested, and classified assemblies and follow the associated installation details to achieve the required ratings in practice.

Standards such as NFPA 75 and NFPA 76 are commonly referenced by owners and insurers and can inform best practices, but compliance is ultimately based on the codes adopted by the authority having jurisdiction.

Building enclosure resilience beyond fire

Fire safety is only one part of data center resilience. The building enclosure must also manage heat, moisture, and noise, all of which directly affect equipment performance and operational continuity.

Continuous insulation plays a central role by reducing thermal bridging and stabilizing interior temperatures, helping to control cooling demand and improve overall energy performance. Inside the building, partitions and floor-ceiling assemblies must address high equipment noise levels. Effective acoustic control depends on assembly mass, airtight continuity, and the elimination of flanking paths. Stone wool cavity insulation helps absorb sound energy within these assemblies, improving noise control between spaces.

Penetrations for cables, pipes, and services break the continuity of the enclosure and require special attention. Maintaining fire performance depends on using listed firestop systems that match the penetrant and the surrounding assembly. Mineral wool safing should only be used when it is specified as part of the tested system.

The roof is another critical exposure surface. In many data centers, it supports heat-generating or combustible equipment and is directly exposed to weather and impact risks. Selecting complete, tested roof assemblies—often FM Approved—helps manage fire exposure, wind uplift, hail impact, and long-term durability.

How performance requirements shape data center assemblies

After establishing performance priorities, the next step is to understand how those requirements translate into real-world building systems. From interior partitions to exterior walls, roofs, floors, and floor–ceiling assemblies, each component of the data center enclosure contributes to managing fire risk, heat, noise, and long-term durability.

The following examples highlight how stone wool insulation supports key enclosure elements in data center design. For detailed assembly configurations, testing standards, and specification guidance, refer to the technical bulletin.

Interior walls and partitions

Interior walls play a critical role in how a data center performs day-to-day. Beyond separating spaces, they help contain fire, reduce noise from equipment, and support overall operational continuity.

Interior walls and partitions are a key part of passive fire protection in data centers. Noncombustible stone wool insulation helps achieve fire-rated wall performance, with added benefits of moisture resistance and sound reduction. Good performance also depends on airtight construction and proper sealing of penetrations.

_{For detailed assembly guidance and fire ratings, refer to the technical bulletin.}

Exterior walls under schedule pressure

Accelerated construction timelines are reshaping how data center enclosures are designed and built. Early decisions about the exterior wall system can significantly affect schedule certainty, long-term performance, and future flexibility.

Whether the project uses tilt-up concrete, precast panels, insulated metal panels, or pre-engineered metal buildings, stone wool insulation supports fire safety, thermal control, moisture management, and acoustic performance across these approaches.

_{Expanded enclosure strategies and detailing considerations are covered in the technical bulletin.}

Why the roof matters

In data centers, the roof is more than a weather barrier. It often supports heat-generating equipment, protects critical infrastructure, and plays a major role in fire exposure and durability.

Selecting complete, tested roof assemblies—often FM Approved—helps manage wind, fire, and hail risk while supporting long-term thermal performance. Within these systems, stone wool insulation contributes to fire resistance, impact resilience, and acoustic containment.

_{The technical bulletin provides detailed guidance on roof assemblies and performance testing.}

High-load floors and under-slab insulation

Data center floors carry heavy loads and operate under strict thermal and moisture requirements. Under-slab insulation can help stabilize slab temperatures, reduce condensation risk, and support consistent HVAC performance.

Because under-slab insulation is difficult to replace, material selection should account for long-term durability and verified load performance. Stone wool insulation can meet these demands when supported by proper engineering and detailing.

_{Design considerations and load guidance are outlined in the technical bulletin.}

Acoustic control between levels

Noise control is a constant challenge in data centers. Floor–ceiling assemblies must limit sound transmission and vibration between data halls, offices, and adjacent occupancies.

Tested assemblies, airtight detailing, and well-coordinated penetrations are essential. Acoustical ceiling systems help reduce reverberation, while stone wool insulation above ceilings can further improve sound control, especially at lower frequencies.

_{For tested assemblies and acoustic performance data, see the technical bulletin.}

Download the technical bulletin

Designing resilient data centers requires more than general guidance. ROCKWOOL’s technical bulletin provides detailed, assembly-level information to support specification and design decisions in mission-critical environments.

The bulletin covers:

Passive fire protection strategies for data centers
IBC occupancy classifications and rated assemblies
Interior partition, penetration, and firestopping guidance
Roofing system performance, including FM-Approved assemblies and hail resistance
Acoustic control strategies for high-noise environments
Sustainability considerations, including enclosure-first approaches and responsible material procurement

Download the technical bulletin

Stone wool insulation for mission-critical facilities

Stone wool insulation is noncombustible and can withstand temperatures above 2,000°F (1,000°C). When specified as part of tested wall, floor, roof, and firestop assemblies, it helps limit fire spread and protect critical IT infrastructure.

In addition to fire performance, stone wool supports the day-to-day demands of data center operation. It provides stable thermal performance, resists moisture, and absorbs sound within building assemblies. Its dimensional stability and durability make it well-suited for facilities that operate continuously under high thermal and acoustic loads.

Supporting long-term resilience and sustainability

A resilient data center enclosure supports more than operational reliability; it also plays a meaningful role in meeting sustainability goals. Continuous exterior insulation helps reduce thermal bridging and lower peak loads, complementing supply-side strategies such as renewable energy and power purchase agreements.

Responsible material selection is equally important. Designers should look for products supported by third-party verified environmental product declarations, transparent life-cycle reporting, and established circularity programs. ROCKWOOL’s sustainability strategy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Science Based Targets initiative, with a focus on energy efficiency, technology innovation, and circular material use.

Building science & Technical support

Technical support for data center design

Designing and specifying data center assemblies requires careful coordination across disciplines, early engagement with authorities having jurisdiction and insurers, and confidence in tested system performance. ROCKWOOL Technical Services provides support for architects, engineers, and consultants through assembly guidance, product selection, detailing assistance, and documentation review, helping reduce risk and support resilient outcomes.