Middle Atlantic 1 Space Security Cover Fine Perforation Pattern - SF1

Middle Atlantic SF1 1U Fine-Perforated Steel Rack Security Cover

The Middle Atlantic SF1 is a 1U (1.75-in tall) steel rack security cover designed to block unauthorized access to open rack spaces in 19-inch equipment racks while maintaining passive airflow through its fine-perforated pattern. At 1.1 inches deep and finished in black powder coat, the SF1 fills blank rack slots in a clean, professional manner — standard kit for any Middle Atlantic rack or compatible 19-inch EIA-310 frame where open bays represent either a security risk or an airflow management problem.

Key Features

• 1U Form Factor (1.75 in tall): Occupies exactly one rack unit — use as many as needed to fill gaps between equipment without wasting space. A single SF1 closes off unused slots that would otherwise allow hands or tools into the rack interior.
• 23% Vent Open Area — Fine Perforation Pattern: The fine-perf style balances physical security with passive thermal management. At 23% open area, air can still circulate through the panel, reducing hot spots in densely loaded racks without requiring active fan management at every blank position. This is the key tradeoff vs. a solid blank: if your rack runs warm, perforated is the right call.
• 19-Inch Panel Width (48.3 cm): Fits standard EIA-310 19-inch rack rails — the universal rack format used across network closets, AV racks, surveillance NVR enclosures, and data center cabinets. No adapter hardware required for any compliant 19-in frame.
• Steel Construction, Black Powder-Coat Finish: Steel gives the SF1 meaningful rigidity — it won't flex or bow when you run cables past it. The black finish matches virtually every commercial rack accessory and equipment chassis on the market, keeping the install looking intentional rather than improvised.
• 1.1-Inch Depth: Shallow enough to clear patch cables, power strips, and vertical cable managers mounted inside the rack. At 1.1 inches, there's no conflict with equipment in adjacent rack units or with cable bundles running along the rails.
• 2 Mounting Points: Standard two-point rack ear mounting — installs with the same screws or cage nuts already in use for the rest of the rack. No special hardware, no drilling.
• 0.8 lbs Shipping Weight: Light enough to order in multiples without freight concerns. If you're outfitting a full rack cabinet with several blank positions, shipping weight is negligible.
• TAA Status — Not Compliant: The SF1 is not TAA-compliant. For federal government projects or GSA schedule deployments with TAA requirements, verify your panel selection against those constraints before ordering.

Integration and Compatibility

The SF1 installs in any standard 19-inch EIA-310 rack — open-frame, enclosed cabinet, or wall-mount swing-out frames. It pairs naturally with rack enclosure systems from Middle Atlantic and third-party manufacturers, and works alongside 2U, 3U, and larger security covers from the same product family if you need to fill larger gaps. For surveillance and security deployments, this panel is commonly used in NVR racks and head-end cabinets to close off unused positions between recorders, patch panels, and UPS units. If you're building out an NVR rack and need guidance on how to structure the equipment layout, the rack planning and cable management guide covers slot allocation and airflow planning in detail. For mixed AV and security installs, the SF1's fine-perforation style is visually consistent with the broader Middle Atlantic product line, keeping the rack interior uniform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What rack size does the SF1 fit?

A: The SF1 fits standard 19-inch (48.3 cm) EIA-310 rack rails and occupies 1 rack unit (1.75 inches of vertical space). It will not fit 23-inch rack rails without an adapter.

Q: Does the SF1 provide any airflow, or does it completely block the rack bay?

A: The SF1's fine perforation pattern provides 23% vent open area, allowing passive airflow through the panel. It is not a solid blank — if you need zero airflow through a specific position, a solid panel would be required.

Q: Is the SF1 TAA compliant for government procurement?

A: No. The SF1 is not TAA compliant per the manufacturer's specification. Federal projects requiring TAA-compliant panels should verify alternative SKUs before purchasing.

Q: How is the SF1 mounted in the rack?

A: The SF1 uses 2 mounting points and installs on standard 19-inch rack rails using cage nuts and rack screws — the same hardware used for other rack-mount equipment. No special tools or adapters are required.

Q: What material and finish is the SF1?

A: The SF1 is constructed from steel with a black finish, consistent with standard commercial rack hardware.

Q: Can I use multiple SF1 panels to fill a larger open space in my rack?

A: Yes. Each SF1 fills exactly 1U. Stack as many as needed to cover multi-unit open sections. Middle Atlantic also offers larger security cover panels in the same family if you need to fill 2U or more with a single panel.