A data center, an air handling system, and a method for installing equipment in a data center enable internal differential pressure relief within the data center. A volumetric container has mounting location(s) for heat generating information technology (IT) component(s) positioned within the volumetric container. A cold aisle on one side and a hot aisle on another side of the IT component(s) that have air passages for air cooling. A cooling unit is coupled to the volumetric container to pressurize the cold aisle with supply air and draws return air from the hot aisle. An air barrier is attached across an air passage between the cold and the hot aisles. A differential pressure relief mechanism is attached to the air barrier. The differential pressure relief mechanism is configured to open in responses to an air pressure difference across the differential pressure relief mechanism exceeding a pressure threshold.