A cooling system includes a chassis. A thermal sensor is located in the chassis. A plurality of fan zones are located in the chassis. Each of the plurality of fan zones includes at least one fan. A first mapping is provided between the thermal sensor and a first fan zone of the plurality of fans zone, and a second mapping is provided between the first fan zone and a second fan zone in the plurality of fan zones. A controller is coupled to the thermal sensor and the at least one fan in each of the plurality of fan zones. In response to receiving a signal from the thermal sensor, the controller is operable to activate the at least one fan in the first fan zone according to the first mapping and activate the at least one fan in the second fan zone according to the second mapping.