Data centre cleaning standards are crucial guidelines that ensure a clean, efficient, and safe environment by managing air quality, environmental conditions, and contamination control. These standards help extend equipment longevity, ensure operational reliability, and maintain compliance with industry regulations. Key examples include ISO 14644, which sets air cleanliness classifications to protect sensitive equipment; ANSI/BIFMA X7.1, which controls VOC emissions from office furniture to improve indoor air quality; and ASHRAE TC 9.9, which provides guidelines on optimal temperature and humidity levels to prevent equipment damage.
Cleaning Standards for Data Centre and Server rooms in UK
The following standards are widely adopted to ensure cleanliness in controlled environments, such as data centres, server rooms, and similar facilities. Adhering to these standards is vital for maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient operational environment.
By implementing these standards and best practices, organisations can significantly improve the reliability and longevity of their data centres, server rooms, and critical IT infrastructure. Regular maintenance and rigorous compliance with these guidelines are essential for preventing contamination and ensuring optimal operational efficiency.
1. ISO 14644 Standards
1.1. ISO 14644-1:2015 – Classification of Air Cleanliness
Purpose: This standard is crucial for defining the levels of air cleanliness in controlled environments, such as data centres. It helps ensure that air quality is maintained at a level that prevents contamination of sensitive IT equipment and minimises operational risks.
Classifications:
ISO Class 1: Designed for environments requiring extremely high levels of cleanliness, with a maximum allowable particle count of 10 particles per cubic metre for ≥0.1 μm particles. This class is generally used in ultra-clean environments such as semiconductor manufacturing facilities.
ISO Class 5: Suitable for environments where very low levels of particulate contamination are necessary. The standard allows a maximum of 3,520 particles per cubic metre for ≥0.5 μm, which is commonly applied in data centres to ensure high operational reliability and reduced risk of equipment failure.
ISO Class 8: This level permits a higher concentration of particles compared to Class 1 and Class 5, with maximum limits of 3,520,000 particles per cubic metre for ≥0.5 μm particles; 832,000 particles for ≥1 μm; and 29,300 particles for ≥5 μm. Data centres typically aim for at least Class 8 cleanliness to balance operational needs with practical cleaning efforts.
Application:
Ensures that data centre environments are kept clean enough to prevent the accumulation of dust and other particulates that could impact the performance and reliability of IT equipment.
Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential to adhere to these standards and prevent contamination-related issues.
1.2. ISO 14644-2:2015 – Monitoring
Purpose: ISO 14644-2 provides guidelines for the ongoing monitoring of air cleanliness. It specifies how to assess and measure the cleanliness of the air in controlled environments to ensure they remain within acceptable limits.
Key Aspects:
Sampling Methods: The standard outlines methods for sampling air to measure particle concentrations, including the use of calibrated particle counters to obtain accurate readings of airborne particles.
Monitoring Frequency: Defines how often monitoring should occur. For data centres, continuous or regular monitoring (daily, weekly, or monthly) is recommended depending on the criticality of the environment and the level of cleanliness required.
Application:
Facilitates the implementation of effective air quality management practices by providing a framework for routine checks and emergency response.
Helps identify trends or spikes in particulate levels, allowing for timely interventions to address potential contamination sources.
1.3. ISO 14644-3:2005 – Test Methods
Purpose: This standard describes the procedures and methods for testing the cleanliness of controlled environments, ensuring that the air and surfaces meet the required cleanliness levels.
Key Methods:
Airborne Particle Counting: Involves measuring the concentration of airborne particles using specialised equipment. This helps determine whether the air meets the specified cleanliness class.
Surface Sampling: Techniques such as wipe tests or swab tests are used to assess the level of contamination on surfaces, which is particularly important for areas where dust may settle and affect equipment.
Application:
Validates that cleaning practices are effective and that environments maintain the required cleanliness levels.
Provides objective data to support compliance with cleanliness standards and to make informed decisions regarding cleaning protocols.
1.4. ISO 14644-4:2001 – Design, Construction, and Start-Up
Purpose: ISO 14644-4 offers guidelines for designing, constructing, and starting up controlled environments. It ensures that facilities are built and set up to support effective cleaning and contamination control.
Key Aspects:
Design Criteria: Focuses on designing facilities with features that facilitate easy cleaning and maintenance, including considerations for layout, materials, and equipment placement.
Construction Practices: Provides recommendations for using appropriate materials and construction techniques that minimise contamination risks and facilitate cleanliness.
Application:
Guides the design and construction phases of data centres to incorporate features that support ongoing cleanliness and operational efficiency.
Helps prevent common issues related to contamination by ensuring that the facility is built to support cleanliness and control measures from the start.
2. ANSI/BIFMA Standards
2.1. ANSI/BIFMA X7.1 – Standard for Low-Emitting Office Furniture
Purpose: This standard aims to reduce indoor air pollution by setting limits on the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from office furniture, which can affect air quality in data centres.
Focus Areas:
Emissions Testing: Evaluates the amount of VOCs emitted by office furniture. Furniture used in data centres must meet these standards to avoid contributing to poor indoor air quality.
Material Safety: Ensures that materials used in furniture do not release harmful substances that could compromise air cleanliness.
Application:
Assists in selecting office furniture that minimises the introduction of contaminants into the data centre environment.
Supports overall efforts to maintain a clean and healthy atmosphere within data centres.
2.2. ANSI/BIFMA X5.5 – Office Chairs
Purpose: This standard covers the design and performance requirements for office chairs to ensure durability and safety, contributing to a clean and efficient work environment.
Focus Areas:
Durability Testing: Ensures that office chairs are tested for durability to withstand regular use without degrading or contributing to contamination.
Safety Standards: Addresses design aspects that could affect safety and cleanliness, such as ease of cleaning and absence of sharp edges or materials that could shed particles.
Application:
Ensures that office chairs used in data centres support a clean environment by being durable and easy to maintain.
Contributes to a tidy and professional appearance in the data centre workspace.
3. ASHRAE Standards
3.1. ASHRAE TC 9.9 – Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments
Purpose: ASHRAE TC 9.9 provides guidelines for maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels in data centres, crucial for equipment reliability and longevity.
Key Guidelines:
Temperature Range: Recommends maintaining a temperature range of 18-27°C (64-80°F) to ensure that IT equipment operates efficiently and within safe temperature limits.
Humidity Control: Advises keeping relative humidity between 45-50% to prevent condensation, static electricity, and corrosion.
Application:
Supports cleaning practices by ensuring that environmental conditions do not exacerbate dust and contamination issues.
Helps in optimising cooling and reducing energy consumption by maintaining appropriate environmental conditions.
3.2. ASHRAE 62.1 – Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
Purpose: ASHRAE 62.1 sets standards for ventilation to ensure good indoor air quality, which is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy data centre environment.
Key Elements:
Ventilation Rates: Establishes minimum ventilation rates to provide adequate fresh air and dilute indoor contaminants.
Air Filtration: Recommends using high-efficiency filters to remove particulates from the air, supporting overall cleanliness.
Application:
Enhances the effectiveness of cleaning practices by maintaining good air quality and preventing the buildup of contaminants.
Supports the overall health and comfort of data centre staff by ensuring adequate ventilation and air quality.
4. Cleanroom Standards
4.1. IEST-RP-CC003.3 – Cleaning Methods
Purpose: IEST-RP-CC003.3 provides guidelines for cleaning methods used in controlled environments such as cleanrooms, which can be applied to data centres to maintain cleanliness.
Key Methods:
Surface Cleaning: Details techniques for cleaning surfaces to remove dust and contaminants, including the use of appropriate cleaning agents and tools.
Equipment Cleaning: Provides procedures for cleaning sensitive equipment without causing damage, which is crucial for maintaining the performance and reliability of IT assets.
Application:
Offers practical cleaning methods and best practices that can be adapted for use in data centres.
Ensures that both surfaces and equipment are effectively cleaned to prevent contamination and maintain operational efficiency.
4.2. IEST-RP-CC007.2 – Testing Cleanroom Cleaning Methods
Purpose: This standard outlines methods for testing the effectiveness of cleaning protocols in cleanrooms, ensuring that cleaning procedures are effective and meet required standards.
Key Methods:
Contamination Testing: Techniques for assessing residual contamination after cleaning, including surface and airborne particle testing.
Cleaning Validation: Procedures for validating that cleaning methods are effective in maintaining required cleanliness levels.
Application:
Provides a framework for validating the effectiveness of cleaning methods used in data centres.
Helps ensure that cleaning practices are effective and that cleanliness levels are consistently maintained.
5. Best Practices for Data Centre Cleaning
5.1. Cleaning Protocols
Routine Cleaning:
Daily Tasks: Includes dusting surfaces, emptying trash, and wiping down high-touch areas. Regular dusting and cleaning help prevent the accumulation of contaminants.
Weekly Tasks: Involves more thorough cleaning such as vacuuming carpets, cleaning computer peripherals, and sanitising workstations. This helps maintain overall cleanliness and hygiene.
Monthly Tasks: Includes deep cleaning tasks like washing windows, cleaning ventilation grills, and inspecting and cleaning cooling systems. Regular deep cleaning helps address accumulated dust and other contaminants.
Deep Cleaning:
Frequency: Conduct deep cleaning sessions every 3 to 6 months, depending on the level of dust and contaminants. This includes tasks such as cleaning behind and underneath equipment and removing dust from HVAC systems.
Scope: Thoroughly clean high-risk areas like server racks, raised floors, and cooling systems. Deep cleaning ensures that equipment and infrastructure are maintained in optimal condition, reducing the risk of dust-related issues and enhancing overall efficiency.
