Computer Room Cleanliness

[BronYrAur]

Is there a standard in terms of particle count for computer rooms? I have been asked to evaluate a computer room that is described as "dirty". I haven't seen the operation yet, but I am told that it has 2 Liebert units and an separate AHU to condition it. Temperature is no problem - just cleanliness. I don't yet know filter ratings etc. but I wanted to go in with some knowledge on what is considered acceptable.

 

[IRstuff]

"Dirty" is an awfully subjective term. One man's "dirty" is someone else's Class 100 clean room.

A computer room should be at least as clean as an office environment. And you need to explain what it is that people are doing in this room, or even if there are people. Are there simply racks of computer equipment? Or are they taking computers apart? OR harddrives?


TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[AbbyNormal]

I did a telephone switch, big job by my standards, equipment supplier wanted a Class 100,000 clean room.

Owners decided they did not want it that clean, as there was an initial investment of about 40 grand worth of hepa filters and frames.

Ended up with 95% riga flow cartridge filters with 2" pleated prefilters and the place pressurized. Probably would have met the class 100,000 if they treated the room as such.

Dust probably causes most of the problems.

Take the "V" out of HVAC and you are left with a HAC(k) job.

 

[RossABQ]

This question just came up on a datacenter job I worked. If you websearch on something to the tune of "outside air economizer cleanliness datacenter" you should find a very detailed ASHRAE report. They studied the impact of using an OSA economizer in datacenters, and one of the key variables measured was cleanliness. Conclusion was that cleanliness was not so much an issue as commonly thought, as long as there wasn't a lot of moisture. That was the second part of the study (or a related one) -- reducing the commonly held 45% RH spec.

To answer your question, tho, most computer/server folks want 100k or better but don't have a clue what that really means. They won't smock/gown up, they leave doors open, they don't want to pay for HEPA's, the added energy cost, or do any housekeeping.

 

[marcoh]

I had a look at a lab ago which was 'dirty', allegedly due to poor filtration design. Turned out it was a dirty, dusty old building, doors/windows left open, and the filters did what they could. Need to consider dust/dirt sources rather than just filtration. Appropriate filters need to be chosen, but if the dirt doesn't get in to start with, life is so much easier!!