ISO 14644-1 Class 8 The Data Centre Cleaning Standard

The International Standard for Cleanrooms, Clean Zones & Controlled Environments. Data Halls etc are controlled environments.

ISO 14644 Class 8 Data Centre Cleaning Standard defines the international standard for air cleanliness by particle concentration in controlled environments — including data halls, server rooms, comms rooms, MERs and SERs.

This is now recognised as best practice for IT environments across the UK. In fact, major OEMs such as NVIDIA, Cisco, and others increasingly require their equipment to operate in environments meeting ISO 14644-1:2015 Class 8.
If these requirements aren’t met, equipment warranties may be void in the event of dust-related damage — making professional cleaning and certification essential.

Why ISO 14644-1 Matters for Data Centres

ISO 14644-1 sets measurable, science-based limits for airborne particles to protect sensitive electronic equipment.

A Data Centre Cleaning Standard of ISO 14644-1:2015 Class 8, plus all accessible surfaces free from dust, is currently the UK’s accepted best practice for data centres, data rooms, server rooms, and comms rooms.

These rooms are controlled environments — spaces where temperature, humidity, and airborne particulates must be precisely regulated to ensure safe, efficient operation of IT equipment.

Understanding the ISO 14644 Standard Series

The ISO 14644-1 to 14644-12 standards outline classifications, testing methods, and operational requirements for cleanrooms and controlled environments.

They cover:

• Classification of air cleanliness by particle size and concentration
• Testing and validation procedures (ISO 14644-3)
• Design, construction, and maintenance guidelines for controlled environments.

Earlier versions (such as ISO 14644-1:1999) have been withdrawn and replaced by ISO 14644-1:2015.
Some specifiers still refer to “5 Micron Clean” or “Clinical Standard,” but Class 8 is the correct modern classification for IT environments.

The Risks of Dust Contamination

Even “invisible” dust can be destructive. Sub-microscopic particulates:

• Block server airflow and increase operating temperatures
• Wear out moving parts such as cooling fans
• Create electrical shorts (static) and corrosion through ionic migration
• Cause unexplained downtime and hardware failure

“Contamination has been the indirect cause of more IT downtime than all the fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and disgruntled employees combined.” Jon William Toigo, Disaster Recovery Planning (3rd Edition)

ASHRAE’s 2011 Gaseous and Particulate Contamination Guidelines for Data Centers confirm that maintaining ISO 14644-1 Class 8 cleanliness is the most effective way to prevent particulate-related failures.

Airflow, Heat, and the Need for Regular Cleaning

Effective data centre cooling relies on a steady, unrestricted airflow. However, this same airflow constantly carries dust and particulates that settle inside your IT hardware. Even with efficient filters, routine professional cleaning is required to maintain optimal performance. Most equipment manufacturers now recommend that data rooms are cleaned regularly by a certified data centre cleaning company.

“Perhaps the most important step to control contamination is to contract with a reputable computer room maintenance company to perform routine cleaning.” John William Toigo, Disaster Recovery Planning (3rd Edition)

ISO 14644 Cleanliness Classes Explained

The yardstick for air cleanliness is the number of microscopic particles per cubic metre of air, typically ranging from 0.5 µm to 5 µm in diameter.

ISO Class	0.5 µm Particles per m³	Environment Type
1	10	Semiconductor cleanroom
5	3,520	Surgical suite / Pharma
8	3,520,000	Data Centre / Server Room

ISO Class 1 is the most stringent (used in microchip fabrication), while Class 8 defines the cleanliness level appropriate for mission-critical IT environments.

IT Cleaning Ltd – Certified ISO 14644 Cleaning Specialists

IT Cleaning Ltd deliver professional ISO cleaning and testing services for:

• Data Centres & Data Halls
• Server Rooms & Comms Rooms
• MERs, SERs, and other controlled IT spaces

We clean and test to ISO 14644-1:2015 Class 8, ensuring:

• All accessible surfaces are dust-free
• Airborne particle counts meet specification
• Full validation is completed in accordance with ISO 14644-3

After every clean, we provide:

• A detailed validation report
• A Certificate of Conformity (valid 12 months)
• Documentation suitable for internal and external audits

Our methods and scope of works are aligned with Data Centre Alliance (DCA) best practice. View Scope of Works

Expert Insight & Recognition

IT Cleaning Ltd.’s work, and expertise have been featured in Cleanroom Technology Magazine — demonstrating our leadership in controlled-environment cleaning across the UK.

We use HEPA-filtered vacuums, air scrubbers, and microfibre systems to deliver repeatable, certifiable ISO cleaning results for mission-critical environments.

Ready to Certify Your Data Centre?

Whether you’re planning a new facility, a refurbishment, or routine cleaning, ensure your IT infrastructure meets ISO 14644-1 Class 8 standards.

Contact: Stephen Yates
Call: 07810 893218
Email: stephen.yates@itclenaing.co.uk Web: www.itcleaning.co.uk

IT Cleaning Ltd Magazine Article published in Cleanroom Technology