Laboratory analysis of settled particulate matter identifies the composition — and therefore the source — of the dust in your critical environment.
IT Cleaning Ltd facilitates laboratory analysis of particulate matter (PM) — the dust — to determine what it is and therefore what the source might be. Samples of settled PM are collected using a vacuum cleaner with new bags, and the bag is sent to the lab for its contents to be analysed.
Prior to collecting the sample we perform an air particulate survey and visual assessment to look for obvious sources. In an enclosed data hall most of the dust present will be generated within the hall. Where economised (free) air is in use, we assess where the external air inlets are situated — we’ve found them facing railway stations, car parks, and even the data centre’s own generator exhausts.
Once lab results are received, IT Cleaning creates a report showing what PM was present and at what percentage, identifying the biggest contaminator and offering practical solutions.
The equipment can also investigate the source of airborne particulate. If readings are higher near a downflow unit, the airborne particulate is most likely being generated by that unit — typically the drive belt.
A full ISO 14644-3 survey can be performed to see whether the room in its current state would pass ISO 14644-1:2015 Class 8. This is valuable evidence between cleans and a critical baseline before ProtectIT works.
“Perhaps the most important step to control contamination is to contract with a reputable computer room maintenance company to perform routine cleaning.”
OUR METHOD
- Air particulate survey and visual assessment on arrival to spot obvious sources.
- Collect settled PM using a vacuum cleaner with a new, sealed bag.
- Bag sent to the laboratory for compositional analysis.
- Full report identifying the biggest contaminator with recommended remediations.
COMMON SOURCES WE IDENTIFY
- Downflow-unit drive belts shedding fibres and particulate.
- External air inlets facing car parks, railway stations or generator exhausts.
- Neighbouring construction and refurbishment activity.
- Under-floor debris disturbed by engineer traffic.