This quick clean room design checklist is part of a number of free suggestions, tools or tips put together by our (frustrated) staff to try circumvent a poor clean room design.

1. Stakeholder consultations

Has everyone who has a stake in the clean room been consulted? This includes:
Maintenance – ask them what will need to be maintained and how it will be done
IT – ask them to think of the worst-case needs for the future and build those in from the start.
Production – ask them what their needs are. What space will they need and what are the process requirements? What about cleaning?
QC – are any microbiological sampling points required? How much media will they need to bring in at one time?

2. Clean Room Grade

Have you specified the correct grade of clean room so that it’s not over-specified for the processes that will be housed in it (and not under specified so that it can’t be used for any future processes)? This is critical – consult everyone and get it right.

3. Protrusions

What is protruding into the room – are they disrupting any surface? Eliminate as many as you can. Common offenders include:

Lights
Smoke detectors (they won’t work anyway, get rid of them)
Power points
Sprinklers
Fire doors

4. HVAC Ducts

Check that they will be smooth and without internal insulation or if they are insulated, they should be lined with Melinex® or Mylar®.
Consider other sources of fibres or particles that might be introduced into your clean room and eliminate as many as possible.

5. Power Supply to Site

Check existing electricity infrastructure (substation/ switchboard/ mains/ circuit breakers) installed on site. Can it support the anticipated load requirements of the clean room?
Plan for power failures – will production continue? If so, consider a diesel generator set (for emergency power) and/or UPS (critical power).
Distribution boards should be located outside cleanroom.
Is there spare space and capacity for future equipment upgrade/ plant expansion?

6. Equipment

Check that the clean room with accommodate the size of the equipment that will go in there, including any required clearances.

7. Power Supply

Know where/ how the equipment is to be located, then coordinate the location of the power points/ MCC.
Power outlets should be recessed on wall (slim design type), no sharp edges. Make sure no exposed services/ cabling will appear in the cleanroom.

8. Lighting

How will it be serviced? Can this be done from outside the room or will you need to shut down the room to replace a light fitting? Use sealed IP65 lighting types, with top maintenance access. LED lighting types are preferable.
Ensure there is adequate lighting levels for the required tasks, i.e. 400 lux as recommended in AS/NZS 1680. Also, ensure lighting uniformity. Do any specific tasks that need higher lighting levels? e.g. in precision tooling, inspection etc.
Lighting control modules should be located outside the clean room.
Provide emergency and exit lighting to current building code requirements.

9. Containment

If the clean room is being used for potent materials e.g. cytotoxic drugs, then how will you manage containment requirements for items that need to be removed or replaced in the clean room? e.g. equipment components

10. Change Rooms

Are the change rooms adjacent to the clean rooms big enough to accommodate everyone who might be in there at the same time?

11. Dust Explosions

If your facility is a dusty environment have you considered how to prevent or handle a dust explosion in the clean room?

12. Viewing Windows – Corridors

Have you got enough viewing windows into the clean room so that staff can be supervised while they are in there without a supervisor having to gown up?
Consider double glazing if you have a window between two sterile areas – this will allow the glass panes to be flush with the wall (no sill), making cleaning easier.

13. HVAC Filters

Related to clean room grade, have the correct size HVAC filters been specified? Too big and they’ll drive up energy costs. Too small and they won’t do the job they are intended for.

14. Surfaces

Are all surface finishes i.e. walls and flooring compatible with the your cleaning agents and disinfectants?

15. Waste Flow

Have all waste flows been considered – including used garments? This is especially important in facilities that handle potent materials but is often overlooked.
Waste from washing facilities are usually better located on a perimeter wall.