Construction dust is the biggest single contamination risk to new equipment. A phased cleaning checklist for data hall build-outs and expansions.
A new data hall can look finished and still be full of fine construction dust — above the ceiling, on top of cable trays, and under the raised floor. If equipment is installed and switched on first, its fans pull that dust inside on day one.
Clean in phases, not once
- Rough clean: remove debris, packaging and heavy dust as each trade finishes an area
- Detail clean: overhead surfaces, walls, light fixtures and, where approved, the underfloor space
- Final clean: floors, doors and every surface before equipment is delivered
- Touch-up: after punch-list work and before turnover
Checklist before equipment arrives
- Overhead cable trays and ladder racks wiped and vacuumed
- Ceiling plenum cleaned where it is part of the return-air path
- Underfloor slab vacuumed and free of offcuts, fasteners and packaging
- Perforated tiles and grilles clear
- Tacky mats at every entrance and a rule against cardboard in the white space
- A particle count recorded as the baseline for the new room
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