Basic Steps You Need to Ensure When Cleaning Data Centers

Modern data centers are typically clean areas with dedicated air filtration systems, controlled access, anti-static pads at many entrances, and air pressurization using HVAC to control temperature and humidity in empty areas. However, in areas where maintenance personnel are frequently present, it is also essential to frequently clean and sterilize touched surfaces.

So what is the right process? Here are some basic steps you need to ensure during the data center cleanup process.

Cleaning and dusting clean room floors is a top priority for proper data center cleaning. A major factor in keeping the data center operating optimally is the elevated floor, which houses plenum that blows cold air upward to the equipment. As with all other propellers, the plenum may draw in dust and dirt that builds up on the motherboard panels. This may cause damage the devices.

To properly clean the plenum, you need to clean/wipe down the bottom of all removable tiles, wipe down particles on the underlying floor, vacuum, wipe with static, and collect any loose components.

Data center floors are made of sensitive materials designed to reduce or eliminate static electricity by forming conductive paths in the ground. If the floor is dusty and dirty, it can significantly reduce the floor's ability to protect equipment from static electricity.

After thoroughly cleaning the subfloor, you need to replace the elevated floor tile, vacuum all particles, wipe the floor tile with an anti-static rag, and mop. However, since data centers are full of sensitive high-tech equipment, you need to be very careful about any water that enters the environment. Always limit the volume of liquids in the data center as much as possible.

After cleaning the floor, you need to focus on cleaning and vacuuming light fixtures, ledges, air conditioners, work and desk surfaces, and other accessible areas before cleaning all other surfaces, including racks, lockers, shelves, monitors, and more. The surface of the tape rack and external hardware, as well as the exit and entry grates of the server cabinet should also be carefully vacuumed with a HEPA filter before wiping with an antistatic cleaning solution.

Everything needs to be vacuumed and cleaned, even the individual tape slots. Cleaning crews should ideally collaborate with an information system development (ISD) department employee or another appropriate department while on duty to guarantee that all tapes are handled with care and put back in their correct places when cleaning is finished.

While these basic cleaning steps listed above are absolutely necessary to keep a data center operating optimally, there are more nuances involved in data center cleaning. The best way is to hire a professional cleaning team to do the job. Cleaning personnel should be educated about any special disinfection needs, procedures, and requirements that exist in the data center room.