A regular cleaning of your computer room is an extremely important part of caring for your data center.  You need to schedule regular site cleanings to keep it free of dust, dirt and other harmful substances that can damage your systems and create risks for personnel. Dust and other particles that circulate within the room can accumulate and severely interfere with equipment by causing difficult or even tragic problems; problems that could lead to media errors and data loss.

A good rule of thumb that you should follow is to schedule certified cleanings throughout the year on a quarterly basis. You may even need to schedule one more often if your particulate count exceeds the standards set by ISO 14644-8 or ISO 14644-9. By following this regular cleaning schedule, you’ll be able to optimize the performance of your server room hardware, while at the same time cut down on the cost of repairs or data recovery from damage that could have occurred. If you compare the cost of a regular cleaning to the overall financial investment that was put into your data center, it’s a smart buy.

How To Choose a Cleaning Service for Your Computer Room

Don’t grab your broom and dustpan yet. You might use these two items to clean your home, but data centers are very different. The only thing your home and your server room have in common is that you should clean them both regularly. Cleaning an entire server room is a very delicate process that requires the specific services and expertise of professionals who are highly-trained at it and who will carefully and safely clean your critical equipment.

Here’s some advice to help you choose the right cleaning service:

• Check the company’s references, especially their quality of service. Find a reference or two that have facilities similar to yours. Be sure the company you’re looking at knows how to deal with the type of equipment in your server room.
• They should also be insured for damages they might cause during their cleaning.
• Evaluate the cleaning crew’s experience and training and ask for their official credentials. They need to know exactly how to clean server room. They should be trained and certified for specific standards and server room specifications.
• Review their methods. Make sure they use HEPA filtration vacuums and that their chemicals are safe for your electronic equipment and other hardware and that they will be able to work with your computer room layout.
• Tell them up front what you expect. Who will move the equipment? Does the service including cleaning beneath the suspended computer room floor or above the server racks? Perhaps there are certain data-sensitive areas of your server room. Will those areas be off-limits? What else is included or not included in their cleaning service?
• You’ll want to look for a company who will be available to clean according to your needs. Perhaps in addition to your regular cleanings, will they be available in the event of a last-minute emergency?