If you own or manage a data center in Atlanta, you already know data center cleanliness is paramount. Servers, networks, and hardware are a major investment, and a pristine environment keeps things running smoothly without the dreaded downtime.
When you hire the right data center cleaning company, they’ll become a valuable partner in helping you achieve this goal. But how can you know if they’re the best fit for the job? Asking these five questions will ensure your cleaning company takes data center maintenance seriously.
Ask Your Data Center Cleaning Company These 5 Questions
- Have you cleaned data centers before?
Before you get into job specifics, make sure your chosen hire has experience cleaning data centers. All corporate cleaning is not created equal, and data centers require a more specialized level of cleaning than other industries.
If those who clean your space aren’t trained properly, you run the risk of downtime from:
- Moisture, if your cleaning crew doesn’t know to limit water usage
- Overheating, if your cleaning crew doesn’t know to remove the raised floor to clean the subfloor below
- Hardware damage, if your cleaning crew doesn’t know how to properly eliminate dust and debris particles
Employees should have extensive training in data center cleaning protocols and follow all ISO 14644:Cleanroom Standards. This international standard defines cleanliness levels by particle counts, testing airflow and filters, maintaining cleanliness operational requirements, and measuring both surface cleanliness and airborne chemical concentration. These strict protocols ensure that your data center is safe for equipment and employees alike.
- Is your company certified and insured?
If your chosen cleaning company answered yes to the first question, they should be certified. Certifications prove that they work in accordance with safe practices and ISO standards.
Every cleaning company strives for excellence, just as every data center strives for cleanliness — but even in great working conditions, accidents can happen. Hiring an insured data center cleaning company provides both peace of mind and legal protection.
- What cleaning products and equipment do you use?
Data centers clearly require a lot of electricity, so it’s important for your cleaning company to use products that promote safe practices. Anti-static cleaning agents can prevent dangerous sparks, and high-level disinfectants can prevent restricted airflow from dust and debris. Data centers should be cleaned with microfiber, anti-static technology and HEPA vacuums.
You may also want to ask your cleaning company about environmental impact. Quality companies will incorporate non-abrasive, environmentally friendly cleaning products, as well as products free of static, lent, or dyes in their regular cleanings. While cleaning large spaces always requires resource and energy usage, ask your cleaning company about any sustainable cleaning practices they incorporate into their services.
- Will this data center be affected by cleanings?
Specialized cleaning companies should be able to help you greatly reduce or fully eliminate data center downtime during cleanings. This can be accomplished by anti-static technology that allows them to clean live equipment and a systematic approach that reduces the need for critical system shutdown.
Even when scheduled cleanings cause the briefest of interruptions, remember that a clean data center will help you avoid more costly repairs and extended downtime. Proper cleaning is a worthwhile investment with many benefits.
- Can you provide your data center cleaning punchlist?
Finally, before signing on the dotted line, ask your potential cleaning company for a full checklist of items on their routine cleaning agenda, as well as any specialized services they offer for occasional deep cleaning. You’ll feel comfortable and confident in knowing exactly how your data center is being cleaned on a regular basis.
Construction Clean-Up Specialist aims to be the premier data center cleaning company in Atlanta. With more than 10 million square feet of data centers cleaned, we have plenty of experience in avoiding downtime while keeping facilities pristine and safe.
Our dedicated team of specialists is trained, certified, insured, and ready to provide an excellent clean every time. Each data center cleaning job includes:
- Cleaning all surfaces that could collect debris, including:
- Ceilings, including tiles and overhead areas
- All floors
- Exterior equipment surfaces like server cabinets, equipment and workstations
- Raised access flooring (subfloor plenums)
- Interior server cabinet, including cabinet doors, exhaust fans, and server surfaces
- Incorporating non-abrasive, environmentally friendly cleaning products, as well as products free of static, lent, or dyes
- Using microfiber, anti-static technology and HEPA vacuums that filters 99.999% at 0.12 microns
- Providing different levels of cleaning depending on your geographical location
- Air monitoring of nanoscale particulate concentration
- Following all ISO 14644:Cleanroom Standards