One of the most common questions we are asked at IT Cleaning Ltd is:

“How much does Data Centre Cleaning cost?”

Many people assume that specialist technical cleaning is expensive. However, when the cost is compared against the value of the infrastructure and IT equipment being protected, Data Centre Cleaning is actually extremely cost-effective.

In most cases, the cost of cleaning represents only a tiny fraction of the total asset value within the environment.

Data Centre Cleaning Compared to Asset Value

For example, consider a Data Hall with a total infrastructure and equipment value of £10,000,000.

A full clean to ISO 14644-1 2015 Class 8 standards would typically cost in the region of £9,000.

This equates to approximately:

0.09% of the total asset value

For this investment, the environment can be professionally cleaned to current industry best practice standards, helping reduce contamination risks to critical IT infrastructure.

Considering the potential costs associated with downtime, equipment failure, overheating, contamination-related faults, and reduced cooling efficiency, the cost of cleaning is relatively small.

What Is Included in a Professional Data Centre Clean?

At IT Cleaning Ltd, our cleaning specifications are designed around industry best practice for mission-critical environments.

A typical ISO clean may include:

• Cleaning to ISO 14644-1 2015 Class 8 standards
• All accessible surfaces cleaned and free from dust
• Raised floor void cleaning
• Subfloor contamination removal
• Rack exterior cleaning
• High-level cleaning
• Airborne particulate control measures
• HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaning
• Damp and tacky wiping systems
• Post-clean reporting
• Certification documentation

Where required, ISO 14644 airborne particulate testing and validation surveys can also be carried out following the clean.

Cleaning Often Identifies Hidden Problems

One overlooked benefit of Data Centre Cleaning is that it often identifies issues that may otherwise go unnoticed.

During the cleaning process, our engineers regularly identify:

• Holes and gaps allowing contamination ingress
• Rodent activity
• Leaking pipework
• Poor cable sealing
• Construction dust contamination
• ACU belt dust contamination
• Water ingress risks
• Damaged floor tiles
• Dust accumulation beneath raised floors
• Airflow obstructions

These issues can then be rectified before they develop into larger operational or reliability problems.

What Affects the Cost of Data Centre Cleaning?

The cost of cleaning a Data Centre, Data Hall, Server Room or Comms Room will vary depending on several factors.

These include:

1. Size of the Environment

Larger Data Halls naturally require more labour and time to clean.

2. Level of Cleaning Required

There is a significant difference between:

• A basic surface clean
• A deep technical clean
• A full ISO 14644 clean

3. Raised Floor Voids

Cleaning beneath raised access floors adds complexity and labour time but is often essential due to contamination build-up within airflow pathways.

4. Internal Equipment Cleaning

Some environments require the internal cleaning of servers, switches, storage arrays or other IT equipment.

5. Contamination Levels

Heavy dust contamination, construction debris, or refurbishment dust may require specialist containment systems and additional airborne particulate control measures.

Average Cost of Data Hall Cleaning

When reviewing our quotations over the last two years, the average cost of cleaning a Data Hall has been approximately:

£2,500

Of course, every environment is different, which is why IT Cleaning Ltd always recommends carrying out a professional site survey before quoting.

Why Choose IT Cleaning Ltd?

IT Cleaning Ltd has over 24 years of experience specialising in technical cleaning and contamination control for mission-critical environments.

We only clean specialist technical environments including:

• Data Centres
• Data Halls
• Server Rooms
• Comms Rooms
• Broadcast Technical Facilities
• Controlled Environments

Our cleaning specifications are aligned with current best practice guidance, including ISO 14644 standards and Data Centre contamination control requirements.

Arrange a Site Survey if you would like to discuss Data Centre Cleaning costs, contamination risks, or arrange a site survey, contact:

Stephen Yates

For a free site survey and quotation contact Stephen Yates.