Server room & data centre cleaning: real risks and a safe protocol (Vallès and Barcelona Metro Area)

Conductive dust, fibres and airborne residues are silent enemies for your racks: they raise temperatures, trigger intermittent faults and shorten hardware life. This guide lays out the real risks and Net i Pulit’s safe protocol (since 1994) to clean DCs/CPDs, server rooms, UPS and BMS areas without stopping production, with 24/7 coverage across Vallès Occidental/Oriental and Barcelona.

Who this is for

IT managers, facility managers, HSE and operations leaders at data centres, server rooms, Edge/DC, electrical rooms, UPS, BMS, electronics labs and battery plants in Sant Cugat, Cerdanyola, Rubí, Terrassa, Sabadell, Barberà, Badalona, Sant Adrià de Besòs, L’Hospitalet, Cornellà, Sant Boi and nearby.

Why specialised cleaning is critical

• Thermal overload: dust in filters and grills blocks airflow (hot/cold aisle) and pushes up PUE.

• ESD and conductive particles: metallic micro-particles favour discharges and shorts.

• Electronic corrosion: aerosols with sulphur/chlorine compounds damage contacts and PCBs.

• Operational risk: wrong methods (compressed air, harsh chemicals) drive debris into equipment.

• Air quality & pressure: build-ups distort differential pressures and aisle air distribution.

Areas and equipment we clean (without stopping production, if required)

• Racks and cabinets (exteriors), perforated doors, replaceable filters, top trays, exposed cabling.

• Technical ceilings and luminaires, supply/return grilles, CRAC/CRAH outer surfaces.

• Raised floor and sub-plenum (scheduled access), joints and cable penetrations.

• UPS rooms, electrical panels and BMS areas (non-intrusive surface cleaning).

• Access corridors and ante-rooms that feed particles into the critical volume.

Our safe protocol (step by step)

1) Assessment & risk plan

Joint walkthrough, mapping hot/cold aisles and sensitive zones, intervention windows, access permits.

2) Containment & ESD

Tacky mats at entries, ESD gloves/footwear, ESD-safe tools and HEPA H13/H14 certified vacuuming.

3) “Clean-to-dirty” and “top-to-bottom” workflow

Ceilings/diffusers first, then rack exteriors, then raised floor. No compressed air: HEPA vacuum + lightly moistened antistatic microfibre when appropriate.

4) Raised floor & sub-plenum

Controlled panel removal, pressure management, HEPA sub-plenum vacuuming, joints/supports; re-seating and spot sealing.

5) Verification & deliverables

Area checklists, operational photos (no PII), incident log and maintenance plan (monthly/quarterly/biannual).

What we do NOT do (safety best practices)

We don’t open live equipment or handle internal connectors; we don’t use aerosols or compressed air; we don’t move racks or cabling without your technician; we don’t alter set-points or pressures without approval.

Recommended frequency

• Standard office DC/CPD: room quarterly + access areas monthly.

• Dusty/high-traffic environments: room monthly + access bi-weekly checks.

• Battery plants/high-tech: schedule agreed with HSE by particle levels.

How we plan with zero downtime

Night or weekend windows, modular sectorisation, clear aisle signage and IT coordination for any tests.

Insurance, confidentiality and traceability

In-house, ID’d staff trained for critical rooms, current liability insurance and NDA on request. Access logs and signed job reports after each visit.

How we price

Usable area (m²) of room and sub-plenum, number of racks & density, starting condition, time window (night/holidays) and special requirements (restricted zones, escorts, working at height, sealing). With four data points (m², rack count, municipality and preferred time window) we provide a fast price range.

Common mistakes that increase cost

Waiting too long between cleanings; allowing compressed air; ignoring access/ante-rooms; not aligning with air-handling maintenance (clogged filters = rebound effect).

FAQs

• Can you clean while the DC is live? Yes—non-intrusive, zone-by-zone protocol.

• Do racks need to be opened or systems shut down? Not for environmental/surface cleaning. Interiors only with your technician and outside this scope.

• How do you prevent raising dust levels? HEPA extraction, top-to-bottom order and entry containment.

• Do you cover UPS rooms and battery rooms? Yes—surface cleaning coordinated with HSE and maintenance.

• What do you deliver after the job? Checklist, photos, hour log and a recommendations report with schedule.

Need a safe cleaning plan for your CPD or server room in Sant Cugat, Cerdanyola, Terrassa, Sabadell, Badalona or Barcelona? Call 935 890 013 or message us via the website. Get a price range and an intervention window within 24 h.

Pásanos m² de sala, nº de racks y municipio y te preparamos sin coste un calendario orientativo (mensual/trimestral/semestral) y un check-list de acceso para tu equipo.