Cleanrooms are among the most technical construction projects you can be involved in. Unlike many standard commercial fitouts, they have unique technical demands that directly impact cost, design, and overall feasibility.
Delivering one successfully requires thorough planning and a great deal of upfront preparation, the details of which will be heavily influenced by the facility’s end purpose.
From strict regulatory classifications to sustainability requirements, each element must be carefully assessed to avoid potential issues further down the line.
We have delivered a range of projects for clients across multiple sectors, from microelectronics to medical device manufacturing.
Based on that experience, these are the top 10 factors to consider in a cleanroom feasibility study, far before construction work actually begins.
1. Define the cleanroom’s ISO classification
One of the first steps you should take is determining the necessary ISO classification for the facility. The accreditation system categorises the cleanliness of spaces, such as cleanrooms and other controlled environments, and is based on the number of airborne particles per cubic meter.
Classifications range from ISO Class 1 to 9, with lower numbers more onerous to achieve, requiring stricter air quality standards.
For example, an ISO Class 1 cleanroom – used by the European Space Agency for ultra-sterile environments – demands extensive filtration; more sophisticated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; higher air changes per hour; and larger plant installations, all of which can drive up costs. By contrast, an ISO Class 9 cleanroom offers air quality closer to a standard office environment with fewer technical constraints.
Choosing the appropriate classification early on can help prevent unnecessary design revisions and ensures the cleanroom meets operational needs without inflating expenses.
2. Understand the process undertaken in the room
Linked to the ISO accreditation, a critical part of the feasibility study is identifying the processes that will take place within the cleanroom.
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