Airkey, a China-based cleanroom manufacturer, has successfully designed, built, and delivered a fully free-standing ISO 8 modular cleanroom for a customer in Australia that provides product development services to the pharmaceutical, veterinary, cosmeceutical, and food industries. The project stands out not only for its technical features but also for how it addressed an unusual site constraint and won over a skeptical client through hands-on demonstration.
A flexible workspace for multiple industries
The cleanroom measures 10,450 mm in length, 3,500 mm in width, and 3,000 mm in internal height, providing approximately 36.5 square meters of workspace. It achieves ISO 8 (Class 100,000) cleanliness, which is suitable for many product development and testing applications across the pharmaceutical, veterinary, cosmeceutical, and food sectors.
The layout follows a logical contamination control sequence, with a changing room, a buffer room, and finally the laboratory area. This three-stage entry allows personnel to progress from street clothing to cleanroom garments while gradually reducing the risk of bringing particles into the sensitive workspace.
A split air conditioning system maintains comfortable temperatures for staff who may spend extended hours conducting development work.
Solving an uneven floor without modifications
The installation site presented a significant challenge. The building floor was extremely uneven, and the owner explicitly prohibited any rework or modification to the existing floor surface. In many cleanroom projects, an uneven floor would require grinding, levelling compound, or a new concrete pour – options that were off the table for this Australian client.
Airkey's solution was to install adjustable raised floors. These floors are designed with height-adjustable supports that can be individually set to compensate for variations in the underlying surface. The raised floor system creates a new, perfectly level working surface without any alteration to the original building floor.
The cleanroom itself is then built on top of this levelled raised floor, ensuring that walls, door frames, and ceiling components align correctly. This approach protected the client's existing floor while delivering a structurally sound and professionally finished cleanroom. The elevated design also creates a small underfloor space that can be used for cable management or airflow return, depending on the configuration.
Winning over a worried client through factory demonstration
The Australian client had concerns about on-site installation. Experience with previous construction projects may have led to worries about timeline, quality, or unexpected complications. Rather than simply reassuring the client with words, Airkey took a different approach.
The company scheduled a date for the client to visit the factory in China. During this visit, Airkey began assembling the cleanroom in the factory while the client watched. Over the course of two days, the client observed the entire construction process, learned how the modular components fit together, and even tried assembling some sections personally.
This hands-on demonstration served multiple purposes. The client saw exactly how the system works, from the aluminium frame connections to the panel installation. The two-day timeline showed that assembly is straightforward and efficient. The client's own attempts at assembly confirmed that no specialised construction skills or heavy tools are required. By the end of the visit, the client had moved from worried to confident.
Testing that leaves no doubt
After completing the factory assembly, Airkey conducted a full series of performance tests with the client present. These tests included illuminance measurements to confirm proper lighting levels, particle counts to verify ISO 8 cleanliness, and air speed measurements to check airflow uniformity.
Seeing the test equipment produce real-time data provided objective evidence that the cleanroom met its design specifications. For a client serving regulated industries like pharmaceuticals and veterinary products, this documentation is essential for internal quality processes and potential future audits.
A satisfied customer
The client left the factory extremely satisfied. The cleanroom was not only technically compliant but also visually impressive - beautiful and rigid, in the client's words.
The easy installation process, demonstrated and proven in the factory, meant that on-site assembly in Australia would proceed with minimal risk of delays or surprises.
Why factory pre-assembly matters for international projects
This project illustrates the value of factory pre-assembly and client involvement for international cleanroom deliveries. When a client is thousands of kilometres away, concerns about installation quality and timeline are natural. By inviting the client to the factory, Airkey transformed those concerns into confidence.
The factory visit also served as an informal training session. The client's staff learned the assembly process firsthand, which can be valuable for future reconfiguration or expansion. The two-day assembly timeline demonstrated that the modular system is truly designed for rapid deployment.
For the Australian client, the factory visit eliminated the uncertainty that often accompanies cross-border construction projects. They returned home knowing exactly what would arrive, how it would go together, and what performance to expect.
Project takeaways
Dimensions: 10,450 mm (L) × 3,500 mm (W) × 3,000 mm (H)
Area: Approximately 36.5 m²
Cleanliness: ISO 8 (Class 100,000)
Structure: Fully free-standing, no ceiling suspension required
Layout: Changing room → Buffer room → Laboratory area
Temperature control: Split AC system
Flooring: Adjustable raised floors to compensate for uneven building floor
Quality assurance: Factory pre-assembly, client witnessed construction, full performance testing
Contact Airkey today to discuss how our ISO-certified modular cleanrooms can enhance your production quality and efficiency.
Website: www.airkeyx.com
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