6 Industrial Cleanroom (ICR) Design Tips That Entrepreneurs Must Pay Attention To

Designing an industrial cleanroom, also known as an Industrial Cleanroom (ICR) , is one of the investments that requires the highest precision for entrepreneurs in the manufacturing industry. Whether it is the semiconductor, electronics, medical device, or cannabis CBD extraction industry, a good design will help significantly reduce production costs, minimize waste, and extend the lifespan of equipment.

However, designing a successful industrial cleanroom is more complex than it seems, as it requires considering the cleanliness level, layout flexibility, HVAC systems, airflow patterns, and long-term quality control processes. Today, the expert team from VOV International has compiled 6 essential tips that entrepreneurs must know before starting to build an industrial cleanroom.

What is an Industrial Cleanroom (ICR)?

An Industrial Cleanroom (ICR) is an enclosed space that controls the amount of airborne particles, temperature, humidity, and pressure to specified levels in accordance with ISO 14644 standards, to support manufacturing processes that require highly clean environments, such as the production of electronic components, semiconductors, and pharmaceutical products.

6 Tips to Consider in Industrial Cleanroom Design

Design the cleanliness level to exactly meet the requirements; no need to be unnecessarily clean
Design for manufacturing flexibility to accommodate future expansion or modifications
Arrange equipment appropriately, using dedicated areas for equipment requiring high cleanliness
Regularly inspect the manufacturing process tools
Designed to be free from vibration and electromagnetic interference
Control cleanliness and implement comprehensive maintenance methods

1. Design the cleanliness level to fit the requirements, no need to be overly clean

The most important fundamental principle of industrial cleanroom design is selecting a cleanliness level appropriate for the actual manufacturing process, not always opting for the highest level. This is because increasing the cleanliness level by just one step (e.g., from ISO 7 to ISO 6) can increase construction and operational costs by up to 2-3 times.

Entrepreneurs should study the ISO 14644-1 Standard , which defines cleanroom classifications according to ISO Class 1-9 based on the quantity of various particle sizes per cubic meter. It should be noted that each industry has clearly different requirements.

Comparison Table of ISO Class Levels for Various Industries

ISO CLASS	Maximum Particle Concentration (≥0.5µm/m³)	Applicable Industries	Strictness Level
ISO Class 5	3,520	Semiconductor, Optics, HDD	Very High
ISO Class 6	35,200	Advanced Electronics, Pharma	High
ISO Class 7	352,000	Medical Devices, PCB, CBD	Medium
ISO Class 8	3,520,000	Food, Pharmaceuticals, Plastics	Low-Medium

💡 Recommendation: Cleanliness level inspection and certification should be conducted by certified experts. See more at VOV International's Cleanroom Testing Services. of VOV International

2. Design for Manufacturing Flexibility to Accommodate Potential New Systems in the Future

The electronics and semiconductor industries are continuously developing technologies. An inflexible industrial cleanroom design will lead to high costs when production processes need to be modified in the future. Therefore, planning ahead for system expansion or modification is essential.

Factors to consider for flexibility include:

HVAC systems that support increasing or decreasing clean air production capacity without having to dismantle the main structure
Removable and replaceable walls and ceilings (Modular System), such as PIR Panel walls

Experts from IEST Recommended Practices suggest that air system design should have a Design Margin of at least 20-30% to accommodate future expansion.

3. Arrange Equipment Appropriately, Use Dedicated Rooms for Equipment Requiring High Cleanliness

Equipment Zoning is one of the most cost-effective methods in industrial cleanroom design. Instead of maintaining the highest cleanliness level across the entire area, designers divide zones based on the actual required cleanliness levels.

Good layout principles consist of:

Define Critical Zone – The area requiring the highest cleanliness, placing only essential equipment.
Define Clean Zone – The general working area of the cleanroom
Design walkways to minimize personnel movement through clean zones as much as possible.

Good zone planning will significantly reduce the energy consumed by the HVAC air conditioning system, as there is no need to maintain high-level air conditions in every area.

4. Regularly Inspect Manufacturing Process Tools

Tools and equipment in the manufacturing process within an industrial cleanroom are among the largest sources of particles and contaminants. Regularly inspecting tools is therefore not just maintenance, but a direct protection of the manufacturing process quality.

Recommended practices:

Establish a cleaning and inspection schedule for tools based on their type and frequency of use.
Install a real-time air condition monitoring system to detect abnormal increases in particles
Train employees to understand the procedures for cleaning tools before and after use

VOV International is one of the first companies in Thailand to receive NEBB certification for cleanroom testing. See more information at our VOV Cleanroom Testing Services .

5. Design to be Free from Vibration and Electromagnetic Interference

Vibration and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) are often overlooked factors in industrial cleanroom design, but they directly affect precision in the manufacturing process, especially in the production of nanometer-scale electronic components.

Preventive measures that should be taken right from the design stage:

Choose a construction site away from vibration sources such as main roads, railways, or heavy factories.
Design the foundation and building structure with a Vibration Damping system or Isolation Pads
Install equipment with motors or high vibrations, such as pumps and fans, on separate supporting bases
Use standard wiring and grounding systems to reduce EMI and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Consulting with cleanroom design experts before deciding on a construction site is a step that saves more costs in the long run than making corrections later.

6. Control Cleanliness and Implement Comprehensive Maintenance Methods

Controlling cleanliness in an industrial cleanroom does not mean just cleaning surfaces; it includes designing systems and procedures that prevent the generation of contaminants from the very beginning, whether during construction, testing, or actual operation.

A comprehensive maintenance plan should include:

Establishing a Cleaning Protocol for floors, walls, ceilings, and each type of equipment.
Controlling personnel access using a Gowning Room and correct Change Room procedures.
Inspecting HEPA Filters and air filtration systems at scheduled intervals.
Systematically logging inspections and troubleshooting.
Regularly training all employees who access the cleanroom area.

Furthermore, during the construction of the cleanroom itself, contractors must follow a Construction Cleanliness Protocol to prevent contamination before the room is even put into operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much budget is required for designing an Industrial Cleanroom (ICR)?

The budget for designing and constructing an industrial cleanroom depends on several factors, including the required ISO Class level, area size, HVAC system used, and optional accessories. Generally, a small-sized (50-100 sq.m.) ISO Class 7 cleanroom has a starting cost of approximately 2-5 million baht, while an ISO Class 5 for semiconductors can reach tens of millions of baht or more.

How does an ICR differ from a medical cleanroom?

An Industrial Cleanroom (ICR) is designed to support manufacturing processes requiring a clean environment, focusing primarily on particle and ESD control. Meanwhile, a medical cleanroom (e.g., an operating room) incorporates additional Microbial Control in accordance with GMP or ISO 13485 standards, resulting in stricter requirements for sterilization systems and materials used.

How often should an industrial cleanroom be tested?

The ISO 14644 standard recommends testing cleanrooms every 6-12 months, depending on the ISO Class and the risks associated with the manufacturing process. For ISO Class 5 and lower (cleaner), testing should be conducted every 6 months, while ISO Class 7-8 might be tested once a year. Additionally, testing should be performed after every system repair or modification.

What are the main reasons an industrial cleanroom fails to meet standards?

The most common causes include HEPA Filter leaks (HEPA Leak), insufficient airflow from the HVAC system, personnel movements that do not follow the Protocol, and manufacturing process equipment that is not cleaned as scheduled. The best prevention is proper design from the beginning and regular testing.

How should entrepreneurs choose a cleanroom design contractor?

ควรเลือกบริษัทที่มีประสบการณ์ตรงในการออกแบบ ก่อสร้าง และทดสอบห้องคลีนรูมอุตสาหกรรม มีใบรับรองมาตรฐานสากล เช่น NEBB และมีผลงานอ้างอิงในอุตสาหกรรมที่ต้องการ สอบถาม Reference Project จากลูกค้าเดิมและขอดู Certification ก่อนตัดสินใจ

Summary: A Good Industrial Cleanroom Design Starts with Proper Planning

You should choose a company with direct experience in the design, construction, and testing of industrial cleanrooms, possessing international standard certifications such as NEBB, and having reference works in the required industry. Ask for Reference Projects from previous clients and request to see their Certification before making a decision.

If you are planning to build an industrial cleanroom or looking to improve an existing system, contact the VOV International expert team today. We have over 20 years of experience in designing, constructing, and testing cleanrooms for clients in leading industries throughout Thailand and the region.