How to Upgrade Your Clean Room Effectively

Many people wonder: “My clean room is already built, but the cleanliness level is not sufficient. Can I upgrade it?”
The answer is: Absolutely yes.

Whether you’re working with a modular clean room or an engineering-based clean room, upgrades are possible—though the process, complexity, and cost can vary significantly. Here’s how to systematically upgrade your clean room to meet higher standards, such as upgrading from ISO 8 (Class 100,000) to ISO 5 (Class 100) or better.

1. Upgrade the Air Filtration System

✅ Replace with higher-efficiency filters
Low-grade clean rooms typically use primary and medium/high-efficiency filters. To reach ISO 5, you’ll need to install HEPA (≥99.99% for 0.3μm) or ULPA filters.

✅ Add filtration stages
Move from a 2-stage system to a 3-stage or even 4-stage system:
Primary → Medium → High → Ultra-high efficiency

✅ Increase air changes per hour (ACH)

• ISO 8 typically requires 10–20 ACH

• ISO 5 requires 300–600 ACH
  You may need to replace or upgrade FFUs (Fan Filter Units) to higher power models.

2. Improve Environmental Control Systems

✅ Precision Temperature & Humidity Control
Higher-grade cleanrooms require tighter environmental stability, e.g.:

• Temperature: 22 ± 1°C

• Humidity: 45 ± 5% RH
  This may require upgrading to precision HVAC systems.

✅ Install Smart Monitoring Systems
Add real-time monitoring tools such as:

• Dust particle counters

• Temperature & humidity sensors

• Alarm systems
  These ensure continuous compliance with cleanliness standards.

3. Enhance Personnel & Material Flow Management

✅ Install Air Showers & Clean Lockers
Ensure personnel are fully decontaminated before entry.

✅ Add Buffer Rooms, Pass-Through Windows & Cargo Showers
These measures prevent contamination from material transfer into the clean zone.

Modular vs. Engineering Clean Rooms: What to Know

• Modular clean rooms are easier and more cost-effective to upgrade due to their flexible design and pre-reserved space for future expansion.

• Engineering clean rooms are more rigid. Upgrades often require invasive reconstruction, resulting in higher costs and longer timelines.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading a clean room requires professional evaluation and design, balancing performance improvement and cost control. If you’re considering a clean room upgrade, working with a trusted provider like Dexin Zhiyuan can help you create a tailored plan to meet your cleanliness goals efficiently.