This Recommended Practice (RP), IEST-RP-CC006.4, covers testing methods for characterizing the performance of cleanrooms. It is intended to assist planners, designers, manufacturers, and customers in preparing detailed specifications for cleanroom procurement and for assuring cleanroom operational compliance. Performance tests are recommended for cleanrooms and clean zones in three operational phases. The tests are used to evaluate and characterize the overall performance of the cleanroom or clean zone system.
The test methods provide recommended test equipment and testing procedures for determining performance parameters. Where the test method is affected by the type of cleanroom, alternative procedures are defined. For some of the tests, alternative methods and instrumentation are described, so that different end-use considerations can be accommodated. Alternative methods are not necessarily equivalent.
In contractual agreements, the customer selects the specific tests appropriate to the cleanroom under consideration. Specific acceptance limits are also defined in contractual agreements.
The test methods may also be used or adapted for periodic monitoring of cleanroom or clean zone performance.
Updates included in the latest revision:
New:
- Expanded Parallelism test includes a new section on airflow visualization.
- Added Appendix D—Recovery Test, which features further guidance regarding the practical applica-tion of the recovery test procedure including a method of room recovery using an aerosol Photometer.
- Harmonized the filter leak test with IEST-RP-CC034.
Improved:
- Particle Counter information updated and aligned with ISO standards.
- Tables were revised for easier reading.
- Table 1 was expanded to include updated testing practices and methods.
First printing, March 2026 (Supersedes previous versions, including IEST-RP-CC006.3, IEST-RP-CC006.2, IES-RP-CC-006-84-T)
Testing Cleanrooms was prepared by Working Group 006 of the IEST Contamination Control Division (WG-CC006).
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