Class 100 Clean Laboratory

Now what does class 100 have to do with data recovery? What does it mean anyways?

Class 100 clean laboratory is a term often thrown about by data recovery companies and for good reason too. Now let’s define the term “Class 100 laboratory”

Definition Of Class 100 Clean Lab

A clean lab is a controlled environment where the amount of particles in the air is being controlled. That means dust, skin flakes, mould, things which you cannot see unless you have a microscope.

Now, a class 100 clean lab would mean that no more than 100 of these particles should be present in a cubic foot of air. That’s not a whole lot.

If you stand still, you are emitting 100,000 particles. Imagine how much more you emit once you start to move.

Thus, in a clean laboratory, air flow, work stations, equipment and personnel are controlled to ensure that the laboratory standards are upheld.

Clean Laboratories And Data Recovery

Now we have established the meaning, we now need a reason why it is necessary to have a class 100 clean lab for recovery work.

How Hard Disks Work

To have a better understanding why a class 100 clean lab is need, you should know how hard disks work

The distance between the read write head and hard disk platters are VERY VERY small. The platters move at a high speed so that there is a layer of air above it, which enables the read-write head to float above the platters.

How Particles Can Cause Crashes

Now when dust (or any other particles) enters this space, it disrupts air flow and literally causes the read-write head to crash onto the platters, hence the term head crash.

Once the read-write head crashes onto the platter, it scratches the platter. The platter is where all your data is stored, so once its gone, it’s like burning all your documents in fire. You no longer can access it.

Also, once the read-write head crashes onto the platter, the scratch itself will produce more particles, and thus a chain reaction will occur and no one will be able to recovery your data for you.