AusHFG Update: Isolation Rooms – Engineering and Design Requirements (Revision 2.0)

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An updated revision of the AusHFG resource Isolation Rooms – Engineering and Design Requirements (Revision 2.0, April 2026) is now available on the AusHFG website.

This important update provides comprehensive guidance on the engineering and design requirements for isolation rooms used to manage patients requiring transmission-based precautions, as well as those needing protection from external sources of infection.

The revised guideline outlines best practice approaches across room types, design features, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance, supporting healthcare facilities to deliver safe, resilient, and effective infection control environments.

A Collaborative, Evidence-Based Update

This revision has been informed by extensive consultation with:

Engineering and design professionals
Clinicians
Infection prevention and control specialists

The result is a practical, evidence-based resource that reflects current best practice and evolving healthcare needs.

Key Updates and Changes

Refined Design Requirements

Updated guidance provides greater clarity on:

Types of isolation rooms and their applications
Hand basin placement considerations
Air changes per hour (ACH)
HEPA filtration requirements

Introduction of PPVL Rooms

The inclusion of Positive Pressure Ventilated Lobby (PPVL) rooms introduces an additional isolation room type for use in specialised scenarios, expanding design flexibility where clinically appropriate.

Clear Position on Pressure Modes

The guideline reinforces that:

Alternating positive/negative pressure rooms are not recommended
However, Class N rooms may be designed to switch between negative and neutral pressure modes, subject to local project decisions and operational considerations

Isolation Pods and Scalable Design

New guidance supports the development of isolatable units or pods, enabling healthcare facilities to scale isolation capacity across clusters of beds or entire wards — an increasingly important consideration in surge planning.

Air Handling and Risk-Based Design

Updated advice confirms that:

Multiple Class N isolation rooms may be served by a common air handling unit
This approach must be supported by a risk assessment, particularly considering operational impacts in the event of system failure

Improved Airflow Design (CFD-Informed)

Revised recommendations, supported by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies, include:

Locating the exhaust grille on the ceiling above the patient
Positioning the supply air diffuser on the ceiling near the foot of the bed

This represents a shift from previous low-level exhaust configurations and reflects improved understanding of airflow dynamics.

Enhanced Containment Measures

Key updates include:

Interlocked anteroom doors to support containment (with emergency break-glass override)
Improved strategies to minimise air leakage and guidance on pressure testing

Monitoring and Building Integration

Revised guidance recommends:

Local audible and visual alarms for Class P, N and Q rooms
Remote monitoring via Building Management Systems (BMS)

This ensures greater visibility, responsiveness, and operational control.

Supporting Safer Healthcare Environments

This updated guideline reinforces the critical role of engineering, design, and operational alignment in infection prevention and control.

By incorporating the latest technical insights and practical considerations, Revision 2.0 provides healthcare organisations with a stronger framework to deliver safe, adaptable, and future-ready isolation environments.

Acknowledgements

A sincere thank you is extended to all contributors involved in the review and update of this document. Their expertise and collaboration have been instrumental in strengthening this essential resource for the healthcare sector.