So… What Is All This ICRA Stuff, Anyway?
- proflexbarriersyst
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Risk assessments. We’ve all survived them. If you’ve spent even five minutes in corporate America, you’ve probably filled out a “risk matrix,” reviewed “internal controls,” or sat through a cyber-security training that warned you not to click on the cat video. Risks everywhere. Clipboards everywhere.
Now enter ICRA — Infection Control Risk Assessment. What is it? How does it work? And why does everyone seem to be talking about it?
Good news: ICRA is simpler than it sounds.
Here’s the quick version. You look at what kind of work you’re doing… then look at where you’re doing it… and voilà — the intersection gives you your ICRA Class Level (anywhere from Class I to Class V). Once you know your class, you simply follow the precautions listed for that level.
Easy. Practical. Surprisingly logical.
Just the other day, a new customer emailed us asking, “Do you have any simple literature that explains the different levels of ICRA containment? I haven’t worked in a hospital recently and need a refresher.” This guy is a seasoned construction pro — he’s built half the known world — but hospitals have their own rulebook, and ICRA is front and center.
There’s no shortage of information online, but our trusted go-to is the ASHE (American Society for Healthcare Engineering) ICRA 2.0 Tool. Their roadmap breaks everything down beautifully:
Type A–D: the category of work you’re doing
Low- to High-Risk: the environment you’re working in
Class I–V: your final ICRA level
Once you’ve landed on your class, ASHE gives you a clean, easy list of the precautions required. No guesswork. No ambiguity. Exactly what you need before a hospital project begins.
At Proflex, all of our doors and walls are engineered to meet ICRA Class IV and V requirements — the toughest environments and the highest standards. We can also outfit your space with HEPA filtration units and offer three different differential pressure monitors, complete with mounting brackets that install in minutes. Fast, compliant, and contractor-friendly.
ICRA might sound intimidating at first, but with the right tools (and the right containment system 😉), you’ll be prepared for any hospital jobsite that comes your way.
📝 Here is a quick list of ICRA FAQs:
What does ICRA stand for? ICRA stands for Infection Control Risk Assessment — a standardized method for managing dust, airflow, and infection control during construction in healthcare facilities.
Why is ICRA important? It protects patients, staff, and visitors from exposure to airborne contaminants released during construction or renovation.
Who uses ICRA? Contractors, facility managers, healthcare construction teams, and infection prevention professionals.
What equipment is typically required for Class IV and V work? Temporary containment walls, HEPA units, negative air pressure monitoring, anterooms, and properly sealed work zones.