AIIRs Explained: Negative Air Isolation Rooms for Infection Control
Updated September 4, 2025
Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIRs) play a critical role in protecting patients, staff, and visitors from airborne diseases. In healthcare settings, especially during renovations or patient surges, AIIRs are essential for maintaining infection control and meeting compliance standards.
What is an AIIR?
An Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR), also called a negative air isolation room, is a single-patient room designed to contain airborne pathogens. By maintaining negative pressure and using sealed construction, AIIRs prevent contaminated air from escaping into adjacent patient care areas.
According to CDC guidelines, if exhausting air directly outdoors isn’t practical, air from an AIIR must be passed through a HEPA filter before it's returned to any ventilated space or recirculated within the HVAC system.
Why Are AIIRs Important?
AIIRs are critical in protecting patients, staff, and visitors during infectious disease outbreaks and everyday hospital operations. They are typically used for patients with airborne diseases such as:
Tuberculosis
Measles and chickenpox
Severe respiratory infections (e.g., SARS, MERS)
Seasonal and emerging influenzas
Without proper containment, airborne pathogens can spread beyond isolation rooms, creating risks for both vulnerable patients and healthcare workers.
Key Requirements for AIIRs
For an AIIR to function properly, it must meet specific standards:
Sealed construction: Rooms must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.
Air changes per hour (ACH): A minimum of 12 ACH is recommended.
Negative pressure differential: Maintain at least 0.03-inch water column.
Exhaust/filtration: Air should be vented outdoors or filtered through HEPA systems.
How STARC Temporary Walls Support Rapid AIIR Deployment
Creating or expanding AIIR capacity is often challenging during renovations or patient surges. That’s where modular temporary wall systems come in.
STARC’s RealWall™, LiteBarrier™, and FireblockWall™ systems make it possible to:
Rapidly deploy negative air spaces — up to 100 feet of airtight wall installed in under an hour.
Maintain airtight seals with floor-to-ceiling gaskets and integrated negative air panels.
Exceed ICRA Class IV/V standards, supporting infection control requirements during construction and surge events.
Integrate with HEPA or negative air machines using built-in duct collars and pressure ports.
Ensure reusability and sustainability — walls can be cleaned, disinfected, and reused across multiple projects, saving both time and money.
See how
How-To: Creating a Temporary AIIR with Modular Walls
Identify the isolation needDetermine which patient care areas require barriers.Install airtight modular wallsUse RealWall™, LiteBarrier™, or FireblockWall™ systems to create a sealed perimeter.Integrate negative airConnect built-in duct collars to HEPA filtration or negative air machines.Verify complianceTest pressure differential and confirm 12 ACH minimum.Maintain cleanlinessDisinfect panels regularly with standard antimicrobial solutions.
FAQs About Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms
Q: How is an AIIR different from a standard patient room?
An AIIR uses negative air pressure to keep airborne pathogens from escaping, while a standard room does not.
Q: What are the minimum standards for AIIR ventilation?
AIIRs require at least 12 air changes per hour (ACH) and a pressure differential of 0.03-inch water column.
Q: Can temporary walls be used to create AIIRs?
Yes. STARC’s modular wall systems exceed ICRA Class IV/V standards and integrate with negative air machines to create compliant isolation spaces.
Q: Are STARC walls reusable?
Absolutely. STARC walls are designed for years of reuse, making them cost-effective compared to drywall.
Takeaway: Building Safer Isolation Capacity
Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms are a cornerstone of infection control in healthcare facilities. With the right combination of ventilation and airtight modular walls, hospitals can create compliant AIIRs quickly—protecting patients, staff, and communities during both everyday care and infectious disease outbreaks.