What is a clean room?
Hi there! You know how certain industries have these specific rooms, particularly for manufacturing Healthcare products? Those are clean rooms, though. Consider these the VIP sections of the manufacturing process.
To put it simply, a clean room is an extremely regulated area created to exclude even the smallest particles, such as dust and microorganisms. The goal is to establish a space where the air is extremely filtered and there is little possibility of anything affecting the calibre of the products they are producing.
Cleanroom Classifications
Cleanrooms are categorized according to the concentration and dimensions of airborne particles permitted within a given volume of air. The classification system spans from the most rigorous ISO Class 1 to the least stringent ISO Class 9. Each class is characterized by specific criteria pertaining to particle count and cleanliness standards.
Benefits of Proper Cleanroom Design and Construction
Effective cleanroom design and construction offer a myriad of advantages, such as heightened product quality and yield, bolstered safety, superior contamination control, and increased cost-effectiveness and efficiency. The establishment of a meticulously controlled environment diminishes the risk of contamination, resulting in elevated product quality and yield.
Moreover, the improved safety and contamination control measures contribute to fewer production delays and reduced downtime. The meticulous design and construction of cleanrooms also play a pivotal role in cost savings, minimizing product waste, and optimizing energy consumption.
Well, now when we know that clean rooms are VIP sections, let’s have a look what makes these sections VIP.
The Key Components of a Cleanroom
1. Airtight Enclosure
- Importance: A well-designed cleanroom must be an airtight enclosure. Proper sealing prevents contaminated air from infiltrating the space.
- Function: External pollutants are kept out, maintaining a sterile environment.
2. HEPA Filtration
- Role: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are essential. They efficiently capture airborne particles, maintaining the required cleanliness level.
- Application: HEPA filters protect critical areas and sensitive products.
3. Positive Pressure System
- Purpose: Cleanrooms are typically maintain positive pressure relative to the surrounding environment.
- Benefits:
i. Prevents unfiltered air from entering.
ii. Ensures that air flows from the cleanroom into adjacent areas, minimizing
iii. contamination risk.
4. HVAC Systems
- Critical Role: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are vital.
- Functions:
i. Regulate temperature and humidity.
ii. Control airflow to maintain desired conditions.
5. Cleanroom Furniture and Fixtures
- Purpose-built Items: Purpose-built furniture, workstations, and fixtures are designed for cleanroom use.
- Characteristics:
i. Easy to clean.
ii. Minimize particle generation.
iii. Contribute to overall cleanliness.
6. Cleanroom walls and floors
- The floors and walls of cleanrooms must be smooth, impervious, and free from cracks and crevices. In order to meet ISO class cleanroom standards the walls should be non-shedding.
- The floor of can be either epoxy or Heat welded vinyl. Heat welded floors are easy to clean, resistant to chemicals and are anti slippery.
- Epoxy flooring are cheaper than Heat welded vinyl and can be slippery.
7. Super suits
People working in clean room wear the advanced suits to reduce particle shedding. It feels like they’re getting ready for a space trip, only instead of heading into space, they’re developing life-saving medications or medical device.
8. Air purifiers:
Prior to entering these hygienic rooms, there’s an air shower that resembles a wind tunnel from the future. As you stand inside, filtered air is blasted over you to ensure that you are as particle-free as possible before going inside.
9. Airlocks:
The integrity of the clean room is maintained through Airlocks. Air locks are specialized chambers that act as transitional zones, serving as a buffer between different cleanliness zones. By employing controlled entry and exit procedures, airlocks prevent contaminants from infiltrating the cleanroom, ensuring a consistently controlled and purified atmosphere.
In other words, clean rooms are the superheroes of precision production, guaranteeing that all of the products they make are of the highest calibre and are free of intruders. It’s kind of cool, huh? Do you have any other questions concerning clean rooms?
