Cleanrooms are a critical part of the manufacturing process. They help ensure that products and devices are free from contamination, which can lead to lower quality and increased costs.
Grand View Research states that global cleanroom technology was worth USD 4 billion in 2020, and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% between 2021 and 2028.
However, not all cleanrooms are created equal, as some specifications may be more important than others depending on the type of product being produced and its intended use. Here are seven key features of a cleanroom that cannot be compromised:
Contamination Control
The most critical aspect of a cleanroom standard is its contamination control. If you can’t keep contaminants out, the rest of your cleanroom isn’t worth anything. The success of your cleanroom depends on how well you manage and monitor contamination control.
According to Cleanroom Technology, humans are the main source of contamination in every type of cleanroom. The risk of contamination is present if there is a presence of humans.
Contamination control should be monitored continuously by an automated system such as a particle counter or even an infrared camera. This way, if there is an increase in airborne dust levels over time, you will know immediately and can take action before it becomes too serious a problem for work efficiency.
Particulate Monitoring
As you may have guessed from the name, particulate monitoring is the process of monitoring particles in a cleanroom. These particles can be anything from dust to fibers and even liquid droplets.
Particulate monitoring is important for ensuring that your cleanroom standards are being maintained because if there are too many particulates in your environment, it’ll be difficult to maintain a high level of air quality.
The frequency at which this should happen is based on how large or small your facility is as well as what sort of industry you work in. E.g., pharmaceuticals require more frequent sampling than semiconductor manufacturing.
ISO Standards
The ISO standards are three documents that specify the requirements for cleanrooms and associated environments. These standards were originally developed by the International Standards Organization, but they have been adopted by many other countries as well.
The first standard covers biosafety levels 1 through 3, while the second and third cover biosafety levels 4 through 6. In addition to these three documents, several annexes provide additional specifications and guidance on how to achieve compliance with these ISO standards.
Suppose you’re working in a cleanroom environment where there is even a slight risk of contamination from biological materials. In that case, you should make sure your equipment meets all relevant cleanroom ISO standards.
Air Flow & Pressure Differential
To keep cleanrooms as clean as possible, the airflow and pressure differential must be maintained. This will ensure that all dust particles are kept at a minimum level in the cleanroom itself.
If this isn’t done properly, it can lead to serious consequences such as damage to finished products or even people getting sick due to breathing in too much-unfiltered air.
The overall goal of maintaining an acceptable level of airflow within a cleanroom is so that there is enough oxygen for workers inside without impeding their productivity by making them too hot or too cold, which would also affect their performance.
It also helps ensure that any hazardous materials aren’t spread around unnecessarily by having too much movement from outside sources like fans, doors opening/closing frequently, etc.
According to European Pharmaceutical Review (EPR), airflow distribution within a cleanroom can impact contamination control. Many studies have shown that higher airflow ventilation systems can control the contaminants in cleanroom facilities. Also, maintaining a pressure differential has been found to reduce particle migration.
Room Temperature and Humidity
The room temperature should be between 20°C and 25°C. The relative humidity should be between 40% and 60%, with a constant airflow of at least 0.5m/s. This is important to prevent condensation on your equipment, which can cause corrosion or short circuits.
Additionally, humidity levels lower than 40% are not recommended because they can lead to mold growth in areas where drying is limited.
Room Vibration
Vibration can cause a lot of problems with cleanroom specifications. It’s one of the most important factors in maintaining a cleanroom environment. If you have excessive vibration in your cleanroom, particularly due to passing traffic, your equipment will be more likely to malfunction and become dirty.
Lighting
The light sources in your cleanroom should be filtered to remove UV, IR, and other harmful radiation. The intensity of the lighting should be sufficient to allow for the inspection of equipment. Light fixtures should also be installed to minimize the risk of contamination, such as being placed on an open ceiling.
Conclusion
Cleanroom specifications are an important part of any cleanroom project. You need to know what you need and how much money you want to spend to get a good result.
The most important part of cleanrooms is the cleanliness aspect, as this is what will affect your product quality. This article has gone over some cleanroom specifications that should not be compromised, no matter the cost or size of the project.
