Clean Room Design Made Easy: 4 Key Elements

Clean Room Design Made Easy: 4 Key Elements

Industries that depend on preventing contamination and particle-induced defects need clean rooms. Some industries that use clean rooms include medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing.

The critical role of clean room design became evident after a meningitis outbreak in 2012. A New England Compounding Pharmacy’s product became contaminated with fungus. Over 800 people developed meningitis and 64 people died.

Thus, care is essential in designing every aspect of clean rooms. Continue reading to learn about key guidelines to consider.

What Is a Cleanroom?

The purpose of cleanrooms is to limit particulate matter in the environment. Cleanrooms must meet strict regulatory requirements.

Cleanrooms are tested for compliance on a scheduled basis. These environments need more energy, air, and advanced technology than in other areas.

Key Elements Needed in a Clean Room Design

Cleanroom design must include several essential features and practices.

1. Personnel Behavior

Cleanroom workers introduce a significant element to the purity of the room. Thus, everyone must adhere to the clean environment rules. This includes:

• Only use products designed for cleanrooms such as cleanroom wipes, sticky mats, and cleanroom garments
• Only the minimum number of trained staff should work in the cleanroom
• Staff should stay away from the cleanroom when only monitoring
• No personal items should enter the cleanroom including jewelry, briefcases, or handbags
• No make-up is allowed
• Food and beverages should never enter the cleanroom
• Fast movement should not occur as this increases stronger particle emission
• Coughing and/or sneezing must not occur in critical work areas
• Only materials and objects needed for production should remain in the cleanroom
• Adhere to the rules of donning and removing isolation gear

When cleaning this critical environment, only use approved wipes and cleaning materials. If taking notes, only use a ballpoint or fiber-tip pens on cleanroom suitable paper.

2. Space Airflow Supply

Airflow plays a key role in limiting sideways movement of contaminants in cleanrooms. The temperature and humidity of the air entering the room are rigidly controlled.
All air moves through regulated, efficient particulate air filters. Once it enters the room, it flows in a laminar movement. Laminar airflow describes the smooth flow of air in a regular path.

3. Space Pressurization

All cleanrooms must have a positive air pressure space. This is used for transitioning from the “dirty” environment.

Neutral or negative pressure spaces can’t maintain the required cleanliness classification differential. Thus, creating a positive differential decreases the chance of introducing contaminants.

4. Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient designs are important. Cleanrooms can use 50 times more energy than regular office space. The fans that keep the air conditions and filtration levels constant use the most energy. Thus, attention to fan selection can impact your energy costs.

Choose direct-drive fans with high-efficiency motors. Low component pressure drop systems maintain air velocity. This decreases pressure drop across coils and filters.

Are You Tasked with Designing a Cleanroom?

Working with experts in cleanroom design can ensure that your company meets the highest standards. They can also help ensure high energy efficiency.

High-Tech Conversions provide state-of-the-art cleanroom supplies. We also offer cleaning products specified for cleanroom use. You can trust our products in cleanrooms, PCB assembly lines, manufacturing, and labs.

Contact us today to learn more about our products.