Any time you can limit traffic in and out of the cleanroom itself, you’re also limiting the potential for contaminants to enter your controlled plastics industry cleanroom — which is what makes cleanroom storage such an important consideration in cleanroom design. Let’s take a look at some of the best cleanroom storage solutions you can use in your plastics manufacturing cleanrooms and how to choose the right cleanroom storage for your application and needs.

Best Cleanroom Storage Solutions for Plastics Manufacturing Cleanrooms

As a vital part of cleanroom design, cleanroom storage can be used to keep just about anything and everything you’ll need during cleanroom operation accessible and safe. This could include supplies, tools and equipment relevant to the work you do, but also can include cleaning materials and solutions. 

A few of the best ways to contain and conveniently store everything you need in your plastics industry cleanroom include cleanroom cabinets, shelves, and other cleanroom furniture with storage.

Cleanroom Cabinets

Cabinetry is a great way to keep materials and supplies out of sight and out of your way. They can be effectively built into your cleanroom under countertops or mounted to the ceiling to make use of vertical space.

Cleanroom cabinets can be made from a variety of materials including stainless steel, epoxy, acrylic, polyurethane, and laminate. The right material for you will depend on your cleanroom classification — particularly if the cleanroom storage needs to be resistant to the chemicals you use for cleaning or sterilization.

Cleanroom Shelves

Open wire shelving is a great option for plastics industry cleanrooms that don’t use corrosive agents in operation or for cleaning. Either chrome-plated wire or polymer shelving are both effective and strong materials that are about a third the cost of stainless steel. 

Another advantage of wire shelving is, if your cleanroom uses a vertical airflow pattern, it allows the air to move freely, limiting the potential collection of contaminants.

Cleanroom Furniture

Cleanroom tables with built-in storage as drawers or shelves can be another great option for organization in your cleanroom. When choosing cleanroom tables, consider the right size and height that will give your employees the most comfort, or opt for an adjustable-height table or workstation to allow for more flexibility.

Surfaces can also be used to store smaller cabinets or containers for supplies you use regularly, though must be thoroughly cleaned around and under to minimize any risk of contamination. 

How to Choose Cleanroom Storage

Cleanroom storage like cleanroom cabinets and shelves, as well as other cleanroom furniture used in a controlled environment must be compatible with cleanroom use and limit any collection of contaminants

When choosing cleanroom storage, consider your cleanroom’s airflow pattern to avoid obstructing your HVAC and filtration system. Your cleanroom storage should also be able to withstand the materials you use for cleaning without corroding or shedding particles. 

Also, consider the conditions of your work. If your cleanroom operations or staff are endangered by static electricity, avoid conductive materials unless you have a method to ground potential charges.

Interested in creative storage solutions for your cleanroom? Let Angstrom Technology help. Our professional cleanroom designers can help build storage into your cleanroom design in a way that is effective, safe, and contaminant-free. Reach out to us online or give us a call to get started.

From arranging walls to furniture to equipment, there are several things to consider when designing the best cleanroom layout, including what will provide optimal airflow, allow for easy cleaning, keep the space organized and efficient, and — most importantly — help meet strict cleanroom classifications.

What’s the Best Cleanroom Layout?

The best cleanroom layout for your space should not just hold the stuff you need to do your work, but also determine the flow of air and people through the room. It should work with your cleanroom classification and industry requirements, set you up for success with your current project, and be adaptable to evolve with your work. 

Using Cleanroom Design to Build Your Ideal Cleanroom Layout

The best cleanroom layout for you will likely look different from other cleanrooms, other industries, and other applications. To determine which priorities of cleanroom design will affect your ideal cleanroom layout, you’ll need to focus on three areas: the space you have to work with, your cleanroom classifications, and the cleanroom systems that power and maintain your cleanroom standards. 

Your application may have other factors to consider, like industry-specific equipment, protocols, or blank — which each may require dedicated space within your cleanroom — but designing the best cleanroom layout starts with the three basics of space, classification, and systems.

Consider Your Available Space

How much space are you working with will determine the limitations of your cleanroom size, and also where creative choices with your cleanroom layout can maximize the functionality of smaller spaces or use wide spaces effectively without wasted energy.

If you’re building your cleanroom in an existing structure, your cleanroom layout may be connected to your building structure, use established windows as an efficient light source, or establish a custom ceiling height to fit oversized equipment or products. 

A certain cleanroom type may be better for you, depending on your ISO classification and project needs. Each may offer unique layout options, flexibility, and capacity to reach stringent standards. The main three types of cleanrooms are HardWall, SoftWall and RigidWall cleanrooms:

• HardWall Cleanrooms: can reach any cleanroom classification, even ISO Class 1. They come pre-wired and pre-insulated for simple assembly on-site.
• SoftWall Cleanrooms: are recommended for cleanrooms ISO Classes 4-8. Their flexible and lightweight construction means they can be easily configured and reconfigured to any cleanroom layout you choose.
• RigidWall Cleanrooms: are best for cleanrooms ISO 5-8. RigidWall cleanrooms feature clear, flat panels — great for showing off your work to investors or executives.

Using modular cleanroom panels enables you to modify your layout easily as your work evolves. Simply add or subtract panels to expand or contract your cleanroom space, or rearrange panels to suit a new cleanroom layout or redesign project.

Meet Your Cleanroom Classification

Your cleanroom layout should work to meet your cleanroom classification and other industry standards. If you have industry-specific equipment to include in your cleanroom design, the cleanroom layout needs to accommodate paths for employees to work around and service various equipment. You may also require custom door heights or extra-wide pathways to move products, carts, or equipment around the cleanroom. In addition to airflow pattern, your cleanroom layout should consider the best traffic pattern for successful operations. 

Integrate Your Cleanroom Systems

The best cleanroom layout for your space should incorporate all the cleanroom systems you rely on to control your environment, including cleanroom filtration, your cleanroom hvac, lighting, and more.  

If your cleanroom needs to comply with strict particle count or air change requirements to meet its classification, you’ll need a cleanroom layout that allows air to move freely and uniformly through your space, limiting turbulence and facilitating adequate filtration. Be sure to design a layout that is big enough to hold all of your equipment and cleanroom furniture, but not much bigger — unused space is extra air that needs to be filtered and treated in your cleanroom, which costs extra energy and money to maintain.

Work With a Professional Cleanroom Design Expert

Especially if you have stringent standards, it’s a good idea to work with a cleanroom design expert when building your cleanroom layout. A professional cleanroom designer can build the cleanroom that’s ideal for your application, customize it to your needs, then quickly set it up on site, minimizing disruption to your facility’s operations.

Could your cleanroom benefit from a new layout? Whether you’re starting from scratch or planning your cleanroom redesign, Angstrom Technology can help make it a success. Our cleanroom experts can design the ideal cleanroom layout to encourage optimal airflow and reduce strain on your HVAC and filtration systems. Give us a call to get started!