Cleanroom Design Archives - Angstrom Technology

The Hidden Pitfalls That Derail Cleanroom Design Projects (And How We Prevent Them)

by Nathan Lamberts | Sep 30, 2025 | Cleanroom Design

After more than three decades designing and building cleanrooms across industries, we’ve learned an important truth: it’s rarely the obvious issues that derail a project.

Instead, subtle design oversights (the ones that don’t show up until much later) can trigger contamination risks, compliance failures, and costly retrofits.

In this article, we’ll share the three most common pitfalls we see in cleanroom design, even on well-funded, well-planned projects, and how our team helps clients avoid them before they turn into expensive problems.

How To Avoid the Top 3 Pitfalls in Cleanroom Design

Designing a cleanroom is complex, but understanding the most common mistakes can save you time, money, and compliance headaches. And these aren’t just the obvious mistakes—these are the pitfalls our engineers see time and again that can derail projects months later. Thankfully, we know how to navigate these challenges.

Pitfall #1: Overlooking Airflow Patterns

The Problem:
Airflow is the heart of any cleanroom. If airflow isn’t designed correctly, you risk:

Creating areas where contaminants can collect.
Allowing particles to flow directly onto sensitive work areas.
Failing to achieve the required air changes per hour (ACH) or proper pressure differentials.
Falling short of ISO classification requirements—leading to compliance issues and costly downtime.

How Angstrom Prevents It:
Our in-house engineering team ensures optimal airflow by:

Using advanced modeling to design patterns that meet or exceed required cleanroom classifications.
Strategically positioning HEPA or ULPA filters to maintain air quality.
Balancing pressure differentials for proper contamination control.
Determining the best airflow type (laminar or turbulent) for your process.
Collaborating early with your team to ensure airflow supports your manufacturing needs.

Pitfall #2: Underestimating Space Requirements

The Problem:
Poor space planning can cause:

Cramped workflows that slow productivity.
Safety hazards for operators and technicians.
Limited room for proper gowning, material flow, or storage.
Costly disruptions when future expansion or equipment changes are needed.

How Angstrom Prevents It:
We design cleanrooms with efficiency and growth in mind by:

Analyzing workflow, equipment placement, and operator movement to optimize layout.
Allocating dedicated space for gowning rooms, material staging, and storage.
Planning for future expansion without disrupting operations.
Coordinating with your team to align space needs with both current and long-term goals.

Pitfall #3: Failing to Plan for Future Validation & Compliance

The Problem:
Without proper planning for ongoing compliance, you may face:

Difficult or disruptive re-certification processes.
Limited access to equipment or systems during inspections.
Unexpected costs for modifications to meet updated standards.
Risk of noncompliance with regulatory requirements or failure to maintain required cleanroom classifications.

How Angstrom Prevents It:
We design cleanrooms to make compliance simple by:

Ensuring easy access to equipment, filtration systems, and utilities for inspections and repairs.
Aligning designs with ISO standards, USP 797/800 guidelines, and industry-specific regulations from the start.
Incorporating features that support smooth re-certification and maintenance.
Offering lifecycle services—including maintenance, re-certification, and upgrades—to keep your cleanroom compliant for the long term.

Angstrom Technology: A Cleanroom Design You Can Trust for the Long Term

Avoiding these pitfalls isn’t just about saving money in the short term—it’s about protecting your investment, ensuring compliance, and creating a space that works for you well into the future.

When you partner with Angstrom Technology, you get a consultative team that anticipates challenges, solves problems before they happen, and supports you through the entire cleanroom lifecycle and beyond.

Ready to start your cleanroom project? Contact our design experts today or download our Cleanroom Product Guide to take the first step toward a high-performance, future-ready cleanroom.

What are the Benefits of Modular Cleanroom Systems?

by Angstrom Tech | Oct 18, 2024 | Cleanroom Design, Cleanrooms

If your company already has a cleanroom or is in the process of getting one, you likely understand the crucial role it plays in your operations. However, have you considered the type of cleanroom that best suits your needs?

There are two main types of cleanrooms: a traditionally constructed space and a modular cleanroom.

Modular cleanrooms have numerous benefits compared to traditional construction – let’s dive in further.

The 5 Main Benefits of Modular Cleanroom Systems

If your company is seeking a cleanroom with top-tier flexibility, efficiency, and effectiveness, modular cleanrooms are probably the best option. We’re here to tell you all about them.

1. Modular Cleanrooms Are Free-Standing

Free-standing, modular cleanrooms can be built without extensive construction or renovation (not to mention the costs and disruption those processes entail). Whether the best location is in the middle of a large open production floor or tucked back in a corner, these controlled environments can go anywhere. You don’t need to build walls or change existing ones, and electricity and plumbing are already engineered into the cleanroom as part of the modular design.

2. Modular Cleanrooms Can Be Built Within a Shorter Timeframe

Building cleanrooms from a pre-designed kit with all the building materials included and the design already complete is faster and much more efficient than starting from scratch. With modular cleanrooms, the design is finalized, the materials are pre-selected, and the construction process is simplified. This streamlined approach allows for quicker installation, reducing downtime and helping you get up and running faster.

3. Modular Cleanrooms Are Easier To Modify or Expand

Should your company’s cleanroom needs ever change, modifying a modular cleanroom is much easier than renovating or remodeling a traditionally constructed space. Modular cleanroom walls can be easily moved to accommodate a new cleanroom layout and expanded by adding additional wall pieces. You don’t need to start fresh with all new materials every time your cleanroom needs change – saving you money and avoiding downtime.

4. Modular Cleanrooms Can Be Built From a Range of Materials

Another key advantage of modular cleanrooms is the flexibility to choose from a wide range of materials that best meet your operational requirements. Whether you need high-grade stainless steel, aluminum, or another type of specialized panel, you can select materials that offer the durability, chemical resistance, or contamination control required for your specific environment. This customization ensures your cleanroom will withstand your industry’s demands, whether you’re in pharmaceuticals, biotech, or manufacturing.

5. Modular Cleanrooms Require Minimal Maintenance

Modular cleanrooms are designed for convenience and efficiency, requiring far less maintenance than traditionally constructed spaces. Their modular design allows individual panels to be easily disassembled and reassembled, making repairs or replacements simple without needing extensive reconstruction. Traditional cleanrooms may require more invasive and costly maintenance – modular cleanrooms offer a straightforward solution that minimizes downtime and keeps operations running smoothly.

Ready to Transform Your Cleanroom Space?

Here at Angstrom, we’re proud to be a leader in the modular cleanroom industry. We offer top-of-the-line, tailored solutions for projects of any size and classification. Whether you need a compact cleanroom or a large-scale controlled environment, we can design and build a modular system that meets your precise specifications.

Contact Angstrom today for expert guidance on your modular cleanroom needs and take the next step toward creating a flexible, efficient, and reliable cleanroom for your business.

Cleanroom Construction: Traditional vs. Modular Cleanrooms

by Angstrom Tech | Aug 1, 2024 | Cleanroom Design

When designing a new cleanroom, the first and most critical decision is whether it will be traditional or modular construction. Each option has benefits and limitations, and it can take time to determine which is best for your application.

We can help. Here are the major differences between modular cleanrooms vs. traditional construction cleanrooms.

What Is a Traditional Cleanroom?

A traditional cleanroom is a highly controlled environment designed to minimize the presence of airborne particles, contaminants, and pollutants. These permanent installations are typically constructed with studs and drywall and integrated into the building’s architecture. They utilize advanced HVAC systems with HEPA or ULPA filters to maintain strict control over environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and pressure.

What Is a Modular Cleanroom?

A modular cleanroom is a flexible and scalable controlled environment that offers the same level of contamination control as traditional cleanrooms, plus the benefits of adaptability and cost-efficiency. Constructed using prefabricated panels and components, modular cleanrooms can be quickly assembled, disassembled, and modified to meet changing production needs or accommodate new processes.

Traditional Cleanroom Construction vs. Modular Cleanrooms

When deciding between traditional and modular cleanrooms, consider various factors such as flexibility, cost, installation, maintenance, and customization to determine which option best suits your specific needs.

Flexibility

For applications requiring flexibility, modular construction is your best bet. Traditional construction cleanrooms can’t be packed up and moved to another location. Nor is it as easy to expand as modular construction, where adjustments are minor, such as detaching a few panels and adding more to them. Instead, you have to renovate and knock out walls.

Depending on your cleanroom use and classification, you could build a super-flexible Softwall cleanroom with impermanent curtain-like walls. You could also opt for a Rigidwall or Hardwall cleanroom with thicker, more substantial wall panels. All of these options are still flexible, modular cleanrooms.

Cost

The cost of every cleanroom will vary depending on the size, application, special features, and construction type. Generally, modular cleanrooms are more expensive than traditionally built cleanrooms.

In addition to upfront costs, depreciation is something to consider when building a cleanroom. Modular cleanrooms qualify for accelerated depreciation, typically over seven years or less, whereas traditionally constructed rooms follow a 39-year depreciation schedule. This difference in depreciation timelines can impact financial planning and tax benefits for businesses.

Installation

While traditional cleanrooms can take months to build, modular construction is much simpler as the components are already manufactured. Instead of building walls from raw materials, with modular cleanrooms, the components simply need to be assembled to your specifications. Modular installation can take as little as a few days or weeks to complete, which is crucial to getting your operations up and running as soon as possible.

Additionally, while you’ll always need to hire pros for traditional construction, a modular cleanroom (typically smaller and less complicated cleanrooms) can often be assembled in-plant by your staff, with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The manufacturer may even offer installation services at an additional cost or as part of a modular cleanroom design package.

Maintenance

Traditional cleanroom maintenance can be quite demanding due to its permanent nature and the need for continuous compliance with stringent cleanliness standards. Regular and thorough cleaning, frequent filter replacements, and ongoing monitoring of environmental parameters are necessary to maintain the integrity of a traditional cleanroom.

On the other hand, modular cleanrooms typically require less intensive maintenance. Their modular nature allows for easier access to components that need cleaning or replacement. Additionally, if a section of the cleanroom needs to be decontaminated or upgraded, it can be done without affecting the entire facility, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Customization

Due to their permanent construction and integration into the building’s architecture, traditional cleanrooms offer fewer customization options. Changes or upgrades often require significant construction work, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

Modular cleanrooms offer a higher degree of customization with minimal disruption. They can be tailored to specific needs, whether adjusting the layout, adding new features, or upgrading to meet higher cleanroom classifications. The modular approach allows for quick modifications and scalability, enabling businesses to adapt their cleanroom environment to evolving requirements without significant overhauls.

Why Choose Angstrom Technology for Your Modular Cleanroom Needs?

If you’re designing a cleanroom, contact Angstrom Technology to discover how our state-of-the-art modular cleanroom designs can meet your unique requirements. Our expert team is dedicated to providing flexible, cost-effective, and customizable solutions that ensure your cleanroom operates at peak efficiency.

Whether you need a quick installation, easy maintenance, or the ability to scale and adapt your cleanroom environment, Angstrom Technology has the expertise and innovative solutions to make it happen. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve a cleanroom that not only meets but exceeds your expectations.

What Are the Key Elements of Custom Cleanroom Solutions? Materials, Layout, Features, and More

by Angstrom Tech | Jan 3, 2024 | Cleanroom Design

Across pharmaceuticals, electronics, biotechnology, and beyond, cleanrooms play a pivotal role in safeguarding processes and products from contaminants. Angstrom Technology stands at the forefront of this industry, focusing on tailored designs, cutting-edge innovation, and custom cleanroom solutions?

Are you interested in custom cleanroom solutions? We’ve got you covered. Read on to discover how our cleanrooms can be customized for your needs, including material choices, layout configurations, and more.

Understanding Customization in Cleanroom Solutions

Customization in cleanroom design is all about tailoring the space to fit the exact needs of an industry or product. Think of it as getting a custom-made suit—it just fits better!

Tailored solutions are critical because different industries have different standards and needs. Whether it’s pharmaceuticals needing ultra-clean environments or electronics requiring precise temperature control, customization ensures the cleanroom meets those specific demands.

4 Custom Cleanroom Solutions Options:

From materials shaping efficiency to layouts driving productivity, Angstrom Technology offers customized solutions for all your cleanroom needs.

1. Material Choices

When crafting custom cleanroom solutions, the materials used are like the building blocks, defining the room’s efficiency and functionality. Let’s look at the diverse array of materials used in cleanroom construction and their profound impact.

Cleanrooms are crafted from an assortment of materials, each with its unique characteristics, including the following:

Stainless steel is renowned for its durability and resistance to corrosion, making it ideal for stringent cleanliness standards.
Laminates are versatile and customizable, providing a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
Polymers offer flexibility and ease of maintenance, often favored for their resistance to chemicals and abrasion.

Cleanrooms are utilized in a wide array of applications and industries, each needing particular materials. For example, pharmaceuticals often opt for materials that ensure superior cleanliness to meet stringent regulatory requirements. Electronics require materials that facilitate controlled environments to safeguard sensitive equipment and processes.

Angstrom Technology boasts a comprehensive range of materials, each offering customizability, optimized functionality, and industry-grade quality. Our expertise lies not just in design, but in strategically selecting and utilizing these materials to create tailored cleanroom solutions that exceed industry expectations.

2. Layout Configurations

The layout of a cleanroom isn’t just about where things go—it’s the blueprint for efficiency. Let’s explore why the format is so crucial and how our team masterfully tailors configurations to elevate operational productivity:

The layout of a cleanroom can make or break efficiency. A thoughtfully designed layout can reduce unnecessary movements, streamline workflow, and enhance productivity. Strategic positioning of machinery and workstations can significantly improve production operations.

As we discuss cleanroom layouts, it’s important to note that cleanrooms aren’t one-size-fits-all—different arrangements suit different purposes. At Angstrom Technology, we can provide many different floor plan options to suit your needs.

Open floor plans foster flexibility and easy movement within the cleanroom, ideal for dynamic work environments.
Modular designs offer scalability and adaptability, allowing for easy expansion or modification.

At Angstrom Technology, the layout isn’t just a plan—it’s a strategic tool for maximizing efficiency and adaptability within custom cleanroom solutions, ensuring all our clients get precisely what they need to excel in their respective industries.

3. Specialized Features

Specialized features are the key to top-of-the-line cleanrooms, elevating their functionality to unmatched levels. Let’s uncover how these innovations take cleanliness and operational excellence to the next level.

HVAC systems maintain precise environmental conditions critical for certain processes, including temperature and humidity control.
Airflow management ensures controlled airflow to prevent contamination and maintain cleanliness levels.
HEPA and ULPA filters remove particles as small as 0.3 microns, ensuring ultra-clean air within the cleanroom.
Efficient contamination control minimizes airborne particles, crucial for sensitive industries like electronics and aerospace.
Real-time monitoring and continuous surveillance ensure adherence to cleanliness standards and prompt response to deviations.
Data analytics are used for predictive maintenance, optimizing processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

At Angstrom Technology, these specialized features aren’t just add-ons—they’re the backbone of our custom cleanroom solutions. By integrating cutting-edge HVAC systems, advanced filtration technology, state-of-the-art monitoring tools, and more, we ensure every cleanroom we design exceeds expectations and sets new benchmarks for operational excellence.

4. Compliance and Regulatory Standards

Compliance isn’t an option in cleanroom design – it’s mandatory and of the utmost importance. At Angstrom Technology, our custom cleanrooms not only meet but surpass industry regulations and standards, including the following:

ISO Certifications, The International Standards Organization’s classification system, became the official system in 2001. ISO 14644-1 categorizes cleanrooms into Classes 1-9.
Federal 209E Standards were replaced by ISO Classes in 2001. The Federal Standards used to categorize cleanrooms into Classes 1-100,000.
Some cleanroom applications must comply with additional standards, such as cGMP, that are uniquely tailored to the threats facing their products and processes.

When we build custom solutions, we collaborate closely with our clients to understand their regulatory requirements and ensure seamless compliance. We’re constantly updating designs and practices to stay ahead of regulatory changes and advancements so we can always instill confidence in our clients.

At Angstrom Technology, cleanroom designs aren’t just about meeting regulations; they’re about setting the bar higher, providing clients with cleanroom solutions that are not only compliant but also innovative, reliable, and future-ready.

Elevate Your Industry Standards with Angstrom Technology

At Angstrom Technology, we don’t just design cleanrooms; we engineer solutions tailored to exceed your expectations. Our commitment to customization goes beyond just fitting the environment—it’s about enhancing productivity, ensuring reliability, and meeting the unique demands of your industry.

Are you ready to elevate your standards? Reach out to Angstrom Technology today and experience the difference tailored cleanroom solutions can make for your industry needs.

Cleanroom Terminology: What Is an Airlock?

by Angstrom Tech | Nov 22, 2023 | Cleanroom Design

When entering the world of cleanroom design, many people are overwhelmed by the new vocabulary, which can be quite complicated. Suddenly, you have to understand classifications and all sorts of design features and figure out which are right for your application.

We’re here to break down one of the most common terms you’ll hear in cleanroom design – airlocks. So, what is an airlock, and how does an airlock work? Let’s get jump in.

What Is an Airlock?

An airlock is a system of two doors that are electronically interlocked so that both cannot be opened at the same time. This prevents contamination and prevents particles from outside the cleanroom from entering the cleanroom when personnel enter or exit the cleanroom.

In addition to its role in contamination control, airlocks can serve as security features, controlling and monitoring access to the cleanroom. An airlock system will also help maintain the controlled temperature of a cleanroom space. They are vital components in various industries, adapting to specific cleanroom requirements while offering emergency features to ensure personnel safety.

How Does an Airlock Work?

An airlock creates a controlled, enclosed space with two interlocked doors. They make a controlled transitional space between an external environment and a cleanroom, with the primary goal of preventing contamination, maintaining cleanliness, and preserving the specified environmental conditions within the cleanroom.

Here’s how airlocks typically operate:

Two-Door System: An airlock consists of two doors, one leading to the outside environment and the other to the cleanroom. These doors are electronically interlocked, ensuring that both doors cannot be opened simultaneously.

Pressure Differential: The cleanroom typically operates at a higher pressure than the surrounding area. When personnel need to enter or exit the cleanroom, they first enter the airlock. The outer door is closed behind them, sealing off the outside environment.

Controlled Environment: Once inside the airlock, the system may initiate a series of processes to maintain the controlled environment. This can include adjusting temperature, humidity, and pressure levels to match the cleanroom’s specifications.

Personnel Procedures: Personnel inside the airlock may need to follow specific procedures, such as donning cleanroom attire, which includes specialized garments, headgear, and shoe covers.

Interlocking Doors: After the necessary preparations and checks are completed inside the airlock, the inner door can be opened. This allows personnel to enter the cleanroom while ensuring that the outer door remains closed, maintaining the pressure and cleanliness of the cleanroom.

Security Features: Some airlocks include security features like access control systems to authenticate and authorize individuals.

What Kinds of Airlocks Are There?

There are two types of airlocks: secure and non-secure airlocks. In a secure airlock system, all doors remain locked until a request to enter is granted. This generally occurs through a “request to enter device,” like a button or keypad. A non-secure airlock means that the doors remain unlocked until the first door is opened; then, the other doors lock.

You also have the option of making your airlocks supervised or unsupervised. For high-security areas, you may have a supervised airlock, where personnel must press a “request to access” button. The request must be approved via a CCTV or viewing panel verification system.

An unsupervised cleanroom could control access through a biometric reader or keypad to gain access. Such systems are useful where only authorized personnel may enter the cleanroom environment.

Enhancing Cleanroom and Airlock Security

Depending on the classification and application of your cleanroom, you might want additional security features in place on your airlock. These considerations aim to enhance security and monitoring within the airlock system to minimize the risk of contamination and maintain the pristine conditions of the cleanroom.

Breach Alarms: Depending on the sensitivity and cleanliness requirements of the cleanroom, it may be essential to implement breach alarms within the airlock system. These alarms serve as a critical safeguard, alerting personnel when the airlock has been breached. Breach alarms are triggered when unauthorized access or contamination may have occurred.

Door Open Duration Alarms: Cleanrooms often require swift and controlled access, and extended open-door times can compromise the cleanliness and environmental conditions. Door open duration alarms provide a mechanism to ensure that doors are not left open for too long, thereby preventing prolonged exposure of the cleanroom to the outside environment.

Door Status Indicators: Door status indicators are visual or electronic displays that provide real-time information about the current state of the airlock doors. These indicators offer a quick and easy way for personnel to confirm whether the outer door is securely closed before opening the inner door.

Cleanrooms to Fit All Your Needs From Angstrom Technology

If your cleanroom requires an airlock, Angstrom Technology is well-equipped to design a custom cleanroom that perfectly aligns with your specific needs. Our team of seasoned design engineers possesses the knowledge and expertise required to create a cleanroom solution tailored to your industry’s unique cleanliness standards and environmental demands.

Contact Angstrom Technology today, and let’s embark on the journey towards a tailored cleanroom solution that precisely fits your requirements, enhancing your controlled environment for optimal operations.