Medical Cleanroom Design Tips: Cleanroom Ceilings and Fan Filter Units

by Angstrom-Tech-Admin | May 19, 2021 | Cleanroom Design

Cleanroom walls, floors, doors, and other components get a lot of attention, but one of the most crucial elements of cleanroom construction is the ceiling. Cleanroom ceilings support many of the essential functions of the space, from housing fan filter units to supporting lighting and other electrical components, fire suppression systems, and more.

This is one area of medical cleanroom design that should not be overlooked. Let’s explore what your cleanroom ceiling can do — particularly when it comes to filtration and fan filter units.

Medical Cleanroom Design: Cleanroom Ceilings

Cleanroom ceilings can take many forms, depending on the requirements of each application, but the most common construction is a grid ceiling.

The grid ceiling of a medical cleanroom must support the frame and ceiling panels, lighting, and heavy fan filter units. The grid frame and all of its contents is supported by sturdy beams attached to your building structure.

With the ceiling panels installed, there should still be enough space between the ceiling and the roof for electrical and control boxes, air inlets, and fan filter unit housings. Walkable cleanroom ceilings must have enough space for a technician to maneuver above the room safely, to perform maintenance without disturbing the controlled environment inside.

Considerations for Cleanroom Ceiling Design

Cleanroom ceilings any any components, such as filters, filter housing, frames, and other penetrations for utilities, sprinklers, or lighting, must be completely sealed to prevent any contaminants from finding their way into the cleanroom. When designing the cleanroom ceiling, no wires, pipes or other obstructions should block or impair the airflow pattern from the fan filter units.

Medical Cleanroom Ceilings and Fan Filter Units

Fan filter units are the most important part of a cleanroom ceiling. They direct clean, filtered air into your cleanroom and help maintain your classification standard. They also take up the most space, so much of cleanroom design is fitting the rest of the cleanroom — lighting, electrical, and more — around these essential components.

What Are Fan Filter Units?

Fan filter units protect and facilitate the filtering power of the cleanroom. Combined with proper cleaning, and an expertly designed airflow pattern, fan filter units are responsible for achieving and maintaining your cleanroom classification requirements for allowed particles.

Fan filter units house your hardworking HEPA filters and upstream pre filters in an epoxy, acrylic or polystyrene-coated aluminum frame. They’re attached to the ceiling grid and fixed flush with ceiling panels to direct airflow into the room without creating turbulence.

Types of Fan Filter Units

There are different types of fan filter units, depending on the size, airflow rate, and filter media that works best for your application’s needs. A few of the common options for medical cleanrooms include:

Roomside Replaceable fan filter units, which feature housing that is accessible from within the cleanroom. Pharmaceutical cleanrooms require frequent testing and replacement of filters, so room-side-replacement is an advantage. These units have a gel-seal gasket that creates a seamless connection between the filter and the housing.
Non-roomside replaceable fan filter units, or NCR fan filter units, which are accessed from overhead the cleanroom. The advantage of NCR units is that they only require filter replacement every 3-5 years, except in certain cases where the cleanroom application generates excessive particulate matter.
Reverse airflow fan filter units, which are more common in medical cleanrooms working with hazardous substances, toxic fumes or contagious pathogens. A reverse airflow fan filter can be used to establish negative pressure and isolate contaminants inside the cleanroom.

All cleanrooms require air filtration using HEPA filters. Generally, the more stringent your cleanroom classification, the more fan filter units you’ll need mounted on your cleanroom ceiling.

As you install more fan filter units, you’ll need to get creative with how other systems are installed on your ceiling. Fortunately, there are creative workarounds, like grid lighting, that leave plenty of room for your cleanroom filtration system.

How Many Fan Filter Units Does My Cleanroom Need?

The number of fan filter units your cleanroom requires depends primarily on your classification, but also your cleanroom layout and the volume of your space.

Your cleanroom classification will dictate the minimum air change rate and particle count requirements for your application. Cleanrooms with less stringent requirements may only require 5-15% ceiling coverage to be dedicated to filtration, while those with fewer particles allowed may require 60-100%.

You can determine the number of fan filters required by comparing the capacity of each filter fan unit with the total volume of your space.

Need some help building the perfect high-performance ceiling to reach your cleanroom classification? Angstrom Technology would love to help your medical cleanroom achieve optimal airflow, filtration, and pressurization for your application. Give us a call to get started!

Cleanroom Design Tips: Cleanroom Storage Solutions for Plastics Manufacturing

by Angstrom-Tech-Admin | Mar 24, 2021 | Cleanroom Design

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.

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Everything You Need to Know About Designing Your Cleanroom Layout

by Angstrom-Tech-Admin | Mar 10, 2021 | Cleanroom Design

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!

What to Know About Plastics Industry Cleanroom Classifications

by Angstrom-Tech-Admin | Jan 6, 2021 | Cleanroom Design

Cleanroom classifications for the plastics industry regulate the cleanroom’s cleanliness and operating procedures. When designing a cleanroom for the plastics industry, the cleanroom classification plays a large role in determining which elements are included, how they are laid out, and how they make the cleanroom cleaner. Let’s take a look at the plastics industry cleanroom classifications and how the standards affect plastics industry cleanroom design.

Cleanroom Classifications for Plastics Industry Cleanrooms

Plastics industry cleanrooms are regulated by the classification standards set out by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

ISO Cleanroom Classifications

The International Standards Organization developed the set of standards by which all cleanroom industries and applications must follow. ISO 14644-1 outlines the requirements for all cleanroom environments, including plastics industry cleanrooms. ISO 14644-1 standards are separated into Classes 1-9, where Class 9 is room air and Class 1 is the cleanest possible environment.

Most plastics manufacturing cleanrooms fall under the requirements of ISO Classes 7 or 8. Some plastics manufacturing applications that are especially sensitive to contamination or involve more complex assembly may require a more stringent cleanroom classification, such as ISO Class 5 or 6. As the cleanroom environments for each class get more clean, they must meet increasingly stringent requirements for particle count, air change rates, and ceiling coverage.

Particle Count

Particle count refers to the number of particles of a certain size per cubic meter. Stricter ISO classes allow fewer particles, and also restrict the size of those particles. For most plastics industry cleanrooms complying with ISO Class 7 or 8, this would mean they cannot exceed a count of 352,000 to 3,520,000 particles that are .05μ or greater in size.

Air Change Rate

The air change rate is how quickly air is removed, filtered, and replaced within the cleanroom. In a Class 7 plastics industry cleanroom, for example, the required minimum number of air changes per hour is between 60-90. For a Class 5 cleanroom, this goes up to 400+ air changes, at which point it is better expressed as an air velocity of 40-80 ft/min.

Ceiling Coverage

Ceiling coverage refers to the percentage of the cleanroom ceiling dedicated HEPA filter/fan units, or FFUs. Most cleanrooms in Classes 7 and 8 require about 15% of ceiling coverage for filtration, which helps them reach stringent particle count and air change rate requirements.

Cleanroom Design for Plastics Industry Cleanrooms

Cleanroom classifications determine if the cleanroom is establishing control over the cleanroom environment. Cleanroom design is what enables the cleanroom to reach stringent standards.

Every component within a properly designed cleanroom should work together to achieve more control over environmental factors, support equipment and personnel, and facilitate processes within the cleanroom. For plastics industry cleanrooms, this boils down to three main factors: the type of cleanroom, the cleanroom filtration system, and the cleanroom HVAC.

Plastics Industry Cleanroom Type

To meet the cleanroom classification requirements of a plastics industry cleanroom, three types can be used. These cleanrooms can be designed to be free-standing or integrate with an existing structure, including walls, windows, HVAC and ventilation equipment.

HardWall cleanrooms allow the highest level of control over environmental factors and can conform to even the most stringent cleanroom classifications of ISO Class 1.
RigidWall cleanrooms are also an option for most plastics industry cleanrooms requiring a classification of ISO Class 5-8, and feature a minimalist, clear panel design.
SoftWall cleanrooms can fit in almost any space and are fully customizable.They can accommodate cleanroom classification standards ISO Class 4-8.

The best fit for each application will depend on its specific classification requirements and industry standards, but HardWall cleanrooms, RigidWall cleanrooms, and SoftWall cleanrooms, are all durable and high-quality, and capable of supporting plastics industry projects.

Plastics Industry Cleanroom Filtration

Cleanroom filtration is usually built into the ceiling using FFUs, which change the air within the cleanroom at a regular rate, replacing it with clean, filtered air. The filtration system of a plastics industry cleanroom will work in tandem with the cleanroom HVAC to provide temperature and humidity controlled air, delivered in a powerful, thorough, and consistent airflow pattern.

Plastics Industry Cleanroom HVAC

The plastic industry cleanroom HVAC regulates temperature and humidity levels within the cleanroom environment, to not only to keep your employees comfortable, but also to keep machines functioning at optimal levels and protect sensitive products and processes within the cleanroom. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can be detrimental to productivity, so a reliable HVAC system is a must in any cleanroom design.

Other features, such as cleanroom lighting, cleanroom furniture, and industry-specific equipment, must also be considered in the cleanroom design in order to meet cleanroom classification requirements and fit within a cohesive workspace.

Plastics industry cleanrooms should be designed to reflect the unique and evolving operations they support. The cleanroom design should comply with classification standards and incorporate all the extra features each project needs to keep productivity and efficiency up, while minimizing or eliminating safety and contamination risks.

Considering a cleanroom but not sure where to start? Let Angstrom Technology help! Our professional team can design, build, and install the best cleanroom for your application and classification requirements. Whether you’re starting from scratch or adapting an existing cleanroom, we can help you make it a success.

Automotive Cleanroom Design Tips: Cleanroom Doors and Pass-Throughs

by Angstrom-Tech-Admin | Dec 23, 2020 | Cleanroom Design, Helpful Tips

Your cleanroom doors are the most vulnerable part of the cleanroom. As the most likely place for particles and contamination to enter your controlled cleanroom environment, it’s important to choose cleanroom doors that are secure, reliable, and contaminant-free. There are many factors to consider when choosing cleanroom doors for your facility. The first consideration you’ll need to make is the type of cleanroom doors that will best serve your automotive cleanroom’s needs.

Types of Cleanroom Doors

Cleanroom doors typically come in two main varieties: swinging, sliding, and high-speed roll-up doors. Let’s take a look at the difference between them and the advantages they can offer your automotive cleanroom application.

Swinging Cleanroom Doors

Swinging cleanroom doors are attached to hinges on one side of the cleanroom door frame. They swing out of the cleanroom, or in, or both. These doors are designed to close flush with the rest of the wall panel with an airtight seal. They can be installed at different heights and widths as your application demands.

A disadvantage of swinging cleanroom doors is they take up space in your cleanroom, as there needs to be room for the door to swing. Also, the movement of the door can sometimes create turbulent air within the cleanroom. In some applications this could disrupt the airflow pattern and spell trouble for contamination-sensitive processes.

Sliding Cleanroom Doors

Sliding doors are attached on tracks at the top and bottom of the threshold. The tracks can be built seamlessly into the floor and ceiling panels so no particles can get inside. A major advantage of sliding cleanroom doors is that they don’t take up as much space as swinging doors. They slide into wall panels or fit along the wall with a slim profile, saving valuable floor space for your operations.

Sliding doors can also be programmed to open and close automatically, which improves efficiency in high traffic areas. The automatic option saves your employees from having to touch handles to operate the door, which works well in applications where employees need to carry materials or move between rooms hands-free. Be aware that sliding cleanroom doors usually require electronic access to open and close. If there’s a power failure, you’ll need to have a back up system in place to operate the door.

High-Speed Roll-Up Doors

High-speed roll-up doors are an increasingly popular option for cleanrooms in many industries. When in operation, the fabric “curtain” rolls up and is conveniently stored in a space-efficient head assembly at the ceiling, saving valuable wall space compared to other types of cleanroom doors. These doors are able to maintain a high-quality seal so as to retain clean air within the cleanroom and keep out contaminating particles. They can be made using non-porous, non-particle-shedding, and antimicrobial materials to withstand your cleanroom cleaning protocol and protect the controlled environment.

High-speed roll-up cleanroom doors can be built to a custom height and width to accommodate non-standard equipment and products. The new generation of roll-up doors can be operated at speeds as high as 100 in/s, so you can open and close the door with minimum disruption to cleanroom activities.

Cleanroom Pass-Throughs

Cleanroom pass-throughs are cabinets installed in the walls of your automotive cleanroom for the transfer of objects in and out of the cleanroom environment. Pass-throughs have swinging doors attached at both ends where items can be placed or removed.

When properly installed and sealed, cleanroom pass-throughs can improve productivity and safety, and reduce the need for traffic to enter and exit through cleanroom doors which preserves the cleanroom environment. This also lowers your operating costs, as you’re not wasting the energy to filter and regulate the air lost when opening and closing a door, versus the smaller volume of a cleanroom pass-through.

Choosing Cleanroom Doors Pass-Throughs

When designing your automotive cleanroom, it’s important to choose the right cleanroom doors and pass-throughs that will offer the best performance for your application.

Your automotive cleanroom doors and pass-throughs…

Must be airtight and flush with the walls. An airtight seal prevents particles from settling in the hinges, around the edges or any part of the door or pass-through itself. This helps to minimize the transference of unfiltered air and reduce the risk of contamination in your automotive cleanroom.
Must be easily integrated with your modular wall panels. Should also be able to accommodate the people, equipment, and products moving in and out of the cleanroom, but not too large that you waste extra energy by releasing filtered and regulated air out of the cleanroom unnecessarily.
Must be sturdy and impact-resistant. The ideal cleanroom doors will be strong enough to withstand consistent use, yet light enough to be easily operated. They should not be damaged easily if a piece of equipment or employee bumps into them.
Must be able to withstand cleaning. Your cleanroom doors should be made of a material that won’t corrode or shed particles into your controlled environment when cleaned.
Must be antistatic. Cleanroom doors should not allow the buildup of static electricity which could cause damage to your processes or people, or attract contaminating particles.
Must be able to lock. Having cleanroom doors with a secure locking mechanism is necessary to maintain a closed environment to protect interior operations, as well as to secure the room when it’s not in use. The locking mechanism must be able to function if electricity is interrupted — you don’t want to risk not being able to close the room, or worse, trapping personnel inside if there’s an unexpected outage.

At Angstrom Technology, we design our cleanroom doors to protect you and your products, while allowing easy passage in and out of the cleanroom. To learn more about the best door options for your cleanroom, reach out to us.

How to Upgrade your Cleanroom

by Evenbound - Hunter | Aug 6, 2020 | Cleanroom Design, Cleanrooms

As Greek philosopher Heroclitus said, “There is nothing permanent except change.” While the conditions in your cleanroom are designed to stay the same, your work rarely does. If your project needs are evolving, you might find yourself needing to meet new cleanroom classification requirements. Even a seemingly small jump to a more stringent ISO Class can be a big change for your facility. How do you make the leap? Let’s work through what upgrading your cleanroom will look like, and how to start the process.

Upgrading Your Cleanroom Classification?

Start Here.

If you have to move to a more stringent qualification, the first thing you have to do is take a hard look at your cleanroom classification. Start with your classification as it stands and look at the specific areas you need to adjust to achieve the next level of cleanliness. To do that, we have to break down what’s in a classification. While there’s much more involved than just these three elements, the main differences between classifications are defined by:

Allowed particles (by number and size)
Air changes per hour (or airflow velocity)
Percentage of ceiling coverage of FFUs (filter fan units)

When upgrading your cleanroom, you’ll need to make changes to address these three areas in order to make your cleanroom more clean. In addition to ISO standards, your cleanroom upgrade will also reflect necessary changes specific to your new project or scope of work. Consider your new application or purpose and what upgrades will ensure success in your future endeavors. This could include more control over temperature and humidity, more space for equipment, cabinetry and other storage, cleanroom furniture, lighting, ESD-safe materials, or other specialized features.

Redesigning Your Cleanroom

Whether you’re upgrading your cleanroom to meet a new classification, to match a new purpose, or both, there are several factors you should consider when redesigning your space. Your cleanroom upgrade encompasses the layout and structure of your space, your cleanroom’s systems, and how to maintain your new classification once reached.

Reconfiguring Your Cleanroom Layout

When redesigning your cleanroom layout, you can easily rearrange modular panels to create the new space and shape that works for your new project. Add more panels for a larger cleanroom, or remove and store extras for a more controlled, condensed space. Your upgraded cleanroom may require more space for additional personnel, large equipment, or room to move carts and transport products, so be sure to factor these potential needs into your cleanroom redesign.

If you’re upgrading your cleanroom to a more stringent classification, or your project parameters are changing significantly, you may need to choose a different structure altogether. Consider these three types of cleanrooms for your redesigned facility:

HardWall Cleanrooms: Offering increased security and the highest possible control, HardWall cleanrooms are able to meet the strictest classification standards effortlessly.
SoftWall Cleanrooms: The most flexible cleanroom type, SoftWalls are easy to expand, reconfigure and fit in small spaces. They’re an affordable modular option with room to grow.
RigidWall Cleanrooms: With less flexibility than HardWalls but more stability than SoftWalls, RigidWall cleanrooms are a minimalist middle ground made of solid clear panels — great for showing off your operations to investors.

Upgrading Cleanroom HVAC System

Upgrading your cleanroom will likely also require upgrading the systems that support it. You may be able to update your existing cleanroom HVAC system or add a dedicated system if your new classification requires more control over temperature and humidity. A powerful and reliable HVAC system does more than just keep your employees comfortable. It also helps to maintain a stable atmosphere for any sensitive hardware or substances you work with, and prevents machinery from overheating.

Humidity control can help avoid potential problems that come with too much moisture such as condensation and contamination, which could impact productivity by extending drying time or causing products or processes to fail. A cleanroom HVAC system that is in tune with your project and facility’s needs will keep your cleanroom clean and consistent.

Meeting New Cleanroom Filtration Requirements

Your cleanroom classification will specify your allowed particle count, as well as the minimum air changes needed to clean the air effectively. When upgrading your cleanroom, you will likely need to increase your air change rate and capture more and smaller particles. You can achieve this by adding more fan filter units to increase your percentage of ceiling coverage. This is also a good time to check and/or replace HEPA filters to make sure they are effectively removing particles from the air.

Additionally, rearranging your layout or furniture might require the implementation of a new airflow pattern. Furniture or equipment can block filters and interrupt the flow of air, creating pockets of turbulent air or spaces where contaminants could be trapped. To find the best airflow pattern that works with your upgraded cleanroom, work with a cleanroom design expert. They can use computational fluid dynamics to model your cleanroom airflow pattern and make decisions about layout that will improve air change efficiency and support the healthy life of your HEPA filters.

Proper airflow with effective filtration will ensure you are removing particles consistently and reaching appropriate levels for your new classification. Once it reaches that level of clean, all you have to do is keep it there.

Maintaining Your Cleanroom Classification

Once you’ve upgraded your cleanroom to its new classification, congratulations! Now you’re done, right? Unfortunately, reaching new requirements is only half of the battle. Most of the work lies in supporting your upgraded cleanroom with regular maintenance and cleaning. Follow through with regular maintenance tasks like cleaning procedures, replacing pre-filters, and servicing equipment to make sure your cleanroom stays in top condition.

Your cleanroom should be checked regularly to make sure it complies with your classification standard. If your cleanroom falls in the ISO Class 5 or lower category, it will need to be monitored with particle count tests biannually, per ISO 14644-2. Cleanrooms with less stringent standards are checked once each year.

Keep up with scheduled maintenance and monitoring tasks to make sure your cleanroom meets its new standards completely and consistently.

If you need to upgrade your cleanroom to a higher classification, we can help. We’ll take a look at what you’ve got, and determine the best way to get you where you need to be. Once you’ve reached your goal, we can add you to our regular cleaning and maintenance schedule, so you don’t have to worry about consistently meeting your classification standards. Reach out to Angstrom Technology for all of your cleanroom needs today!