Types of Cleanrooms

Types of Cleanrooms

Cleanrooms are often needed for emergency work and short run production jobs. For emergency work, there are modular, temporary cleanroom structures that can be constructed in a short period of time and disassembled when the job is over. These types of portable cleanrooms can be assembled outdoors and in existing facilities, such as warehouses. Many portable and temporary cleanrooms are constructed as “softwall” cleanrooms, meaning their walls are constructed from transparent polymers. Typically, softwall and other types of modular cleanrooms can be fitted with portable or small-scale HEPA filters, anti-static devices and garment change facilities just like permanent cleanrooms, and can maintain similar levels of cleanroom sterility.

Cleanroom Specifications

Cleanrooms are graded according to cleanliness standards maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These quantified grades represent the number of particles 0.1 micrometers or larger permitted per cubic meter of air. The number is further standardized by having the ISO grade correspond to a logarithm for determining particle count. For example, ISO 3 cleanrooms feature a maximum of 103 particles per meter cubed, or 1000 particles.

The United States Department of Commerce officially maintained a cleanroom standard, US FED STD 209E, until 2001. Despite its official abandonment, this standard is still commonly used by North American manufacturers.

Depending on the official grade of the cleanroom and the types of materials manufactured or used in the facility, there are a wide variety of accessories available for cleanroom use and labor. For instance, some computer parts can easily be damaged by static build up, so anti-static garments, floor mats and bracelet/anklet devices exist for static prevention. Additionally, cleaning devices that target specific items, like worker shoes, can be installed in a facility. Most types of standard pieces of laboratory equipment are available in “clean” versions, which are equipment pieces that have been modified or enhanced specifically for a cleanroom environment.