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The ABCs of Cleanrooms: Navigating the Types of Cleanrooms

By Raymond Doyle

Did you know that a single particle (as small as 0.5 microns) can jeopardize the integrity of a cleanroom? Cleanrooms ensure precision and reliability in various processes in the science and technology industry. There are many different types of cleanrooms and ways to use them, and our team is hosting a webinar in March to dive deeper into these details. Before the webinar, we wanted to share a sneak peek of the content we’ll cover, providing an overview of the different types of cleanrooms across different industries.

THE TYPES OF CLEANROOMS

There are many ways to build and assemble a cleanroom, depending on what a client needs to use it for. We’ll cover the advantages and the disadvantages of four main types, including:

• Stick-built cleanrooms use studs and dry walls and are finished with epoxy paint or another type of coating that is easy to sanitize. This tends to be the cheapest (and sometimes the fastest) method of building a cleanroom.
• Modular cleanrooms use standard panels and ceiling systems manufactured by modular manufacturers. Some have walkable ceilings, and some have better or easier-to-modify wall chases, making these types of cleanrooms easy to modify and maintain.
• Container cleanrooms are built specifically to the requirements of the end user. They are built and tested in a factory and shipped in containerized systems. When they arrive at the site, they are reassembled for final testing and connected to the utilities.
• Temporary cleanrooms use a tent system, which includes HEPA filters, lights in the ceiling, and plastic curtains in the wall. They’re best suited for spaces inside warehouses or larger environments.

THE PURPOSE OF CLEANROOMS

Cleanrooms have many purposes, depending on where and how they are being used. Through project case studies, we’ll discuss what you need to know about cleanrooms in each of these industries:

• Pharmaceutical Cleanrooms: Vital in drug manufacturing, these cleanrooms adhere to stringent regulations to maintain product purity. This means designing pharmaceutical cleanrooms that meet industry standards and facilitate seamless production processes is crucial.
• Microelectronics Cleanrooms: Precision is very important in the microelectronics industry. Cleanroom solutions for this sector ensure a controlled environment, minimizing the risk of contamination during the delicate fabrication of electronic components.
• Medical Device Manufacturing Cleanrooms: Cleanrooms play a crucial role in the production of medical devices, where even the tiniest particle can compromise product safety.
• Biotechnology Research: In biotech labs, where groundbreaking discoveries are made, cleanrooms provide the sanitized environment that is required for experiments and research.

We’ll elaborate on the information above and discuss more, providing a comprehensive guide to mastering cleanroom design, construction, and operation strategies. We will share insights, best practices, and the latest advancements in cleanroom technology based on what we’ve learned in our 25 years of designing cleanrooms. Register now to join the webinar in March! We hope to see you there.