Maintaining Cleanroom Equipment

In this issue, we will look at the cleanroom standards of the Lockheed Martin facility that develops spacecraft systems for NASA, the Department of Defense, and commercial businesses. It is imperative that this equipment is properly maintained and inspected, since replacement parts aren’t easy to get. The spacecrafts themselves must be meticulously cared for while in the cleanroom, because equipment repair and maintenance isn’t possible once they are launched into orbit. 

We will also discuss applications laboratories, and how critical product cleaning requires planning and evaluation. A maintenance plan is necessary in order to safeguard equipment against premature failure. Equipment costs must be considered, and the equipment’s positioning within the facility must also be mapped out so that everything operates efficiently and staff members have enough space to work comfortably.

Also included are some guidelines on how to choose the correct cleanroom equipment for your facility, and tips on how you can create a long-term plan for this equipment so that it lasts as long as necessary. There needs to be a balance between choosing equipment that will last for the long haul, and drafting maintenance plans that effectively care for the equipment while at the same time being flexible enough to accommodate updates in standards.

A discussion on temperature monitoring is also included in this issue. Maintaining proper temperature is important for quality control. Many types of cleanroom equipment cannot function properly if the temperature does not fall within a certain range; therefore, it is essential that the correct temperature be maintained throughout the process. Of course, the temperature monitoring equipment must also be properly maintained in order to ensure that its readings are accurate. Faulty equipment could potentially lead to a lapse in monitoring, which can waste time and ruin product.

We will also discuss IEST standards, which include guidance on how to properly select and maintain cleanroom filters and clean air devices. Additionally, testing methods are examined, along with calibration procedures and guidelines. As already mentioned, individual cleanroom facilities will have different needs and specifications that need to be addressed, but standards such as those from IEST need to be considered as well when drafting your plans.

In addition to developing plans for the maintenance of the equipment, it is also vital that facility personnel be properly trained in cleanroom protocol and disciplines. Staff members need to follow a strict, routine cleaning and maintenance process, and understand that different areas of the cleanroom require different methods to keep them functional. Different facilities may require different methods, but the personnel members need to know what’s required of them from their particular work site. User error can lead to costly, and sometimes dangerous, outcomes—nip this in the bud by requiring a specific maintenance routine right from the beginning.