01 November 2017

Costs and Types of Cleanrooms

For those in laboratory design, we are aware that cleanrooms can be among the most complicated spaces to design. Cleanrooms offer an area where the particulate count from the atmosphere is regulated. A huge array of clients need clean spaces to run their business, whether it's based on their own SOPs (standard operating procedures) or required by regulatory agencies. Cleanrooms provide an indoor environment unique to any other indoor environment--and with it, pose some special design challenges.

This standard allows for the chambers to be categorized by restricting particulate count which range from ISO 8 (Class 100,000) down to ISO 3 (Class 1). This classification governs the particulates permitted to infiltrate the atmosphere.

What are some different the types of cleanrooms?

Stick: Custom fabricated and integrated place from the sub-contractor, these labs may take on any shape, and be sensitive and flexible to any present conditions.
Modular: Panels are then assembled together in the field by trained professionals typically from the manufacturer. There are third party companies like Clean Air Solutions who provide this support also.
Hybrid: These are constructed as a combination of the two aforementioned procedures.

Based on cleanroom objectives, space design and design can vary. However, most cleanrooms have comparable different design features for successful performance, including:

Among the first spaces encountered when entering a cleanroom is the gowning room. This distance (typically of higher classification) enables an employee to change to the right attire for the clean procedure inside.

Air locks are very similar to ante rooms and are intended for individuals or equipment.
Pass-through rooms are used for samples moving from one area to another of different classifications. These can be larger for wheeled equipment also.
Windows are designed in cleanrooms for a couple reasons, a frequent reason being safety. It's important to make sure that the people working within a cleanroom are secure. Windows are comprehensive to be flush glazed to prevent any horizontal surfaces that may create an excess cleaning burden.

Cleanrooms for the pharmaceutical sector have a higher cost per square foot, largely because of the use of 316 Stainless Steel for corrosion resistance among other factors. Both methods have a tendency to corrode some metals, making stainless steel a necessity.

Cleanrooms require specialized materials and systems that push up the construction cost, including:

Cleanroom flooring is often defined as poured in place epoxy or urethane or sheet vinyl with heat-welded seams. These kinds of flooring allow for a constant floor program using an integral cove base. A less costly solution is epoxy paint.
CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) is a sort of plastic panel utilized inside cleanrooms on the walls and ceiling which enables corrosion and chemical resistance.
Cleanroom ceilings are generally constructed of gypsum wall board or a cleanroom-rated ceiling grid and tile system. These tiles are occasionally made from vinyl-faced gypsum wall board, making them thicker than normal ceiling tiles and need hold-down clips to avoid the exfiltration of air.
Cleanroom lighting typically includes lensed and sealed fittings. These specialized fixtures are made for wash-down processes and to protect against the exfiltration of air.
Fan Powered HEPA Filters (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filter are high performance filters utilized to decrease the particulate count in the atmosphere. These filters are subject to technical cleaning and changing, sometimes known as "bag-in, bag-out." This may be done within the cleanroom, remotely above or in the air handling unit.
Cleanroom furniture is typically made from stainless steel and/or higher grade plastics.

Taken together, all these features contributes to the rising expense of designing and building a cleanroom. Working with a skilled cleanroom laboratory designer can help a company determine its design priorities and handle the costs of constructing a cleanroom accordingly.