Space is often at a premium in cleanrooms. As a result, the purchasing and positioning of cleanroom furniture often needs to be planned out meticulously to protect the working environment and ensure accurate project outcomes. The last thing you want is for your furniture to interrupt workflows or risk the introduction of contaminants into your environment. Another important consideration is comfort, especially when you consider the long periods that professionals can spend confined in a cleanroom environment.
In this article we'll take a look at the various types of cleanroom furniture available and the essential features you need to look for when making a buying decision.
Types of Cleanroom Furniture and Choosing the Right Items
Choosing the right furniture for your cleanroom ensures your environment is kept sterile at all times while also providing practical surfaces and comfortable seating for lab technicians.
Cleanroom Chairs
Cleanroom chairs must meet a range of criteria before they can be introduced into a cleanroom. Only chairs that have been tested and proven to prevent electrostatic charges and cause minimal particle emission should be considered in a clean and sterile environment or when static charging needs to be avoided.
Cleanroom Tables
When choosing cleanroom tables, stainless steel furniture is an obvious choice. Easy to keep clean and electrically conductive, stainless steel cleanroom tables are specifically designed for a number of applications and sterile environments. Plastic, melamine chipboard and chrome-plated tables are also available and should be chosen based on the materials they will come into contact with.
Gowning Benches & Racks
Gowning areas are another area that you will need to provide sterile and suitable furniture for. Gowning benches and racks are specifically suited to this purpose, giving a practical and comfortable space for technicians to change into and out of their gowns and protective equipment. Gowning racks and benches are typically made from stainless steel and may offer optional compartments for masks, caps and shoes.
General Cleanroom Furniture Considerations
Before choosing furniture for your laboratory space or cleanroom, you should take the time to review essential considerations with your co-workers. The following steps will help you to choose the right furniture for a clean environment.
Specifications
Any equipment or furniture that is introduced to a cleanroom should be made of non-shedding, nonporous material that is easy to clean. Check that all furniture suppliers are able to provide documentation in writing that clearly matches the ISO classification requirements of your cleanroom. For example, if your lab has an ISO 3 classification, you will need to choose furniture with the same classification or higher.
Hygiene
One of the most important considerations when selecting cleanroom furniture is how easy it is to keep clean and hygienic. Harsh disinfectants can cause damage to some materials, so it is wise to choose furniture made from aluminum or stainless steel or furniture with powder-coated finishes.
Resilience
The expected lifespan of a product is also very important. How long will the furniture last in a cleanroom environment? Will it degrade if exposed to corrosive materials? Could a humid environment cause rust over time? Knowing the lifespan of your equipment will help you make sensible buying decisions and plan for replacements in the future.
Final Thoughts
Investing in the right cleanroom furniture will ensure your clean environments stay that way and help reduce the risk of contaminants jeopardizing your projects.
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