As the global appetite for sending and receiving voice, data and video continues to increase, networks will need to become more powerful and more efficient to keep pace.
In turn, optical networks require optical switch systems that directly route multi-wavelength photonic signals between thousands of different destinations, or ports. Recent estimation of the worldwide market for optical switch systems is forecasted to grow from $234 million in 2000 to $7.4 billion by 2004.
The healthy projections have yielded many new facilities, and a Southern California based company recently completed a fab for the production of micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) optical switches, the basis for communication over a telecommunications network.
Keeping it clean
The cleanroom has very specific protocols for gowning as well as entering and exiting. Booties are required before entry to the gown room and full gowns are used, including facemasks, gloves and goggles. Cleanrooms are maintained at a temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit, plus or minus one degree, with a relative humidity of 45 percent, plus or minus five percent.
The facility was built to exceed the requirements set by the South Coast Air Quality Management District of California. Dual volatile organic compound (VOC) carbon units and scrubbers from Air Chem Systems Inc. (Huntington Beach, CA) were installed to accommodate expansion without installing an ancillary system in the future. The dual units were used in case one unit went bad or was shut down. With two units, the potential for hazardous material escaping into the outside air is dramatically lessened.Engineers, however, had another problem to deal with once the scrubbers, chillers and pumps were fired up: Noise. Because the equipment was outside, the constant shriek was causing neighbors to complain.
Sound attenuating panels were then installed around the scrubbers, chillers and pumps, and later extra panels were installed to ensure the surrounding neighborhood would be undisturbed with the noise level from the facility.
Working with a team
In this case, the project would never have started had everyone not bought into the specs presented or the ability to modify those same plans during construction. The electrical contractor, Quintero’s Electric, started with 400 amps coming into the building. By the time the project was complete, there were 2,400 amps coming into the building for the cleanroom and equipment.
The local building inspectors were brought in to see the facility and gave their blessings to begin construction without full permits being issued. CRW went to the city planners to coordinate planning/build, off-site sewers, SCAQMD restrictions, industrial waste concerns and fire safety issues.
Additionally, the waste system needed to be fed directly into the city sewer system and additional systems needed to be installed to meet waste requirements. Having met and worked with the city planners early in the process, the planners knew the project and were able to accommodate these needs in a timely manner.
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