Contamination control is vital for maintaining cleanroom environments. Pharmaceutical and semiconductor companies require especially stringent maintenance and sanitation programs to meet demanding standards for air quality, room design, and operation, such as those set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 14644-1, which defines guidelines for the classification of air cleanliness determined by the permissible particle size and levels of concentration, forces manufacturing facilities to maintain high standards for a contaminant-free facility to protect their equipment, products, and employees. Operational costs, long-standing cleaning procedures, and lack of proper equipment can stymie a company’s efforts to build a comprehensive maintenance program.
While the advanced air filtration systems in modern cleanroom HVACs trap most dust particles, cross contamination from dust is still a concern. Dense dust, which has high water content, and metal-containing dust can easily find its way into cleanrooms via things like the corrosion of faucets and plumbing or technician clothing. A careful protocol is necessary to remove these dust particles and avoid spreading contaminates during cleaning.
Whether the goal is high yields or regulatory compliance, controlled environments are integral to pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Air showers are vital to maintaining the clean environment; they help protect operations from the constant threat of air particulate contamination. Medical device, bio-tech, and pharmaceutical industries require contaminant-free environments and use air showers as part of their operations.
There are four basic mechanisms in which fibrous air filters remove contamination from the airstreams.
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