Once a cleanroom is built and activated, constant monitoring and maintenance are required. Equipment, tools, furniture, raw materials, outside air, people and even the type of garment worn by them will have to be examined for contamination risk before being allowed to enter. Specific conductivity material, antistatic characteristics, out gassing properties or even antimicrobial aspects may be required.
The objectives of environmentally controlled Cleanrooms are to provide contamination-free space in which to test and/or manufacture contamination free products. Nonetheless, contamination has a way of unexpectedly occurring without any indication of its origin.
Particles
- Solid (dust), Liquid
Bio Contamination
- Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, Etc.
Electrical Charge
Particle size is measured in microns (25,400 equals 1”). A particle of this size becomes a source of contamination when it is allowed in a place or situation where it can damage the end product. The function of the cleanroom is to limit, as much as possible, the number of particles within the critical area.
The cleanroom deals with contamination in three (3) basic ways:
- Preventing the entry of particulate contamination by filtration of the air entering the room.
- Changing the air within the room with a frequency dependent on the classification of the room. These air changes purge the air of particulate generated within the room by personnel and procedure.
- Providing an area and a specified procedure for cleaning of personnel, parts and equipment prior to their introduction into the room.