Cleanroom floors demand the same kind of special attention required for other details of cleanroom design and construction. Among the criteria for cleanroom floors are:
- Absence of sites for microorganism growth or propagation;
- Minimum particles given off into the airstream;
- Resistance to attack by spilled chemicals;
- Containment of any spilled chemicals;
- Slip resistance;
- Electrical conductivity or electrostatic dissipation;
- Long-term durability/reliability.
Although few cleanroom floors meet all the requirements, every cleanroom floor must exhibit at least some of these characteristics to qualify under industry and government standards. Over the years, various construction materials and coverings have been employed to meet cleanroom requirements. These include such materials as concrete, terrazzo, vinyl sheeting, tile, thin-film coatings (paint), and most recently, engineered polymer toppings.