In laboratories and research facilities, clean room products are crucial and must meet strict cleanliness standards. They help remove dust, microbes, and other airborne contaminants that could compromise health, the manufacturing process, or measurement accuracy. Below, we highlight the key features and design considerations of clean rooms for laboratories and research facilities.
When are clean rooms needed for laboratories?
Accuracy and precision are essential in many fields, from healthcare to semiconductor manufacturing.
When even the slightest contamination threatens human health, production processes, or measurement reliability, a cleanroom is necessary.
Cleanroom classifications vary based on the sensitivity of the tasks performed. The international ISO 14644 standard defines these levels, ranging from 1 to 9.
Reducing contamination risk in clean rooms for laboratories
The primary purpose of cleanrooms is to minimize the risk of contamination. To achieve this, particle levels in the air are regulated using HEPA or ULPA filtration systems. Airflow should always be directed from higher-grade cleanrooms to lower-grade cleanrooms.
However, simply cleaning the internal air is not enough; it must also be maintained to prevent contamination entering from outside. This requires specialized cleanroom solutions, such as:
- Airtight clean room doors
- Clean room pass boxes
- Clean room cabinets
Cleanroom doors feature an enhanced airtight seal and a self-closing mechanism for optimal containment
Airtight clean room doors are needed to reduce contamination risks
To prevent contamination, clean rooms require specialized doors that ensure enhanced airtight sealing and a controlled, leak-proof environment. Clean room doors are equipped with self-closing mechanisms, interlocking systems, and airtight seals. These doors effectively block particle infiltration, ensuring the clean room remains uncompromised.
Clean room pass boxes make material transfer safe
The transfer of objects and materials between different cleanliness zones is often necessary and always involves a risk of contamination. Clean room pass boxes help minimize this risk. The doors of pass boxes always operate in an interlocking manner, allowing only one side to be opened at a time.
Pass boxes come in various designs:
- Static pass boxes
- Semi active pass boxes, equipped with a HEPA filter
- Dynamic pass boxes, featuring an independent fan unit with a HEPA or ULPA filter
Clean room cabinets protect cleanroom garments from contamination
Sterile and clean room cabinets and storage units are designed to protect cleanroom garments from contamination by preventing particle buildup through laminar airflow. They are essential in industries like pharmaceuticals, electronics manufacturing, and laboratory environments.
Cleanroom pass boxes are available in various designs and custom-made sizes
ISO-compliant airflow and ventilation requirements
Proper airflow and ventilation are essential to maintaining clean room standards. Depending on the ISO classification, clean rooms may require unidirectional airflow for highly sensitive processes. Most clean rooms use a "plug flow" system, where clean air enters from the ceiling and exits near the floor, creating a continuous flow that removes contaminants effectively.
For ISO 6 or lower class cleanrooms, a specialized cleaning system is needed for both personnel entry and item transfer. A clean room air shower serves this purpose by removing contaminant particles from clothing and fabric surfaces as individuals move from outside the cleanroom to the entry point.
Surface and electrical systems
All surfaces in a clean room, including walls, floors, and ceilings, must meet strict hygiene and durability standards. They should be smooth, non-porous, and resistant to chemicals, making them easy to clean and disinfect.
Lighting must also be specialized in clean room design. Fixtures must be sealed to prevent particle buildup and designed to minimize heat generation.
Tailor-made durable clean room solutions by KleanLabs®
With ten years of experience, we design cleanrooms tailored for specialized applications and offer turnkey solutions from initial planning to installation. Our products are built for durability, made from thick, reinforced aluminum profiles, and comply with the EN ISO 14644 standard.
