Clean Room Systems
Clean room systems consist of all components that make up a functioning clean room. There are many different construction types, including portable, which can be moved, permanent, which is an existing room transformed into a clean room, and modular, which is a free-standing and temporary structure built within another room. These custom made or pre-made sterile work environments are able to control the amount of particles and air pollutants, the temperature and level of cleanliness for the electronics, pharmaceutical, biomedical, aerospace, nuclear and microelectric industries. They are composed of ceilings, which contain the filtration systems, walls, which may be hard panels or long plastic flaps, floors, doors, lighting systems and sometimes windows. Inside clean room systems are equipment, furniture and supplies that provide workspaces that differ based on the clean room's purpose and function.
The components of clean room systems must always be made of easy to sterilize materials. Steel, stainless steel, acrylic and polycarbonate are often used because of their small pores and smooth surface, which doesn't trap bacteria or dirt in comparison to other building materials. Most clean room system entrances are pass throughs, consisting of two sets of doors that prevent outside contamination. Air showers, which are high-pressure nozzles, rid personnel or equipment entering the clean room of contaminants like dust, dirt and bacteria. Clean rooms have higher air pressure and tight air seals to prevent contaminants from being sucked into the area. They also increase the cleanliness by using air filtration systems that prevent air currents in the room. Personnel are asked to move slowly while in the clean room to minimize the air currents their body motion helps to create. HEPA filters are most often used, where air passes through a series of fibers and screens that remove the majority of airborne particulates.