Cleanrooms

A cleanroom controls the level of micro-contamination in it by mechanical ventilation and filtration through high efficiency filters. The filters create an environment low in sub-micron particles. By removing such small particles, bacteria are also removed.

The level of particle control required is defined by the classification of the cleanroom as set out in ISO 14644-1:1999

The most basic performance measurement is therefore the airborne particle count. However, in order to assess the true condition of a cleanroom, more parameters need to be assessed as they have a critical bearing on how the cleanroom performs in every day use. The various performance tests and acceptance criteria are set out in ISO 14644-3:2005, IEST-RP-CC006.3 and IEST-RP-CC034.3. It is helpful to list the various major components which are key to maintaining control and the tests that are used to measure their performance.

  • HVAC System Airflow
  • System Pressures
  • System Balance
  • System Condition Control
  • Installed System Filter Leakage Test
  • Airflow and Air Velocity Uniformity
  • Filter Differential Pressure
  • Air change rate
  • Room Pressure/Differential Pressure
  • Flow Patterns
  • Recovery Tests
  • Airborne Particle Count Test
  • Temperature and Humidity Measurement
  • Light/Lux Level Measurement
  • Noise Level Measurement
  • Microbial Air Sampling