The term HVAC is quite popular and commonly used. However, to fully understand cleanrooms and use them effectively and scientifically. You should also learn about related cleanroom terminology such as what is an airlock, what is turbulent flow, what is laminar flow, what are Cleanroom Partitions or partition panels, etc. to be able to apply them better.

Cleanrooms are now widely used in many industry groups and different fields. The main purpose of cleanrooms is to serve research and production activities.

Therefore, many businesses today have begun to recognize its role and decided to apply these cleanrooms in their research and production activities.

What is the concept or terminology of a cleanroom?

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The definition of a cleanroom according to ISO 14644 – 1 is a room in which the amount of airborne particles is controlled to a minimum.

And a cleanroom is built and used in a structure such that the presence, generation, and retention of particles in the room are reduced to a minimum. Factors such as temperature, pressure, and humidity are also strictly controlled and regulated to be most beneficial for the above processes. In addition, cleanrooms are also ensured to be sterile, without the presence of harmful gases, hence the term “clean.”

>>> See more: Strict requirements in Operating room standards

Some common cleanroom terminology:

Air flow rate: This term expresses the volume of air flow per unit of time.
Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Class Number: The smaller the particle level number, the higher the cleanliness of the room, and vice versa.
Ceiling Grid System: A building structure with additional lighting and air filtration systems installed.
Cleanroom Partitions: Interior walls of a cleanroom. They are often used to divide the cleanroom into different clean areas. All to meet different cleanliness requirements when in use.
Clean Room Pass Thrus: Air-locking rooms used as corridors for products and raw materials to enter or exit the cleanroom area without personnel entering, minimizing the intrusion of air contaminants into the cleanroom.
Clean Room Suits: Often called “bunny suits” and worn over regular clothing. These suits are made of anti-static non-woven fabric.
Clean Room Tables: Tables with perforated or solid work surfaces, meeting cleanroom requirements.
Contamination: Hazardous or unwanted substances whose presence in the environment can reduce the purity of that environment.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD): The uncontrolled release of electrical potential, also known as “static shock,” easily damaging semiconductor products.
Equipment Layout: A summary of the cleanroom and other functional areas needed to be functionally linked and coordinated in operation.
Federal Standard 209E: A document declaring the air cleanliness standards of cleanrooms.
Filter Module: A device with a HEPA or ULPA filter installed in the ceiling or walls of a cleanroom.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter: The ability to filter air by retaining at least 99.97% of dust particles as small as 0.3 microns.
ULPA (Ultra Low Particulate Air) Filter: An air filter that can retain 99.9999% of particles as small as 0.12 microns.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) Systems: Equipment to provide and maintain heating, cooling, and air conditioning in a building or production facility.
Microbes: Extremely small and often disease-carrying organisms. They are often dispersed from human skin during skin cell shedding.
Particle Size: The measurement or dimensions of a particle.
Particle: An object, which can be solid or liquid, with a size ranging from 0.001 to 1,000 microns.
Particulate: An object consisting of many separate particles.
Prefilters: Additional filters used in conjunction with the main filter; they filter large particles and protect the main filter from excessive contamination.
Sample Acquisition Time: The time the particle counter accumulates counting data before automatically resetting to zero and counting again.
Sealant: A substance, usually plastic or silicone, used to attach HEPA filters to the ceiling frame.
Sticky Mat: A door mat placed at the entrance to cleanrooms and bathrooms. This mat uses an adhesive film to clean employees’ footwear.
Testing/Certification Services: Inspection and maintenance of cleanroom components, including HEPA filters, HVAC systems, and other equipment. HEPA filter testing includes surveys and particle counting, air conditioning measurements, and air flow vibration and stability measurements.
Turbulent Flow: Air flow in a given space that does not flow in the same direction.
Utility Matrix: Also known as the “process and equipment utilization table,” summarizing analyses of the utilization of each piece of equipment to plan the construction of a cleanroom.
Unidirectional Airflow Cleanrooms/Laminar airflow cleanrooms: Cleanrooms in which filtered air enters the room and flows to the working area in a single direction, minimizing air turbulence. Unidirectional airflow cleanrooms often use HEPA or ULPA filters covering 80% or more of the ceiling (vertical flow) or a wall (horizontal flow).
Room recovery rate: The time it takes for a contaminated room to achieve the designed cleanliness level according to GMP requirements.
Cleanroom certification: Various tests are performed to ensure a cleanroom is operating at its required cleanliness level.

What is the concept of the term airlock?

airlock

When discussing the structure of a cleanroom, airlock chambers are indispensable. Airlock is a familiar concept, often referred to as a buffer room, intermediate room, or airlock.

An airlock is an enclosed space with one or more doors. And its doors usually do not open or close simultaneously.

These spaces are often placed next to cleanrooms to separate air flow between cleanrooms with different cleanliness levels. Or used to separate the air in the cleanroom from the air in the normal traffic area outside.

Airlocks are used to control air in environments that require air and pressure control.

Airlock chambers can be used for people or goods/materials when moving within controlled areas. However, airlock chambers do not function as emergency exits.

Structure of an Airlock chamber:

♦ Airlocks are designed and installed using cleanroom panels (partition panels) or electrostatic powder-coated steel or stainless steel. The choice of materials depends on the needs of each factory.

♦ Airlock doors are often made of Panel or Vinyl, or flexible PVC for ease of use and cleaning. They can be easily removed for repair when needed.

♦ Doors often use an interlock system (meaning two doors cannot open or close simultaneously).

Common types of Airlocks today:

Standard Airlock:

♦ This type of Airlock is commonly used in factories. In this type of Airlock, the air flow is minimally circulated.

♦ It is always ready to work, serving the movement of people and goods through the cleanroom. In a standard Airlock, the air flow is maintained as neutral.

♦ To help reduce air turbulence or pressure levels during the movement of people or goods from the outside environment into the cleanroom area.

♦ Or moving from one air-controlled environment to another.

♦ Standard Airlocks often use an interlock system to prevent the simultaneous opening of two doors.

Air-pressurized Airlock:

♦ This type of Airlock uses a HEPA Filter air filtration system combined with a low-energy EC fan. To ensure that the air inside the room is always filtered and circulated correctly. It often uses automatic sliding doors for easy movement.

♦ Air-pressurized Airlocks operate as their name suggests, to regulate air and prevent air from mixing between different cleanrooms.

♦ To prevent air from the outside area from entering the cleanroom, preventing cross-contamination between controlled areas.

♦ Due to its special features, this type of air-pressurized Airlock is often used for biotechnology cleanrooms, in hospitals. Or used for pharmaceutical cleanrooms with strict ISO class A or B cleanliness standards.

Large-sized Airlock:

♦ This type of Airlock is used when large-sized goods or large carts need to be transported into the cleanroom.

♦ Large-sized Airlocks often use revolving doors with multiple wings but still meet the requirements for air tightness. This type of door only requires one person to control and can be moved easily. It saves labor costs for factories.

♦ This Airlock often uses vinyl or flexible PVC doors for easy cleaning and removal for repairs.

High-tech Airlock:

♦ A specialized buffer room in high-end cleanrooms, in places specializing in nuclear research. Or research on advanced electronics, areas that require strict control over dust and air circulation.

♦ This type of high-tech Airlock is automated and can be controlled remotely.

♦ Cleanzone: An area where airborne particles are consistently controlled below the permissible level.

♦ Federal Standard 209E: Refers to administrative documents declaring air cleanliness standards for cleanrooms.

♦ Laminar flow: The level of air flow in a defined area, with a specified air direction and velocity.

♦ Prefilters: Additional filters used in conjunction with the main filter; they filter large particles and protect the main filter from excessive contamination.

♦ Sample Acquisition Time: The time the particle counter accumulates counting data before it resets to zero and counts again.

♦ Turbulent Flow: Air flow in a given space that does not flow in the same direction.

♦ Utility Matrix: A summary of analyses of the utilization of each piece of equipment to plan the construction of a cleanroom.

♦ Unidirectional Airflow Cleanrooms/ Laminar Airflow Cleanrooms: Cleanrooms in which filtered air enters the room and flows to the working area in a single direction, minimizing air turbulence. Unidirectional airflow cleanrooms often use HEPA or ULPA filters covering 80% or more of the ceiling (vertical flow) or a wall (horizontal flow).

♦ Room recovery rate: The time it takes for a contaminated room to achieve the designed cleanliness level according to GMP requirements.

♦ Cleanroom certification: Various tests are performed to ensure a cleanroom is operating at its required cleanliness level.

Every industry has its own terminology to express its related characteristics. The cleanroom terminology above will help you understand what you are wondering about.

If you need to design, install HEPA filters, or construct cleanrooms, please contact MIGCO via the Hotline: 0937755800

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