Air Shower Chamber
An Air Shower Chamber is a self-contained cleanroom entry enclosure that blows high-velocity HEPA- or ULPA-filtered air over personnel, carts, or materials to dislodge dust, fibers, and other loose particles before they enter a controlled area. It acts as an airlock/buffer between an unclassified area and the cleanroom.
How it works
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The user enters through one door; interlocks normally prevent the opposite door from opening during the cycle.
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Sensors trigger blowers that force filtered air through angled nozzles on the walls and ceiling.
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The air jets “scrub” garments or item surfaces, dislodging particles.
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Contaminated air is drawn through return grilles, passes through pre-filters and HEPA/ULPA filters, and is recirculated.
Typical nozzle air velocity is around 15–35 m/s, with a cycle of roughly 30–45 seconds, though the exact settings depend on the design and application.
Main components
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Enclosure: Usually modular panels in stainless steel, powder-coated steel, or cleanroom-grade materials.
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Blower/motor assembly: Generates high-pressure recirculated airflow.
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Filtration: Pre-filter plus HEPA filter; HEPA is commonly rated 99.99% efficient at 0.3 micron.
- Nozzles: Adjustable jets directed at the person or material.
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Controls: Timer, emergency stop, lighting, door interlocks, and sometimes occupancy sensors.
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Doors: Swing, sliding, or automatic doors with electrical/mechanical interlocking.
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Types
Type Best use Single-person chamber Small labs, pharma, electronics cleanrooms with low foot traffic Multi-person chamber Higher personnel flow in production facilities Tunnel air shower Continuous movement for larger teams; people pass through rather than wait Material/cart air shower Decontaminating trolleys, components, or equipment before cleanroom entry Pass-through air shower Transfer of goods between non-clean and clean zones Where it is used
Air shower chambers are used in pharmaceutical plants, medical-device manufacturing, laboratories, electronics/semiconductor facilities, food processing, cosmetics production, and other contamination-sensitive operations. They reduce particle transfer but do not replace gowning procedures, proper cleanroom design, or routine cleaning.