Air Shower Clean Room Design
Designing an air shower for a clean room involves several critical components to ensure contamination control and maintain the integrity of the clean environment. Here are the key elements and considerations:
1. Purpose and Requirements
- Purpose: Air showers are used to remove particulate contaminants from personnel or equipment before they enter a clean room.
- Clean Room Class: Determine the required cleanliness class (e.g., ISO 5, ISO 6) to define the air shower specifications.
2. Air Flow and Filtration
- Air Velocity: High-velocity air jets (typically 20-30 m/s) are used to dislodge contaminants.
- HEPA/ULPA Filters: High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) or Ultra-Low Penetration Air (ULPA) filters ensure air cleanliness by removing 99.99% of particles.
- Air Flow Pattern: Ensure a uniform air flow pattern to cover all surfaces.
3. Design and Construction
- Materials: Use non-shedding, easy-to-clean materials like stainless steel or powder-coated steel.
- Sealing: Proper sealing to prevent contaminants from escaping the air shower area.
- Lighting: Adequate lighting for visibility without generating heat or particles.
- Interlocking Doors: Ensure doors are interlocked to prevent both from opening simultaneously, maintaining pressure and preventing contamination.
4. Controls and Automation
- Control Panel: User-friendly control panel for easy operation.
- Timers: Adjustable shower duration and air velocity.
- Sensors: Sensors to detect occupancy and start the air shower cycle.
- Emergency Stop: Emergency stop button for safety.
5. Maintenance and Monitoring
- Filter Maintenance: Regular filter checks and replacements.
- Air Flow Verification: Periodic verification of air flow velocity and patterns.
- Surface Cleaning: Regular cleaning of interior surfaces.
6. Integration with Clean Room
- Location: Positioned at entry points to critical areas.
- Size: Adequate size to accommodate personnel and equipment without compromising air flow.
- Noise Levels: Minimizing noise to prevent disruption.
Example Layout
- Entry/Exit Doors: Interlocked to prevent simultaneous opening.
- Air Jets: Strategically placed to cover all surfaces.
- HEPA/ULPA Filters: Located in the ceiling or walls.
- Control Panel: Outside the air shower for easy access.
- Sensors and Timers: To control operation and duration.
Standards and Guidelines
- ISO 14644: International standards for clean rooms and associated controlled environments.
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice): Regulations for the design and maintenance of clean rooms in pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Final Steps
- Design Review: Review the design with stakeholders and ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Installation: Ensure proper installation by qualified personnel.
- Validation and Testing: Validate and test the air shower to ensure it meets the required specifications and performance criteria.
Incorporating these elements ensures the effective design and operation of an air shower for maintaining clean room standards.
