Air Shower Room
An air shower room (also called an air shower, cleanroom air shower, or decontamination air shower) is a specialized enclosed chamber or antechamber used primarily at the entrance to cleanrooms and other controlled environments. Its main purpose is to remove loose particles, dust, lint, and other contaminants from personnel (or sometimes equipment) before they enter a highly clean area, helping maintain strict cleanliness standards (e.g., ISO-classified cleanrooms).
How It Works
- A person (usually after gowning in cleanroom attire like coveralls, hood, gloves, and booties) enters the air shower room through one door.
- The doors interlock — the entry door locks, and the exit door to the cleanroom remains closed to prevent cross-contamination.
- High-velocity jets of HEPA-filtered (or ULPA-filtered) air (typically at speeds of 18–30 m/s or about 3,500–6,000 feet per minute) blast from multiple nozzles on the walls and ceiling.
- This "air shower" dislodges particles from clothing, hair, and surfaces.
- The dislodged contaminants are then drawn into low-pressure areas or recirculated through filters (often in a closed-loop system) and removed.
- After a timed cycle (usually 10–40 seconds), the exit door unlocks, allowing the person to proceed into the cleanroom.
Some advanced models include features like motion sensors, LED lighting, touchscreen controls, or even misting options for enhanced decontamination.
Common Applications
- Semiconductor manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
- Electronics assembly
- Aerospace
- Medical device production
- Any environment requiring ultra-low particle counts (e.g., ISO 5/Class 100 or cleaner cleanrooms)
Air showers are especially useful in higher-classification cleanrooms where even tiny particles can cause defects or contamination.
Here are some visual examples of typical air shower rooms in use:
