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Thu May 19, 2022

Air Shower Size

Air Shower Size

The size of an air shower, often used in cleanrooms and other controlled environments to remove contaminants from personnel and equipment, can vary depending on the specific requirements of the facility. Key factors that influence the size include:

  1. Number of Users: Air showers can be designed for single or multiple users. Larger units accommodate more people at once, reducing wait times in busy facilities.
  2. Type of Application: Different industries (e.g., pharmaceuticals, electronics, food processing) may have varying cleanliness standards, impacting the air shower's design and size.
  3. Available Space: The dimensions of the installation area will limit the maximum size of the air shower.
  4. Air Flow and Filtration Needs: The desired air flow rate and the type of filters used (HEPA, ULPA) can influence the overall size of the unit.
  5. Entry and Exit Points: Some air showers have single or double door configurations, impacting the layout and dimensions.

Cleanroom Air Shower Specifications

 Air showers are designed to quickly and effectively remove particulate prior to entering a cleanroom. The air shower selection criteria allow for high air-flow volume combined with high nozzle velocity, providing optimal operational power and force.


Air Shower Design & Functionality Qualities

Air showers are self-contained air recirculation systems installed at entrances to cleanrooms and other controlled environments. Since people and products are the main sources of cleanroom contamination, these cleanroom entry systems quickly and efficiently remove particulate contaminants from workers or products before they enter a clean space. 


How an Air Shower Works

Air showers operate similarly to automated car wash pressure washer systems, utilizing multiple steps throughout the decontamination process. The following cleanroom air shower specifications process details the operational aspects of a cleanroom air shower. 

  1. The worker passes through the entry door and a sensor activates interlock magnets, which lock the air shower and cleanroom doors.
  2. Numerous adjustable nozzles blow high-velocity streams of Class 100 filtered air onto the worker.
  3. The high-velocity air creates a flapping effect on clothing which produces a scrubbing action, removing particulates from cleanroom garments.
  4. To ensure all particulates are removed, workers raise their arms and rotate in place.
  5. Indicator lights signal the end of the cleaning cycle, and the cleanroom door opens.

Additionally, it takes four to eight seconds of cleaning time and another two to four seconds for the air shower to purge contaminated air before the worker can exit. Computerized microprocessors control the cleaning and wait times associated with the air shower decontamination process.


Air Shower Design Preparation Procedures

Air showers are the final cleaning step before entering a cleanroom. Prior to entering the air shower, workers put on appropriate cleanroom clothing in a gowning room—either a suit (which covers nearly the entire body) or a gown and cap or hood. Since people are the main source of cleanroom contamination, workers must follow a series of procedures before entering a cleanroom.


This “gowning” process disturbs and releases contaminants from street clothes that can settle onto cleanroom garments. Air showers remove the contaminants. This procedure helps to maintain cleanroom standards and helps to lower operating costs. This procedure helps to maintain cleanroom standards and helps to lower operating costs. The decontamination procedure in the air shower means cleaner air enters the cleanroom, reducing product defects and increasing production yields. 


High-Efficiency Cleanroom Air Shower Specifications Increase Productivity While Reducing Operating Costs 

Air showers blow high-velocity jets of HEPA-filtered air to remove loose particles from people and products before they enter a cleanroom. This decontamination process means cleaner air enters the cleanroom, reducing product defects and increasing production yields.Additional advantages include longer-lasting cleanroom HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters because contaminant loads are lower. The pre-cleaning air shower process also reduces the contamination load of the main cleanroom filtration system, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.


Air Shower Selection Criteria Application Guide 

Whether the goal is high semiconductor yields or a flawless paint finish, controlled environments are integral to manufacturing processes. Air showers are vital to maintaining the clean environment; they help protect operations from the constant threat of air particulate contamination. Some of the industries that directly benefit from proactive air shower design concepts include:

  • Life sciences
  • Electronics
  • Manufacturing & processing
  • Medical device
  • Optics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Nanotechnology

How Should an Air Shower Be Selected for Decontamination?

Before entering a clean workplace, gowned personnel are typically cleaned in Decontamination Air Showers. But they're also employed to clear workers' bodies of particles when they leave dangerous jobsites and interact with the public. Additionally, while relocating, an exit decontamination air shower can help avoid cross-contamination

Cleanroom Air Shower Specification Standards

Important factors to consider when specifying an air shower include effectiveness (power and capacity) and air filtration.

Effectiveness — Power and Capacity

Power and capacity are the major influences on the effectiveness of an air shower. Cleaning power is determined by nozzle velocity: the speed at which air is pushed through the nozzles. It takes high-velocity air to dislodge contaminants; the higher the velocity or cleaning force, the more contaminants are removed. Conversely, capacity is the volume of air circulated in the system. More air volume means faster cleaning and removal of contamination through the filtration and recirculation system.
 
To specify the most effective air shower, look for one that produces nozzle velocities of 7,800 feet per minute (fpm) and circulates 1,900 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of air. Velocity is measured at the nozzle, and cleaning effectiveness deteriorates as distance from the nozzle increases.
 
Therefore, air showers should have a high number of air nozzles positioned as close to the worker or product as possible. Ideally these nozzles should be able to be positioned and removed to allow for easy inspection of the high-pressure supply ducts. 


Air Filtration

An air shower’s recirculating air filtration systems typically use two sets of filters. The first is a pre-filter for catching the bulk of contaminants. The second is a high-capacity, 99%-efficient HEPA filter. System blower units are usually mounted in the ceiling. If your facility has height restrictions, make sure the blowers can be mounted on the external wall. For easy routine maintenance, pre-filters should be changed regularly. Replacement filters are economical and easy to change. 


Contact Accumax India for Air Shower Selection Criteria Today

Contact us for more information regarding cleanroom Air Shower specifications and the best ways on how to select an air shower, or request a quote for further pricing details today.