22 Jul Cleanroom Air Showers: A Quick Guide
Did you know that up to 80% of particles within cleanrooms come from the personnel who work there? Cleanroom air showers act as access points where people can clean themselves before entering a space. By doing so, they help prevent contamination and maintain the quality of sensitive products and research. In this article, we will define what cleanroom air showers are, how they work, their benefits, and more.
What are Cleanroom Air Showers?
Cleanroom air showers are enclosed spaces with high-velocity air jets that blast contaminants off individuals and objects before they enter a cleanroom. They are called ‘air showers’ because they clean personnel before they enter a space, acting as a kind of gateway or vestibule to cleaner areas. As you might expect, air showers reduce the risk of particles entering a cleanroom, as people are one of the main sources of contamination.
How Do Cleanroom Air Showers Work?
They operate by directing high-speed jets of HEPA- or ULPA-filtered air at personnel or equipment. Air nozzles blast this air to remove particles. These particles are then captured by the air shower’s filtration system, which prevents them from lingering or getting into the cleanroom later.
Air showers come in various designs, including single-door, two-door, and tunnel models. They typically feature stainless steel or powder-coated steel exteriors for durability and easy cleaning.
When a person or object enters the air shower, sensors activate the air jets, which starts the decontamination process. This process usually lasts between 10 to 30 seconds. During this time, the people inside must turn around slowly to make sure that all surfaces are exposed to the air jets. Once the cycle is complete, the clean air shower’s exit door unlocks, allowing access to the cleanroom.
What are the Benefits of Cleanroom Air Showers?
Cleanroom air showers have a slew of advantages that are important for keeping an environment controlled and separate from other interconnected areas. Here are a few of the main ones:
Superior Contamination Control
Obviously, air showers improve control over contamination. By removing particles from personnel, cleanrooms become more effective at keeping a pristine environment. This is even more important in sectors where a few lone particles can cause serious damage to products.
Improved Product Quality
Through better contamination control, as we mentioned above, air showers help improve the quality of products. By preventing more particles from entering the cleanroom, they ensure that sensitive products remain free from defects.
Better Compliance
Many industries that use cleanrooms also have strict cleanliness standards that they must meet. Cleanroom air showers help compliance with these regulations, which ensures that ongoing operations can avoid potential fines or production stoppages.
Lower Costs in the Long Run
Although the initial investment in cleanroom air showers can be a lot, the long-term benefits include reduced contamination-related losses.
The Bottom Line
Cleanroom air showers are important in industries that require strict contamination control between cleanrooms and other working areas. They work by using high-velocity air jets to remove particles from personnel. The benefits of using cleanroom air showers include improved contamination control, product quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. For businesses and organizations in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics manufacturing, and similar sectors, investing in cleanroom air showers may be an important step in improving product quality and cleanroom efficiency.
Are you looking to upgrade your cleanroom or need expert advice? Contact Allied Cleanrooms today for a free quote and see how we can help you meet your project needs.