Definition
What is a Cleanroom?

A Cleanroom is really any enclosed and controlled area where the internal environment is maintained at a cleanliness level which is constant and better than its surrounding or ambient area.

Classification
What does a Cleanroom's classification mean?

Cleanrooms are classifed by the allowable size and quantities of particles within a given volume of cleanroom air. For instance, a Class 10,000 Cleanroom can have no more than 10,000 1/2 micron-sized particles within a cubic foot of cleanroom air. Whereas a Class 10 Cleanroom can have no more than 10 1/2 micron, or 350 1/10 micron-sized particles within a cubic foot of cleanroom air. To put this all into perspective, a micron is 1 millionth of a meter and a typical office environment can have 1,000,000 or more micron-sized particles within a cubic foot of its air! ISO 14644 has further refined cleanroom standards. For a complete chart of Cleanroom Equivalents, please visit our communications section and download the "Basic Cleanroom Design Rules and Equivalents" chart.

Furnishings
Do I need special furniture in a cleanroom?

Since a cleanroom is a controlled environment, the furnishings put into the cleanroom should not degrade the environment. The tables, racks, benches, carts, seating, etc. should all be compatible with the cleanroom environment. i.e. They should be cleanroom rated. A common mistake made is placing wooden tables or fabric chairs in a cleanroom. Both wood and fabric are very pourous and cannot be wiped down sufficiently to remain particle neutral (non-particulate generating) in a cleanroom environment. Standard paper products and lead pencils can be another source of cleanroom contamination. Please download the paper entitled "Cleanroom Protocol" for more information on this subject.