What are objectionable microorganisms and why do they matter? An objectionable microorganism is any microorganism that can cause illness, or which will degrade a product and thus cause it to be less effective. This is specifically in relation to the product's intended use and for products that are not required to be sterile. Obviously, sterile products have their own guidelines and must meet their own requirements. Any bacteria that are prone to proliferation would clearly be a concern, since their proliferation could quite easily adversely impact the intended performance of a given product.

The cleanliness of cleanrooms (like those that exist in the medical or semiconductor industry) is a constant concern for those who are responsible for maintaining the sanitary conditions that are mandatory for performing work in these rooms. Strong bacterial-fighting cleaning supplies can keep walls, floors, equipment, surfaces and other areas clean. Personnel can follow rigid hygiene regimens and wear frequently-laundered protective clothing along with head and mouth coverings, but the real hero of achieving contamination control is the air filtration system. The air filtration system relies heavily on filters that trap harmful contaminants. Experts who sell cleanroom filters & supplies, like Atlantic Technical Systems, know the importance of air filtration filters and would like to tell you about some of the different types of filters which may work best for your particular filtration system.

In a properly controlled cleanroom, there are specified limits for the concentration of airborne particles which must be continually removed from the air. Those particles might be created by the workers, the equipment, the process, or the facility itself. Air filtration and flow is critical to avoid cleanroom contamination. In order to visualize the room’s air flow and to comply with ISO Class 5 specifications, airflow visualization studies, also known as smoke studies, are performed to ensure that the airflow is exiting through the cleanroom HEPA filters in a single direction. In case of contamination, the smoke studies offer visual verification of where the contaminant would move within the room.

Cleanrooms utilize specialized technology and employee cleanliness protocols to maintain an environment free of all pollutants, including dust and other airborne particles. When enough protocols are put in place, the company can achieve cleanroom certification, which puts their business at the top of the industry in maintaining a carefully maintained environment. There are a number of unique industries that benefit from cleanroom certification.

Building a cleanroom is not a typical construction project. With the federal and international standards required for cleanroom classification, staying within a required budget is a challenge. And for many East Coast businesses, there is an additional hurdle--finding the space for a cleanroom. While it may be a challenging task, it isn't impossible. Cleanrooms don't require an entire building to meet classification standards, and can be built in a much smaller space. In fact, there are options available to transform an empty office into a cleanroom that will meet all the specifications required, in much less time than it would take for the construction or full renovation of a new space.

There are several classifications of cleanrooms, determined by the maximum level of particles allowed in measurements of the air within the room. Whether a class 1 room—with the most stringent restrictions on air quality and a difficult and rare condition to achieve—or a less restrictive class, when it comes to allowable contaminates all require expert protocol and cleanroom solutions. Since all classes share a common goal to eliminate and avoid contamination of the area, understanding the potential sources of contamination is important. Once the sources are identified, proper actions can be taken to address each and improve the conditions of the room.

Biosafety cabinet classification can be a delicate thing. This is not something that can be done quickly or without great care. When biological safety cabinet testing is needed, it means that some complex work will be happening that is entirely dependent on the right conditions being present in the atmosphere of the new cabinet. In order to commission such a space, the following requirements must be in place.

Secure HVAC Systems

This is the most important aspect to check out. The HVAC system for the entire building will not be secure enough to work with these biosafety zones. You will need a separate system in order to make things work well. There can be no contamination whatsoever with the air coming to and from other non-secure areas in the building. New testing should be done on this system regularly to ensure there is no crossover happening.

Cleanroom construction is designed to successfully meet the needs and standards of the industry in which it will operate. The equipment, available space, cleanliness level, and the room’s air pressure are all considerations that should comply with either industry standards (ISO) or federal standards (FDA, cGMP) in order to meet cleanroom certification levels.  Although cleanrooms require specific design criteria and specialized equipment, there are options that offer practical, energy-saving solutions. Listed below are 5 cost cutting strategies to consider when building a cleanroom: