company news about Cleanroom Classification Standards

A cleanroom is an environment designed to control the level of dust, microorganisms, and other contaminants in the air, providing a clean, sterile workspace. Cleanrooms are essential in many high-tech industries, especially in sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and food processing. To ensure that cleanrooms meet stringent requirements, national standards have been established for their classification and operation. In this article, we will introduce the national standards for cleanroom classification and their applications.

What is a Cleanroom?

A cleanroom is a controlled environment that maintains the cleanliness of the air to a specific standard through specialized air handling equipment, filters, and strict temperature and humidity control. The main function of a cleanroom is to limit contamination by airborne particles, especially those larger than 0.5 microns, to meet specific cleanliness standards.

Cleanroom Classification Standards

According to the "Cleanroom Air Cleanliness Classification Standard" (GB/T 29862-2013), cleanrooms are classified based on the concentration of airborne particles and air movement. The standards categorize cleanrooms into various classes, ranging from the cleanest (Class 1) to Class 100,000, with each class corresponding to a specific level of particle concentration.

1. Classification of Cleanrooms:

Class 1: No more than 1 particle per cubic meter of air greater than or equal to 0.5 microns.

Class 10: No more than 10 particles per cubic meter of air greater than or equal to 0.5 microns.

Class 100: No more than 100 particles per cubic meter of air greater than or equal to 0.5 microns.

Class 1,000: No more than 1,000 particles per cubic meter of air greater than or equal to 0.5 microns.

Class 10,000: No more than 10,000 particles per cubic meter of air greater than or equal to 0.5 microns.

Class 100,000: No more than 100,000 particles per cubic meter of air greater than or equal to 0.5 microns.

2. Application Scope

Different classes of cleanrooms are used for various industry needs:

Class 1, Class 10, Class 100: Common in high-precision fields like semiconductor manufacturing, nanotechnology, and aerospace.

Class 1,000, Class 10,000: Widely used in the pharmaceutical, food processing, and other hygiene-sensitive industries.

Class 100,000: Primarily used for general industrial applications, mechanical assembly, and less stringent cleanliness environments.

Factors Affecting Cleanroom Standards

Several factors influence the cleanliness of a cleanroom:

Air Filtration System: High-efficiency air filters (such as HEPA or ULPA filters) are crucial in removing airborne particles.

Airflow: Cleanrooms must maintain proper airflow to prevent the accumulation of contaminants.

Personnel and Equipment Management: The proper attire of staff, management of equipment, and goods are essential to maintaining a clean environment.

Temperature and Humidity Control: Maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity levels helps reduce static and the spread of bacteria.

How to Maintain Cleanroom Standards?

Regular Monitoring: The concentration of particles in the cleanroom air should be regularly monitored to ensure compliance with national standards.

Maintenance and Cleaning: Cleanroom surfaces and equipment must be regularly cleaned to maintain a dust-free environment.

Staff Training: Personnel must be properly trained to ensure they wear the correct protective clothing and understand how to maintain a cleanroom environment.

Conclusion

Cleanrooms, as essential facilities in high-tech industries, play a critical role in ensuring product quality, public health, and safety. As technology advances and production environments become more demanding, the scope and standards for cleanrooms will continue to evolve and improve.