The number of clean room certificates is vast. So, ISO narrowed this range to make a common standard, called ISO 14644. This standard shows the maximum allowable particles per unit volume by micron size that can be permitted for certain industries. This would include pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, quality control, laboratories, cosmetics, etc. The chart for maximum particle concentrations is located in the sub-category, ISO 14644-1. The classification is by number for easy reference.
A clean room recirculates the air inside the room and uses filters to remove the particles. The filters can be made from either High Efficiency Particulate Air filter media, HEPA, or Ultra Low Penetration Air filter media, ULPA, depending on the quality required. The lower the ISO number, the more cost involved in achieving such a status. This will include entrance and exit requirements, clean room garments, and materials of construction. Each class is divided into ISO numbers, ranging from 1 to 9. The class identifies the maximum limit for particulate size and quantity per cubic meter of air. The chart below showcases the size and the quantity breakdown.
The EXAIR IntelliStat® Air Guns and IntelliStat® Nozzles can be used in rooms that are ISO 5 and larger. The IntelliStat product is designed for manual or hands-free operations to remove static and to clean surfaces. It is a great product for quality checks, PCB manufacturing, cleaning glass lenses and medical devices without sacrificing the clean room requirements.
EXAIR does have the capability to design and create specialized products as well to suit specific clean rooms. If you would like to discuss your production environment or blow-off application within a clean room, please contact an Application Engineer.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb
