Cleanroom furnishings with cleanroom furniture – observe requirements
Cleanroom furnishings – also known as cleanroom equipment – are firstly about ensuring that the cleanroom furniture meets the requirements of the respective cleanroom class. On the other hand, the furniture must also be fit for purpose for the specific cleanroom, i.e. it must be able to fulfill the expected functions.
The experts at cleanroom specialist wholesaler abovo support you with cleanroom furnishings, for example in selecting the right cleanroom furniture for your production requirements. For individual requirements, we work together with the customer to develop suitable solutions and even offer custom-made cleanroom furniture made of stainless steel.
In this article, we explain what needs to be considered when furnishing a cleanroom with cleanroom furniture.
Requirements for cleanroom furniture
Cleanroom equipment should be planned correctly from the outset. It is easier to equip the cleanroom to meet the requirements of future applications from the outset than to retrofit the cleanroom at a later date.
When setting up a cleanroom, it is first necessary to clarify which requirements the cleanroom must meet, i.e. which level of cleanliness must be guaranteed in the cleanroom for the specific application. The level of cleanliness depends on how many particles are present in the air, partly depending on the particle size.
As not every application requires the same level of cleanliness in the cleanroom, cleanrooms are divided into so-called cleanroom classes. The cleanroom furniture must then comply with the specifications of the respective cleanroom class.
In Switzerland, there are basically two different cleanroom class systems, the ISO and the GMP system. In the following overview table, we have listed the cleanroom classes of the GMP system, whereby the entries refer to the maximum number of particles permitted per cubic meter:
| Particles ≥ 0.5 μm (resting state) | Particles ≥ 5.0 μm (resting state) | Particles ≥ 0.5 μm (operating state) | Particles ≥ 5.0 μm (operating state) | |
| Class A | 3520 | 20 | 3520 | 20 |
| Class B | 3520 | 29 | 352 000 | 2900 |
| Class C | 352 000 | 2900 | 3 520 000 | 29 000 |
| Class D | 3 520 000 | 29 000 | not specified | not specified |
Source: Annex 1 to the EC Guide to Good Manufacturing Practice
There is also cleanroom furniture that is both suitable for use in cleanrooms and ESD-capable, such as ESD cleanroom chairs.
You may also be interested in the following article: “Which consumables are suitable for both the cleanroom – as well as for the ESD area?“
Materials for cleanroom furniture
The requirements of the cleanroom class that the respective cleanroom has to fulfill determine, among other things, which material the cleanroom furniture is made of.
Stainless steel is used almost exclusively for the highest cleanroom classes GMP A and B, but is also suitable for the lower cleanroom classes C and D. The advantages of stainless steel are
- High chemical resistance
- High mechanical resistance
- Hygienically high-quality surface finishes possible
Please also read our article on “Cleanroom equipment: stainless steel cleanroom furniture and other furnishings“.
The material HPL (High Pressure Laminate) can also be used for class C and D cleanrooms. The advantage over stainless steel is that HPL does not appear as cold, i.e. it creates a warmer atmosphere in the cleanroom. HPL is also characterized by the following properties:
- abrasion resistant
- scratch resistant
- Easy to clean hygienically
- Insensitive to chemicals
Melamine resin-coated core boards are also used in class D cleanrooms. Melamine resin boards are characterized by the following properties:
- Resistant surface
- Hardness of the surface
- Non-porous surface
- Extensive abrasion resistance of the surface
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to alkalis, acids, alcohols and water
Avoid grooves and joints when furnishing
Gaps, grooves, joints or similar openings or unevenness that are difficult to clean should be avoided in cleanroom furnishings. This applies both to the cleanroom furniture itself and to the installation of cleanroom furniture in the cleanroom, such as workbenches along a wall.
It can also happen that scratches or unevenness form on work surfaces of certain cleanroom furniture over time, for example. In this case, it is advisable to replace these work surfaces or the associated furniture.
Observe ergonomics
When equipping the cleanroom with cleanroom furniture, such as cleanroom chairs and cleanroom tables, care should also be taken to ensure that employees do not feel uncomfortable when working, especially if they have to spend a long time in the cleanroom.
Special ergonomic cleanroom chairs are available to relieve the strain on employees’ health when sitting, for example. For activities that require employees to stand a lot, standing aids are also suitable.
Advice on cleanroom equipment
If you require further information on cleanroom equipment or need assistance in selecting the right cleanroom furniture for your applications, simply contact our cleanroom experts at abovo. The cleanroom specialist wholesaler abovo has many years of expertise in the field of cleanroom equipment. You can also order custom-made stainless steel cleanroom furniture from abovo.
The best way to contact our cleanroom experts at abovo is by telephone or e-mail:
- Telephone number: +41 32 552 44 44
- E-mail: info@abovo.ch
