How Clean is Your Cleanroom?

How clean is your controlled environment? Is this a question that keeps you up at night? If not, maybe it should. What are the specifications for critical care settings? How do you know if you are meeting them? 
There are two systems of measure in critical environemtn standards. The English, 209E, method and the European, ISO.  The ISO method assigns a number to the ratio of particles in a cubic square of air. The English method uses the number of particles per cubic square. In the English method, this is stated as 100 particles per cubic square of air which is the equivalent of 5 on the ISO scale. This is considered a clean room class 100. It is important to knowyour internal specifications are for your critical environment as they may differ.
Determining the cleanliness of your environment is vital to keeping it sterile. Testing equipment, such as an Air Particle Counter (APC), is used to test the air quality. APC's (use laser technology) are highly calibrated and require recalibration at least once yearly. Valutek can check your environment, using this, and other state-of-the-art equipment. Once the level of particles is determined, we offer materials designed to meet these standards and keep your clean room safe.

When testing the critical environment, three tests of air quality are made to assure the class 100, or other designated level, is met. Each test, using the APC is run for one minute. 

1. Static/At Rest- this test is conducted with the room empty of people and with the Hepafilter turned on. No machines or equipment are running during this test. 
2. With Tools- for the second test, the Hepa filters remain on, and the machines or equipment are running, but no people are in the room. 
3. Dynamic/Fully operational- the final test is conducted with the Hepa filter running, equipment and tools on, and workers in the chamber. 

By running these three separate tests, you determine where, if any, contamination originates. Once this information is isolated, you make the necessary adjustments. This data should be archived for trending anaylsis.
Let Valutek help you keep your critical environment safe and functional. Contact us today for testing and materials.