The design and installation process for a cleanroom is complex, particularly due to the added responsibility to prevent every type of contamination. Clean and careful cable management for electrical and other penetrations is sometimes overlooked during the initial design phase of a cleanroom, which can lead to unintended air leaks in the future. However, this important design factor must be a priority, as it can aid designers in sealing out airborne contaminants that could otherwise leak through improperly sealed wall penetrations.
The sealing solution for a cleanroom needs to be designed, tested, and certified for long-term functionality. The seals must be approved for use in hazardous and potentially explosive environments.
Compact sealing solutions are capable creating an airtight seal with minimal structural alteration, and can work in operation under constant pressure. Certified compact sealing systems can effectively seal services in the most hazardous environments, such as when fumigation takes place. The simplicity and reliability of compact seals allows changes to be made and new services added with great first time validation results.
This cleanroom tip was taken from “Cleanroom Technology: Sealing the Leaks,” by Jason Hood. The article originally appeared in the January/February 2015 issue of Controlled Environments.
