Probably the biggest challenge in maintaining manufacturing area cleanliness—and a significant energy user—can be found in the recirculating air system.
For our prototype facility, the criterion will be to maintain ISO Class 5 (class 100) for 365 days per year in manufacturing areas with exposed product. Therefore, the design basis will be an airflow load of 55 cfm per square foot of floor area (the average office area is below 1 cfm per square foot). 100% of the ceiling will be comprised of ULPA filters. The resulting 1,400,000 cfm of airflow would consume 660 kW of power, year-round. So, how can an HVAC installation save energy and still maintain manufacturing space cleanliness, which is essential to product integrity?
From: Ask the Facilities Guy
