What Are Cleanrooms?

From the time of Swiss watchmakers, who used bell jars to prevent dust from falling on their timepieces, to the development of high efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters during WWII to provide clean workshops for precision manufacturing, the requirement for controlled environments has continued to grow apace.

Today an increasing number of industries such as Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Semi-conductor, Aerospace and many other high technology industries now require cleanrooms and environments so that processes, research and products can be produced without the risk of contamination.

Built mostly for a specific task or process, clean rooms have special air filtration systems to reduce the risk of airborne contaminants and the air pressure, temperature and humidity are carefully controlled and monitored. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are used to trap particles that are 0.3 micron and larger in size. A human hair is about 75-100 microns in diameter and yet a particle 200 times smaller than this (0.5 micron) can cause real problems in a cleanroom.

Strict internal procedures such as dress code (coveralls, gloves and masks) and regular cleaning or sterilisation of the room and equipment are all an essential requirement.

The design of such critical facilities require meticulous planning and attention to detail. Careful consideration to the selection of material used in the construction of the cleanroom is of paramount importance as ultimately the success of your cleanroom depends on these products.

With many cleanrooms requiring regular cleaning with sterilisation compounds or even fumigation using chemicals such as VHP (Vaporised Hydrogen Peroxide), it is critical that all surfaces and equipment within the clean room are of a highly durable materials to provide protection against rust and corrosion.

With our 30 years’ experience in the industry, the Astra Group manufactures a comprehensive range of cleanroom products including lighting, HEPA filtration and ceiling grid systems. We can provide both advice and site assessments to assist in the specification and selection of products to meet your requirements.

Innovation in design and engineered to perform, the integrity of your cleanroom is guaranteed.