When working in a cleanroom it is important to maintain a pristine, contaminant free, environment. The less well-kept a room is then the more likely it is harboring pollutants, which can distort the results of the work taking place within the room. Since these rooms are built to prevent contamination to an exceedingly small degree, not implementing a regular maintenance schedule can fundamentally interfere with the functionality of the room over a period of time. The best way to ensure your work space is pristine, is by creating a regular maintenance routine that is specific to your critical environment’s needs. In this post we’ll take a look at why exactly this is so important, some ways to establish a regular maintenance schedule, and provide a general outline for thorough cleansing of all equipment within a cleanroom.

Why is maintenance so important?

Regular maintenance is vital to cleanrooms because without a maintenance plan, contaminants will accumulate and put all work within the environment at risk of being compromised. It's not just limited to physically cleaning a room, but also ensuring reliability and efficiency of equipment day to day. A thorough maintenance plan will reduce the potential amount of unplanned downtime due to breakdowns and faults. Preventative measures reduce this potential through regular checks of the equipment and the room itself. A regular plan prevents the buildup of dust, vapors, and other airborne particles which equipment and products are sensitive to. Not only is creating a schedule of regular maintenance for a room important, but so is the exact way that it occurs. In fact, even wiping up a mess improperly can be a potential source of contamination. We recommend using lint-free, disposable mop heads, non-shedding wipes, plastic or stainless steel buckets, as well as HEPA filter vacuums while cleaning your room. Always make sure that you have the specified equipment for your room as well. Improperly matched products in rooms can result in the introduction of microorganisms into your environment, effectively contaminating your cleanroom.

Day to Day Maintenance

The most effective way to ensure your room maintains its day to day cleanliness is to establish daily maintenance routines. Regular routines, while working, serve to clear the room from particles introduced by cleanroom staff. Every room has different requirements, but the following are some ways to control the human component. Before establishing guidelines in your own cleanroom, first make sure that they are appropriate for your specific requirements. The following rules have been assembled by Roger McFadden, Senior Scientists for Staples Inc, and are appropriate for a Class 1000 cleanroom.