People are one of the biggest threats to a controlled cleanroom environment. Even the smallest particles carried in on clothing or equipment can compromise operations.
An effective tool for safeguarding cleanroom integrity is an air shower, a system that acts as the final checkpoint and ensures personnel and material meet standards for contamination control before entry. This article explains how air showers function, what design and construction options there are, and why they’re a key component of many cleanrooms.
What Is a Cleanroom Air Shower?
An air shower is a specialized entry system designed to remove loose particles from personnel or materials before they enter a cleanroom. Using high-velocity, HEPA-filtered air jets, these systems reduce the risk of particle contamination. They are most frequently used in more stringent cleanroom environments, like those held to ISO Class 5 and 6 standards.
How Air Showers Work
Before personnel or materials ever reach the cleanroom, air showers create a controlled transition zone that strips away unwanted particles. Here’s how.
- Personnel Entry - Individuals step into the enclosed chamber before entering the cleanroom.
- Air Jet Activation - High-velocity nozzles blast HEPA-filtered air at speeds of up to 8,000 feet per minute. This dislodged particles from garments and skin.
- Cycle Time - A typical air shower cycle lasts 15-30 seconds, long enough to remove contaminants without delaying workflow.
- Occupancy Limits - Some air showers are designed to accommodate just one person, while others can fit several people. It’s important to follow the protocols specific to each air shower’s design, otherwise you could risk bringing contaminants into the cleanroom.
- Exit to Cleanroom - Once the cycle is complete, doors automatically release, allowing personnel to enter the cleanroom free of external contaminants.
Types of Air Shower Systems
Not all cleanrooms have the same requirements. That’s why manufacturers offer a range of air shower systems to fit different facility layouts and applications.
- Standard Air Showers - Compact systems ideal for single-person entry in lower-traffic environments.
- Low-profile Air Showers - Designed with space-saving features for facilities with ceiling height restrictions.
- Tunnel Air Showers - Extended systems that allow multiple people to pass through at once.
- Material Entry Systems - Specialized design that decontaminate carts, tools, and equipment before they enter the cleanroom.
Air Shower Construction Materials and Features
Air showers can be built from a variety of materials and with a number of unique features, depending on the level of functionality, compliance, and durability you are looking for.
Common construction materials are:
- Plastic laminate, a cost-effective and versatile option.
- Painted aluminum, a lightweight option with excellent corrosion resistance.
- Stainless steel, a highly durable and easy-to-clean option that’s preferred for industries with strict cleanliness standards like pharmaceuticals.
Beyond base construction, facilities can integrate advanced safety and performance features, such as:
- Fire-rated doors for added protection
- Sprinkler systems to meet building code requirements
- Customizable controls to fine-tune cycle times, airflow, and operational protocols
Air Showers Protect Cleanroom Integrity Across Industries
Air showers are used in many industries, but there are some where eliminating contaminants is of even more importance. Some of these industries include semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical device manufacturing.
By reducing the contamination load at the entry point, an air shower can help your facility maintain ISO standards, improve product quality, and reduce the likelihood of downtime caused by contamination events.
Keep Your Operations Safe & ISO Standards Intact with a Cleanroom Air Shower System
The effectiveness of a cleanroom depends on its ability to control contamination, and cleanroom air showers are a frontline defense in achieving that goal. By removing particles before personnel and materials enter, air shower systems protect cleanroom integrity and compliance with ISO standards. With a number of configurations, construction materials, and features available, they can be tailored to meet the demands of any industry.
At Encompass Cleanrooms, we specialize in designing and building custom cleanroom solutions, including the installation of an air shower system. Contact us to start your project today.
