While developing a cleanroom facility, indoor air quality is of utmost importance, for product quality and human health. Air, either from outside or from recirculation, is a platform for airborne bacteria and contaminants to circulate, often which are harmful to the products or people in the cleanroom.
Cleanrooms are specially structured and controlled environments where concentrations of airborne particles must be kept at specific levels.
It takes a great amount of technology to achieve and maintain the requirements for air cleanliness as outlined in ISO 14644-1.
The HVAC system for cleanrooms allows the cleanroom to maintain airborne contaminant concentrations, while ensuring the safety of workers and the products.
Thus, it is very important to install and maintain an effective HVAC system in your cleanroom.
What is an HVAC System?
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It generally refers to indoor air comfort and quality
When talking about HVAC systems in cleanrooms, there is more to consider than comfort. The cleanroom HVAC system controls temperature and humidity to required levels of precision by the client. Furthermore, cleanroom HVAC systems provide increased air supply, airflow patterns, high efficiency filters and pressurization. Increased air supply allows for new HEPA filtered air circulating the cleanroom per hour. HVAC systems in cleanrooms require knowledge of regulations, air cleanliness guidelines, and account of activities occurring inside.
Features & Benefits of the HVAC System
HVAC Systems are very efficient in their task and provide greater advantages and features over conventional systems
Air Cleanliness
Cleanroom air cleanliness encompasses far more than conventional air control. A typical office or building contains approximately 500,000 to 1,000,000 particles per cubic foot of air. A Class 10,000 cleanroom (ISO-7) design doesn’t allow for more than 10,000 particles per cubic foot. Thus, cleanroom air quality must be monitored and maintained for maximum certification of the cleanroom environment. To achieve this in the cleanroom system, the custom designed HVAC system contains MERV8 filter in housing & HEPA filter at terminal to gain required quality of air. Furthermore, the HVAC systems are designed with humidification & dehumidification modules to maintain required humidity in the room, suitable for the application.
Increase in Air Supply
While conventional comfort air conditioning requires 2-10 air changes per hour, a typical cleanroom requires upto 20-60 air changes per hour. The cleanroom HVAC achieves this air change per hour requirement with its` larger supply & return fans to maintain maximum cleanliness and prevent the settling of particulate contamination in the cleanroom.
Energy Consumption & Environmental Benefits
Though the inceptive pricing of an HVAC system is higher than typical systems, the long-term and energy saving benefits are overall greater. Heating and cooling are done in one unit, already saving construction space, installation costs and power usage. Moreover, the 410A refrigerant is non-chlorine based, reducing ozone depleting particles in the environment.
Maintenance
In order to maintain the effectiveness and cleanliness of the HVAC system in the cleanroom, ensure it is well-maintained.
The maintenance of the HVAC system aids in increasing the efficiency of the unit and providing maximum effectiveness for the Modular cleanroom. Though HVAC systems are generally well-functioning units, it is wise to regularly check for any damage or error. Here are some ways to maintain your HVAC system and increase effectiveness:
• Get the system checked by technicians. Generally will check the unit for combustion efficiency and refrigerant charge
• Clean or replace the filters in your HVAC unit to eliminate overworking of the system.
• Inspect for leaks in the pipes and ductwork as this can be a large energy waster.
• Annually or semi-annually test and certify cleanrooms for required classification.
Though the inceptive pricing of an HVAC system is higher than typical systems, the long-term and energy saving benefits are overall greater. Heating and cooling are done in one unit, already saving construction space, installation costs and power usage. Moreover, the 410A refrigerant is non-chlorine based, reducing ozone depleting particles in the environment.