Puhtruumid

Puhtruumid are rooms designed for cleaning, decontamination, or purification within buildings such as hospitals, laboratories, manufacturing facilities, and public service spaces. The term is used in Estonian-language contexts to denote spaces where items or people undergo washing, disinfection, or preparation for handling with lower contamination risk.

Design and layout: Puhtruumid typically feature durable, easily cleanable surfaces, non-slip floors, and efficient drainage. They may include handwashing stations, soap and sanitizer dispensers, and equipment for washing or sterilizing. In facilities with multiple process zones, puhtruumid may be organized into dirty and clean areas, with controlled access and transition zones to prevent cross-contamination. Some rooms may have showers or changing areas for personnel, or pass-throughs for equipment that must be cleaned before moving to another area.

Applications: In healthcare, puhtruumid support hygiene protocols by allowing patients and staff to perform hand and body cleansing. In industry and laboratories, they facilitate cleaning of tools, equipment, and surfaces, or serve as decontamination steps for materials entering sensitive environments.

Operation and standards: The design and operation follow general hygiene and safety guidelines, including surface materials resistant to detergents and disinfectants, proper ventilation, waste handling, and maintenance schedules. Exact specifications vary by country and sector.

History: The term is used in Estonian technical vocabulary and reflects a broader concept of controlled cleanliness spaces in built environments.