Reinraumbereich

Reinraumbereich, also known as a cleanroom, is a controlled environment where the concentration of airborne particles is maintained at a specified level. This level is established by the number of particles per cubic meter at a specified particle size. Cleanrooms are used in industries where the presence of dust, microbes, or other airborne contaminants can negatively affect a product or process. Examples include semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, medical device assembly, and biological research.

The primary goal of a cleanroom is to prevent contamination. This is achieved through a combination of architectural design, air filtration systems, and strict operating procedures. Air is continuously filtered and recirculated to remove particles. The airflow within a cleanroom is typically unidirectional (laminar) or non-unidirectional (turbulent), depending on the application and required cleanliness level. Materials entering the cleanroom are meticulously cleaned or decontaminated. Personnel working in a cleanroom must wear specialized garments, such as gowns, hoods, masks, and gloves, to minimize the introduction of particles from their bodies.

Cleanroom standards, such as ISO 14644, classify cleanrooms into different classes based on their particle count. The higher the class number, the cleaner the room. For example, ISO Class 1 is the cleanest, with very few particles allowed, while ISO Class 9 is the least clean. Maintaining a cleanroom requires continuous monitoring of particle counts, temperature, humidity, and pressure differentials. Pressure differentials are crucial to ensure that air flows from cleaner areas to less clean areas, preventing contamination ingress.