What is cleanroom?
A cleanroom is a specially designed controlled environment where the amount of airborne particles-like dust, microbes and chemical vapors- is kept extremely low. It is used in industries where even tiny contamination can affect product quality or safety.
Cleanroom Classification
In semicon facilities, cleanrooms are often described using the older Class 1k to Class 100k system based on FED-STD-209E, with equivalents in ISO 14644-1.
What “Class 1k” means
Allows up to 1,000 particles (≥0.5 microns) per cubic foot of air, and Equivalent to ISO Class 6 under ISO 14644-1 cleanroom classification
Key Features of Class 1k
- Particle Control
- HEPA filtration systems (removes 99.97% of particles ≥0.3 microns)
- HEPA filtration systems (removes 99.97% of particles ≥0.3 microns)
- Controlled Environment
- Regulates temperature, humidity, air pressure, and airflow
- Regulates temperature, humidity, air pressure, and airflow
- Contamination Prevention
- Positive air pressure
- Positive air pressure
- Specialized Protocol
- Requires proper garments, behaviour, and procedures to maintain cleanliness
- Requires proper garments, behaviour, and procedures to maintain cleanliness
Common uses of Cleanroom
- Semiconductors and electronics- manufacturing microchips
- Hospitals and laboratories- sterile procedures and research
- Pharmaceuticals-making medicines and vaccines
