How Do They Do an Air Shower Room?

An air shower room, or air shower, is a device used to remove particles from personnel and objects before they enter a cleanroom. It is typically located at the entrance of the cleanroom and consists of two doors: an outer door and an inner door.

The air shower room works by blowing HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered air onto personnel and objects as they stand inside the room. The HEPA filter is capable of removing 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 micrometers in size or larger, making it an effective tool for contamination control.

How Does an Air Shower Room Work?

When personnel are ready to enter the cleanroom, they first open the outer door of the air shower room and step inside. The outer door closes automatically once it detects that someone has entered.

Once inside, the air shower room begins its cycle. HEPA filtered air is blown onto the personnel from multiple nozzles located around the room. This air is blown at a high velocity, creating a laminar flow that effectively removes particles from the surface of the skin, hair, and clothing.

The cycle typically lasts for 20-40 seconds, depending on the size of the air shower room and the number of people inside. During this time, personnel should remain still to allow the air to effectively remove particles.

Once the cycle is complete, the inner door of the air shower room opens, allowing personnel to exit and enter the cleanroom. The outer door remains closed until the inner door is fully closed to prevent any contamination from entering the air shower room.

Benefits of an Air Shower Room

There are several benefits to using an air shower room in a cleanroom environment:

Contamination Control: The HEPA filtered air effectively removes particles from personnel and objects, reducing the risk of contamination in the cleanroom.

Efficiency: The air shower room allows for a quick and easy way to clean personnel before they enter the cleanroom, minimizing downtime and improving efficiency.

Cost-Effective: By reducing the risk of contamination, the air shower room can help to extend the lifespan of sensitive equipment and materials used in the cleanroom, saving money in the long run.

Compliance: In many industries, such as semiconductor manufacturing and pharmaceutical production, the use of an air shower room is required to meet regulatory standards for contamination control.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an air shower room is a crucial component of a cleanroom environment. By using HEPA filtered air to remove particles from personnel and objects, it helps to maintain a sterile and particle-free environment. The benefits of using an air shower room include contamination control, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with regulatory standards.

If you work in an industry that requires a cleanroom, incorporating an air shower room into your contamination control strategy can help to ensure the safety and quality of your products and processes.