A cleanroom is a controlled environment where the concentration of airborne particles is kept within specified limits according to the classification of the cleanroom. Contaminants are produced through the manufacture or other process performed there, and they are brought into the cleanroom by people and the equipment they use.
This is why using the appropriate equipment such as the
cleanroom notebooks from Scientific Notebook Company is so important to maintaining the environment. Since it is impossible to prevent the release or introduction of airborne particles into the room, the air system must continually remove them according to the standards required for the classification.

The classification of a cleanroom depends on a number of factors, including the type of industry in which it falls. Other questions that must be answered are what are the sources of contamination, the size of particles that need to be filtered out, and the amount of air needed in circulation to remove the contamination.
To control the contamination in the room, air flow rates, direction, temperature, pressure, humidity, and specialized filtering must all be considered in the air flow system and kept under control at all times.
The Significance of Particle Size on Classification
Different types of particles vary in size. To determine the classification, the engineer must determine if a specific size of particle, various sizes, or a specified range of particle sizes need to be filtered out. The standard classification for cleanrooms is assigned based on the number and size of airborne particles for every cubic meter of air in the room. The ISO cleanroom standards according to ISO 14644-1 are depicted in the table below.
CLASS MAXIMUM PARTICLES/M³ US FED STD EQUIV
|
≥0.1 µm
|
≥0.2 µm
|
≥0.3 µm
|
≥0.5 µm
|
≥1 µm
|
≥5 µm
|
|
ISO 1 |
10
|
2.37
|
1.02
|
0.35
|
0.083
|
0.0029
|
|
ISO 2 |
100
|
23.7
|
10.2
|
3.5
|
0.83
|
0.029
|
|
ISO 3 |
1,000
|
237
|
102
|
35
|
8.3
|
0.29
|
Class 1 |
ISO 4 |
10,000
|
2,370
|
1,020
|
352
|
83
|
2.9
|
Class 10 |
ISO 5 |
100,000
|
23,700
|
10,200
|
3,520
|
832
|
29
|
Class 100 |
ISO 6 |
1.0×106
|
237,000
|
102,000
|
35,200
|
8,320
|
293
|
Class 1,000 |
ISO 7 |
1.0×107
|
2.37×106
|
1,020,000
|
352,000
|
83.200
|
2,930
|
Class 10,000 |
ISO 8 |
1.0×108
|
2.37×107
|
1.02×107
|
3,520,000
|
832,000
|
29,300
|
Class 100,000 |
ISO 9 |
1.0×109
|
2.37×108
|
1.02×108
|
35,200,000
|
8,320,000
|
293,000
|
Room Air |
Cleanroom Criteria
A lot of standards are determined according to the cleanroom classification. The light fixture type, filter coverage percent, filter efficiency, types of wall system, flooring base and cover, and type of ceiling are determined according to the classification.
There are additional specifications that must be followed for any cleanroom in order to maintain the cleanliness of the environment. Clean room lab notebooks and other paper products, along with wipers, pencils, and other commodities must be screened. If specific cleanroom notebooks are introduced to the cleanroom, they should be removed from the wrapping inside the room and remain in the environment throughout their use.
Cosmetics may be banned from the cleanroom to prevent particles of sodium, silicon, or other particles from forming. Cleaning products and procedures should also be followed, specifically for Class 10,000 cleanrooms. Once the classification of the cleanroom is determined, the requirements should be followed to the letter to ensure optimal cleanliness and a controlled environment.
To learn more about our clean room paper products, call us at 800-537-3028 and make sure you maintain the appropriate environment in your cleanroom.