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Cleanroom design

Designing a cleanroom involves careful consideration of various factors to ensure that it meets the specific cleanliness standards required for its intended application, whether in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, or other sensitive environments.

Cleanroom design is a complex process that requires careful planning and consideration of various factors:

  • Design Basis

  • Cleanroom standards

  • Layout of functional areas

  • Air purification system

  • Walls, ceilings and floors

  • Lighting and electrical

Design basis

  • GMP requirements

  • Product flows

  • Personnel flows

  • Process heat load

  • Exhaust requirements

  • T/RH requirements


Clean room grade table


Comparison table of ISO grade standards and ventilation times

ISO ClassACH(AIRCHANGE PER HOUR)
ISO 3360-540
ISO 4300-540
ISO 5240-480
ISO 650-60
ISO 730-40
ISO 815-25


Functional Area Layout

  • Raw material area

  • Cleaning area

  • Processing area

  • Packing area

  • Finished product storage area

  • Personnel flow

  • Unidirectional flow

  • Changing area

  • Air shower

  • Hand washing room

  • Air curtain machine

  • Insect and rodent prevention facilities

  • Waste treatment area

Pharmaceutical clean room CAD plan.jpeg

Food clean factory CAD plan.jpeg

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Pharmaceutical

Foods

Electronic


Clean Room Airflow Design

The airflow pattern in a cleanroom is engineered to direct air in a manner that removes airborne contaminants and prevents them from settling on surfaces. Cleanrooms typically use one of the following airflow patterns:

Unidirectional (Laminar) Flow

In unidirectional flow, air moves in a single direction (usually vertically or horizontally) at a constant velocity, ensuring that contaminants are continuously swept away from cleanroom surfaces. This type of airflow is commonly used in the highest-class cleanrooms (e.g., Class 1 to Class 5,hardwall cleanroom), where precise contamination control is necessary.

Non-Unidirectional (Turbulent) Flow

In turbulent flow, air moves in random directions, typically in a more dispersed and less controlled manner. This airflow pattern is less common but can be used in lower-class cleanrooms (e.g., Class 6 to Class 9) where strict particle control is less critical. The air is typically recirculated within the room and mixed to dilute contaminant levels.

Air Changes per Hour (ACH)

Air changes per hour (ACH) is a measure of how many times the total volume of air in a cleanroom is replaced in one hour. Cleanroom design specifications require specific ACH values depending on the room’s classification:

High-class cleanrooms (e.g., Class 1) require greater ACH rates (often 300-600 ACH).

Lower-class cleanrooms (e.g., Class 7) typically have lower ACH rates (e.g., 20-40 ACH).

The higher the ACH, the greater the volume of air is exchanged, which improves contamination control but may increase energy consumption.


Cleanroom-Systems-air-flow-gif-copyright-2021-resized-1.gif

Clean room outdoor circulation system diagram

Clean room system diagram

Air circulation system

Air flow external circulation system

HVAC 3-stage filtration system


Clean Room Wall Panel

  • Size and appearance

    Ensure that the size and shape of clean room engineering products meet the design requirements and have no obvious defects.

  • Physical properties

    Such as compression, tension, impact resistance and other tests to ensure the strength and durability of the material.

  • Surface treatment

    Confirm that the surface is smooth, the coating is uniform, and there are no bubbles, peeling, etc.

  • Test report

    Fire and corrosion resistance test

cleanroom panel

MGO Rock Wool Panel

Handmade rock wool panel

Cleanroom PanelMGO Rock Wool PanelHandmade rock wool panel


Clean Room Doors And Windows 

cleanroom doors

iso class 8 clean room

Steel standard:

Select high-quality steel that meets national and international standards to ensure its corrosion resistance and strength.

Surface treatment:

The surface of the door body should be treated with anti-rust treatment (such as spraying, anodizing, etc.) to ensure durability and easy cleaning.

Insulation material:

The door core material should have good heat insulation and sound insulation properties, and insulating materials such as polyurethane or rock wool are usually used.

Production process:

Production is carried out strictly in accordance with standardized processes, including cutting, forming, welding and painting

Steel standard:

Select high-quality steel that meets national and international standards to ensure its corrosion resistance and strength.

Surface treatment:

The surface of the door body should be treated with anti-rust treatment (such as spraying, anodizing, etc.) to ensure durability and easy cleaning.

Insulation material:

The door core material should have good heat insulation and sound insulation properties, usually using insulating materials such as polyurethane or rock wool.

Production process:

Strictly follow the standardized process for production, including cutting, forming, welding and painting, to ensure stable quality in each link.


Clean Room Floor 

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ESD Antistatic PVC Vinyl CleanroomFloor Mat Waterproof Vinyl Roll Flooring.jpg

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  • Flexibility: PVC flooring adhesive has good flexibility and impact resistance
  • Anti-slip: There is an anti-slip surface treatment to ensure the safety of personnel while working.

  • Easy to install: Usually provided in roll or tile form, installation is simple and quick.

  • Diversity: A variety of colors and textures are available for easy visual zoning and aesthetics.

son-tu-san-phang.jpg

resincoat-self-levelling-compound2.jpeg

resincoat-self-levelling-compound.jpg

  • Seamless: Avoids accumulation of dust and bacteria at seams
  • Chemical resistance: Able to withstand a wide range of chemicals and cleaning agents

  • Easy to clean: Smooth surface makes cleaning and maintenance relatively easy.


Electrical system design

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Clean room socket circuit diagram

Clean room lighting circuit diagram

  • Partition management

  • Network topology

  • Monitoring system

  • Access control system

  • Scalability

  • Cleanroom-compliant

  • Dust-free, easy to clean

  • LED lighting

  • Fluorescent light

  • Evenly distributed

FAQ

What is Cleanroom Design?

Cleanroom design refers to the process of creating controlled environments that minimize contamination from airborne particles, chemical vapors, and other pollutants. These environments are critical in industries where even minor contamination can impact product quality and safety.

Design a cleanroom

Key Industry Applications

  • Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
  • Semiconductor Manufacturing
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Food Production
  • Microprocessor Fabrication

"Even tiny particles can damage sensitive microelectronic components during production."

Cleanroom Design Fundamentals

Design Requirements

  1. ISO Standards: Classified per ISO 14644-1, specifying maximum airborne particulate contamination levels (e.g., ISO Class 5, ISO Class 7).
  2. Air Filtration: HEPA/ULPA filters to control airborne particles.
  3. Environmental Control: Temperature, humidity, and airflow management.
  4. Surface Materials: Smooth, non-porous, easy-to-clean surfaces (stainless steel, epoxy-coated steel).
  5. Personnel Protocols: Strict gowning, hygiene, and movement procedures.

Four Basic Components

Air Filtration System

HEPA/ULPA filters for particle removal.

Environmental Control

Temperature, humidity, and airflow regulation.

Room Construction

Smooth, non-shedding surfaces and materials.

Personnel Flow

Gowning protocols and movement controls.

Cleanroom Classifications

ISO ClassFDA ClassApplication
ISO Class 5Class 100Sterile drug products, semiconductor manufacturing
ISO Class 7Class 10,000Non-sterile pharmaceuticals, medical devices
ISO Class 8Class 100,000General manufacturing, food production

GMP Guidelines

  • Maintain air cleanliness and environmental factors
  • Proper equipment calibration and maintenance
  • Strict personnel gowning and hygiene protocols
  • Thorough cleaning and contamination control measures
  • Ensure product safety and consistency

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines are a set of regulations that ensure products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. They cover all aspects of production, from raw materials to the final quality control tests.

Industry-Specific Cleanrooms

Semiconductor Manufacturing

A highly controlled environment designed to minimize airborne particles and contaminants, as even tiny particles can damage sensitive microelectronic components during production. Strict control of air quality, temperature, humidity, and particle levels is essential to prevent defects in microchip circuits.

Semiconductor Manufacturing cleanroom

Pharmaceutical Industry

A controlled environment where contamination is minimized during the manufacturing of drugs, sterile products, and medical devices. Compliance with GMP and regulatory standards is critical to ensure product safety and quality for pharmaceutical applications.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Key Takeaways

  • Cleanroom design is essential for industries where contamination can impact product quality and safety.
  • ISO 14644-1 and GMP guidelines form the foundation of cleanroom design and operation.
  • Key components include air filtration, environmental control, room construction, and personnel management.
  • Industry-specific requirements vary, from semiconductor manufacturing to pharmaceutical production.

Cleanroom Design Guide © 2025

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