Main Functions of HVAC in Cleanrooms

  • Temperature and Humidity Control

    • Maintains a stable temperature suitable for equipment and personnel.
    • Controls relative humidity to prevent microbial growth and reduce static electricity.

    Ventilation and Air Quality

    • Supplies fresh air and filters it through HEPA/ULPA filters.
    • Removes suspended particles, dust, microbes, and chemical contaminants.

    Positive and Negative Pressure Control

    • Positive Pressure: Clean air flows from the cleanroom to surrounding areas to prevent contamination ingress.
    • Negative Pressure: Used in biological labs or hazardous drug areas to prevent contaminants from escaping into the environment.

    Laminar and Turbulent Air Distribution

    • Laminar airflow provides unidirectional airflow in critical areas to minimize particle contamination and protect products.
    • Turbulent airflow is sufficient in less critical areas, with controlled mixing to maintain cleanliness.

HVAC System in Cleanrooms

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and plays a critical role in cleanrooms. Its primary purpose is to control temperature, humidity, pressure, air quality, and particulate flow to provide a hygienic and controlled environment for pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, and other contamination-sensitive products.

Key Design Considerations for Cleanroom HVAC

  • Multi-stage Filtration: From pre-filters to HEPA/ULPA filters to achieve the required cleanliness class.
  • Pressure Control: Differential pressure between rooms to prevent cross-contamination.
  • Air Recirculation and Flow: Proper airflow to avoid dead zones and particle accumulation.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Sensors for temperature, humidity, pressure, and particle count to maintain standard conditions.