Basics Your Cleanroom Cleaning Services Provider Must Know

Often glossed over when contractors talk about their cleanroom cleaning services is the level of experience they have providing cleanroom maintenance and cleaning services and for what classes of cleanrooms (see below). For example, aviation or aerospace defense cleanrooms call for a different level of cleanliness than life science or microchip manufacturing cleanrooms. The level of sanitation required will often dictate the cleanroom cleaning products that can be used and even the cleanroom cleaners allowed to work in the room. For instance, highly classified aerospace defense or pharmaceutical cleanrooms may call for cleaning technicians to have security clearance.

While experience may vary, there are certain tell-tale signs that a cleanroom cleaning services provider lacks any cleanroom experience. However, before we look at these signs, let’s define what a cleanroom is and how they are classified.

Cleanroom Defined

The most basic definition of a cleanroom is an environment specifically engineered to minimize surface and airborne pollutants that might interfere with the manufacturing process. In addition to contamination levels and airflow, temperature, humidity, and pressure are usually regulated.

Cleanroom Classes

ISO 14644-1 is the main cleanroom classification system used in the United States. The system rates cleanrooms on a scale from one to 9, with Class 1 allowing the least contaminants. Class 9 allows the highest level of contaminants but is still far more sanitary than other indoor environments. For reference, an aerospace cleanroom is most often a Class 7 or Class 8. A life science or nanotechnology cleanroom is likely to be a Class 1.

Strictly Prohibited

Regardless of the class, certain actions are strictly prohibited in all classes of cleanrooms. Cleanroom cleaners should never:

• Bring any personal items into the cleanroom, including wallets, cell phones, keys, etc.
• Wear watches, jewelry, or other decorative items or any cosmetics
• Engage in any horseplay
• Lean on surfaces or equipment
• Permit unauthorized personnel to enter the room
• Touch anything other than the surface or object being worked on, including scratching your face, touching your hair, etc.
• Eat or drink anything, including gum, candy, or mints
• Enter without required cleanroom attire, including hair cover and safety glasses (which must also be worn over eyeglasses)
• Remove safety glasses for any reason other than looking through a microscope
• Be present if they have any skin irritations, open sores, or respiratory issues.

If you notice any of the above occurring in a cleanroom, talk to the management of your cleanroom cleaning services provider immediately. If the behavior is repeated or management seems unaware that the action is an infraction of proper cleanroom protocol, look for a provider with true cleanroom cleaning expertise.

Cleanroom Cleaning Services in California

Are you looking for a cleanroom cleaning services provider with experience in LA County, Orange County, Ventura County, Antelope Valley, Riverside, San Bernardino, or a surrounding location? Find out more about Servicon’s more than 40 years of cleanroom cleaning experience, or contact us today at 310-204-5040.