Industrial Clean Rooms: Architectural Engineering Considerations

Abstract

Industry has demonstrated the essential role of “controlled environments” in meeting stringent cleanliness requirements and indoor environmental conditions for production and product storage. This paper reports on the fundamentals of industry-based clean-room layout design and delineates major architectural and structural concerns related to clean rooms. Several industries are highlighted with aspects of each industrial use explored in relation to the diverse requirements of a range of potential users. The resulting array of clean-room performance requirements is then reduced to key concepts that range from preventing particle entry to prohibiting particulate generation at the source. Since air is the most important element of consideration in establishing contamination control measures in clean-room environments, considerable attention is given to the concept of laminar airflow and the different ways this concept can be integrated. Comparisons of various layouts, such as, tunnel, open bay, and minienvironment are performed. Structural and lighting parameters of concern are also highlighted. Finally, proper construction and finishing materials for clean-room boundary surfaces are identified by desired performance qualities with example materials listed.