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DEFINITIONS:

Air Showers - Chambers located between the clean room and an outside environment that remove particulate contamination from cleanroom garments as personnel pass through. The chambers may include HEPA filters, interlocking doors, a recirculating air system, and air nozzles in various patterns through which filtered air is blown onto the personnel in the shower. The air is moved over the worker, removing particulate contamination from the worker's garments.

Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Classes - The Statistically allowable number of particles per cubic foot of air according to federal standard 209E.

Ceiling Grid Systems - Frameworks of parallel and perpendicular bars used to house filters and light fixtures in cleanroom ceilings. The grids may include a gel or other type of sealant for providing an airtight seal around the filters.

Cleanroom - A room in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled to specified limits. (Federal Standard 209E)

Federal Standard 209E - The document that establishes standard classes of air cleanliness for airborne particulate levels in cleanrooms and clean zones. it prescribes methods for class verification and monitoring of air verification and monitoring air cleanliness. It also addresses certain other factors, but only as the affect control of airborne particulate contamination.

Filter Module s - Units that house a HEPA or ULPA filter. The units are mounted into cleanroom ceilings, walls or benches and provide filtered airflow.

Flooring - Various types of flooring are used in cleanrooms, depending upon cleanliness levels. Contamination control flooring may have a tacky finish to trap dust and other debris from wheels and shoes. Access flooring consists of solid or perforated panels or raised pedestals. Air can flow through perforated panels and can be exhausted in a sub floor area. Vinyl flooring features sealed seams to prevent accumulation of contamination. Static Dissipative flooring prevents static buildup and electrostatic discharge.

HEPA Filters - High efficiency particulate air filters are replaceable extended-media dry-type filters in a rigid frame having a minimum particle collective efficiency of 99.97 percent for a 0.3 micron particle, and a maximum clean filter pressure drop of 2.54 cm (1") water gauge when tested at rated airflow capacity.

Laminar Flow - Airflow in which essentially the entire body of air within a confined area moves with uniform velocity and direction as the ambient atmosphere being sampled.

Lighting - Room lighting is supplied by ceiling mounted modules, often incorporated into ceiling HEPA filter modules. Work area lighting may be supplied by illuminators (concentrated light sources that are placed next to the work area which can be adjusted to focus light on a desired area. Fixtures are sealed to prevent contamination.

Particle - A solid or liquid object, generally between .001 micron and 1000 microns in size.

Particulate - A substance that consists of particles (minute quantities of solid or liquid matter).

Pass-Through or Pass-Thru - Openings in walls with two doors through which materials and objects are passed. Pass-Through doors interlock so that one door always is closed while the other is open.

Pre-filters - Replaceable filters installed before a final filter to remove gross contaminants and protect the final filter from environmental conditions. The pre-filters have a lower efficiency than the one they protect.

Sealants - Used to seal HEPA filters into ceiling grid systems. Plastic, silicone and gel sealants are commonly used.

Testing/Certification Services - Independent, contract services for the testing and certification of HEPA filters, laminar flow equipment, safety cabinets and HVAC systems. Certification and testing of HEPA filters includes leak testing, scanning, electrical testing, particle count surveys, sound level measurement, vibration measurement, temperature and humidity measurement, airflow balancing, gas system testing, light level measurement and room pressurization. Product qualification testing and environmental analysis/testing also are available.

Turnkey - A method of construction, design, installation, etc. Assumes total responsibility from design through completion of the project.

ULPA Filter - Ultra low penetration air filters are extended media dry filters in a rigid frame that have a minimum particle collection efficiency of 99.999 percent for particles greater than or equal to .12 micron in size.

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