In modern manufacturing and research, the cleanliness level of a workspace directly affects product quality, safety, and compliance. As a cost-effective and flexible clean space solution, clean booths are increasingly used in laboratories, food processing, electronics manufacturing, medical industries, and more. So, what cleanliness class can a clean booth achieve, and where is it best applied? This article will give you a full explanation.
1. Overview of Clean Booth Cleanliness Levels
A clean booth (also called a softwall cleanroom) is a modular, movable, localized clean space, usually equipped with a high-efficiency filtration system (HEPA or ULPA) that effectively filters airborne particles and contaminants. The cleanliness level of a clean booth depends mainly on its filter system configuration, airflow design, and sealing quality.
Typically, a clean booth can achieve ISO Class 5–8 cleanliness standards.
Overview of ISO Cleanliness Classes
ISO Class | Allowed Particles per Cubic Meter (≥0.5μm) | Typical Applications |
ISO 5 | ≤3,520 | High-precision electronics manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, medical device manufacturing |
ISO 6 | ≤35,200 | Advanced laboratories, precision electronics assembly |
ISO 7 | ≤352,000 | General electronics manufacturing, medical laboratories, pathology specimen rooms |
ISO 8 | ≤3,520,000 | Food processing, general pharmaceutical operations, basic clean working environments |
Note: Lower ISO numbers indicate higher cleanliness levels (ISO 5 is stricter than ISO 8).
2. How Clean Booths Achieve Different Cleanliness Levels
The cleanliness level of a clean booth depends on several key factors:
(1) Filtration System Configuration
Clean booths typically use HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters or ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air) filters. The precision of the filters determines the cleanliness level: HEPA filters can achieve ISO 5–7, while ULPA filters can achieve even higher cleanliness levels.
(2) Airflow Design
Clean booths use vertical laminar flow or horizontal laminar flow systems. Vertical laminar flow booths generally achieve higher cleanliness levels and are suitable for extremely sensitive environments.
(3) Sealing Quality and Materials
The sealing of the clean booth frame, wall materials, and door design affect air leakage rates and, consequently, cleanliness levels. High sealing quality minimizes external contamination and maintains a stable clean environment.
3. Industries and Cleanliness Requirements for Clean Booths
Different cleanliness classes suit different industries and applications:
Industry | Typical ISO Class | Application Examples |
Biopharmaceutical | ISO 5–6 | Drug preparation, aseptic operations, sample processing |
Electronics Manufacturing | ISO 5–7 | Semiconductor, integrated circuit, precision component assembly |
Medical | ISO 7–8 | Operating rooms, pathology specimen rooms, clean consultation rooms |
Food Processing | ISO 7–8 | Food packaging, clean zones in production lines |
Research Labs | ISO 5–7 | Molecular biology, microelectronics experiments, chemical analysis |
4. Advantages of Clean Booths
Compared to traditional cleanrooms, clean booths have significant advantages:
Rapid Deployment: Can be installed in days to weeks, ideal for urgent projects.
High Flexibility: Modular design allows adjusting size and layout as needed.
Cost-Effective: Lower construction and maintenance costs compared to traditional cleanrooms.
Wide Range of Applications: Can meet ISO Class 5–8 cleanliness levels for different industries.
5. How to Choose the Right Cleanliness Level for a Clean Booth
When choosing the cleanliness level of a clean booth, consider:
Business Requirements: What cleanliness level does your process require?
Industry Standards: Are there regulations or industry standards that define the required cleanliness class?
Budget: Higher cleanliness levels require higher investment and maintenance costs.
Construction Timeline: Is there a time constraint for project completion?
It is recommended to consult with a professional cleanroom solution provider to determine the optimal clean booth configuration for your needs.
6. Conclusion
Clean booths are gaining popularity due to their flexibility, quick deployment, and cost-effectiveness. With proper design and configuration, clean booths can meet ISO Class 5–8 cleanliness requirements, making them suitable for applications in pharmaceuticals, medical fields, food processing, electronics manufacturing, and more.
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