Frequently Asked Questions

A cleanroom is a regulated space that is designed to control and filter out contaminants like dust, airborne microbes, and aerosol particles, providing the cleanest possible area. It controls variables like temperature, air flow, and humidity; and works by removing contaminants from outside ambient air. Outside air is first circulated to a filter system (typically HEPA or ULPA), and the filters then decontaminate the outside air according to their specifications. Additionally, airborne contaminants are directed outside the room by air grills, or the contaminated air is recirculated back into the filters. Cleanrooms are necessary for industries such electronics, pharmaceuticals, biotech, life science, optics, aerospace, automotive, military, and medical among others where small particles can affect the manufacturing and quality of a product or assembly.

With more than forty years of experience, Cleanrooms International provides high-quality modular cleanroom solutions backed by experienced engineering, responsive project management, and dependable customer support. From concept to completion, our team is committed to delivering cleanroom environments that meet your operational, regulatory and performance requirements.

Yes. Cleanroms International can provide turnkey cleanroom solutions including design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, project management, HVAC, electrical, fire protection and cleanroom certification.

To prepare an accurate proposal, we recommend providing desired room dimensions, ISO classification, facility location, ceiling height, process being performed within the cleanroom, utility requirements, door and window preferences, HVAC information, and desired project timeline.

Yes. One of the primary advantages of modular cleanroom system is flexibility. Many cleanrooms can be expanded, modified, or relocated as production needs change. This allows companies to adapt without investing in permanent construction.

The required cleanroom classification depends on your process, industry standards, and product sensitivity. Most projects range between ISO 5 and ISO 8 classifications. Our team can help determine the appropriate classification based on your application and compliance requirements.

Hardwall cleanrooms use rigid panel systems and provide greater durability, security, and environmental control. Softwall cleanrooms utilize vinyl curtains and are often a more economical solution for applications with less stringent requirements. The best choice depends on your cleanliness requirements, budget, and future expansion plans.

A once through design is also known as single pass. Ambient air is drawn into the SAM Fan Filter Units at ceiling level. The filtered air passes into the cleanroom and is transferred out of the room through grilles at the bottom of the walls.

A recirculating design cleanroom is ideal when temperature or humidity control is required. Conditioned air inside the plenum space, which is a cap on the top of the room, is drawn into the SAM Fan Filter Units and the filtered air then passes into the cleanroom. Air from the cleanroom is forced into the return air grilles located in the lower wall sections and is recirculated up the return air chases within the walls to the plenum. Air is mixed with make-up air inside the plenum and drawn through the SAM units again.

Nominal four feet by four feet tempered glass, double glazed, flush mounted in anodized aluminum frame, but the windows can be tailored to any size to fit the customer’s application.

Generally no. However, there is a restriction on the loading that can be applied to the wall system. The loading typically comes down through the ceiling system and/or a plenum deck. Typically, an unsupported height will be about twelve feet overall. Depending on the room layout, we can add steel inside the posts to pick up some of that loading. Alternatively, we can work with our steel supplier to provide a steel frame to transfer the ceiling/plenum loading around the walls, thereby allowing the walls to be taller than twelve feet.

If the ceiling load can be picked up by the host building, then no. However, if the cleanroom needs to be self-supported, then the maximum distance would be twenty feet before an internal room post is needed. Cleanrooms International does work with a local steel supplier so we can provide much larger spans and posts to increase the distance if needed.

Cleanrooms International typically provides submittal drawings in PDF form when required. If a DWG format is needed, Cleanrooms International can often accommodate the request depending on the nature of the drawing. Cleanrooms International also has many drawings for the fan filter units in .STP format.

Yes. We provide an option for access to the motor on our GS models. Please check out our RSRM options here: SAM® RSRM - CRI.

Yes. All the fan filter units manufactured by Cleanrooms International will accept a duct collar if required. However, the Cleanrooms International ECM platform needs to be factory programmed for a ducted condition. Also, the Cleanrooms International fan filter units will operate best when the inlet static pressure is at 0.0" water column. This is true for all Cleanrooms International fan filter units.

Our HEPA filters are cleanroom grade and remove 99.99% of particles up to 0.3 micron. That means that there is an exceedingly small percentage of particles +/- 0.3 micron that pass through the filters. A ULPA filter has a higher rating, 99.9995% at MPPS (minimum penetrating particle size).

HEPA: A High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter that meets specific regulations for interception, impaction, and diffusion of airborne particulates.

ULPA: Commonly used acronym for an Ultra Low Particulate Air filter which has an efficiency rating of 99.9995% on 0.12 micron particles.

Non-Ceiling Replaceable. The least expensive option amongst fan filter units. The filter is not replaceable from the room side.

Self-contained Air Supply Module. The Cleanrooms International acronym for our SAM fan filter unit. Another name for a FFU (Fan Filter Unit).

FFU – Fan Filter Unit.

Prefilter Frame – Sheet metal frame that holds the prefilter, encloses switches, speed controls, capacitor, and wiring.

Plenum – Sheet metal hood or cover to the filter housing or filter that holds the higher pressure.

Filter Housing – Sheet metal frame that holds the gel seal HEPA or ULPA filter.

Cleanrooms International has three motor platforms: Variable Speed, 3-Speed, and ECM. The Variable Speed and the ECM can be ordered in 120V, 208–230V, and 277V. The 3-Speed is only available in 120V or 277V. All the Cleanrooms International motors are single phase.

That depends on when the filter stops allowing the proper amount of airflow through it. This will be impacted by the cleanliness of the operating environment. Take an initial reading when the FFU is installed and, when the initial pressure drop doubles, it's time for a new filter.

For the 120V and 277V variable speed units, black is hot, blue is neutral, and yellow with the green stripe is the ground.

For 208–230V variable speed units, black is L1 (hot), blue is L2 (hot), and yellow with the green stripe is ground.

Consult your local municipal or state building codes regarding supporting the fan filter units in the ceiling.

The project number is found on the detail number tag located on the pre-filter frame near the on/off switch, if applicable.

Yes. Cleanrooms International offers both Quick Ship (QS) and custom design SWCR options. Cleanrooms International has multiple options in stock for the QS option in standard lengths and widths that can be shipped in a week or two. All QS SWCR rooms have an interior height of eight feet. If a more custom room is required, Cleanrooms International also offers its custom SWCR line. The custom design line offers various levels of design and complexity that are typically not available with the QS SWCR.

An email will be sent to all email addresses listed on your Order Acknowledgement when your order is picked up. If you did not receive one, double-check the email addresses provided on your purchase order.

Use the carrier's website and enter the tracking number provided in your shipping confirmation email.

Shipping confirmations are sent on the day the order ships, with invoices following on the next business day.

If an order arrives damaged, please have the carrier note all damage before the driver leaves your location. Record and send photos of the damage to cs@cleanroomsint.com.

Depending on your distance from our warehouse, LTL carriers experience small delays on a regular basis. Contact your sales representative or cs@cleanroomsint.com if you have questions about your order status.

Yes. All shipments can be rerouted. This may result in additional fees, but we can ensure your order arrives at the requested address. To minimize potential additional fees, double-check all destination addresses before confirming your order acknowledgement.

Yes. We combat supply and demand uncertainties daily. With the dynamic and highly customizable nature of our products, it is not possible to keep unlimited inventory in the pipeline.

We are fortunate to have strong partners in sheet metal, filters, and motors. These relationships help keep our lead times and costs competitive. We strive to source our resources as close to home as possible, helping reduce lead times, lower transit costs, and ensure quick problem resolution. Our sheet metal fabricators are among the best in the industry and have extensive knowledge of cleanroom construction requirements. By fostering these relationships, we can accommodate dynamic customer schedules with minimal supply interruptions.

Our supply chain team works closely with our sales and manufacturing teams to mitigate disruptions and prepare for larger-scale projects. In the event of a supply disruption, we can often offer alternate solutions as well as expedited options when available.

Yes. The levelers simply unscrew from the bottom of the legs, and the casters screw into their place. Be aware that the casters are approximately 2 inches taller than the levelers.

Generally, yes. When anti-static or ESD is requested, Cleanrooms International will offer an alternative to standard acrylic. If the benchtop also needs to be made from a dissipative material, we recommend using a stainless-steel work surface and connecting a grounding screw to an external grounded point to help dissipate any residual static.

Cleanrooms International can provide supporting angle gussets for both standard and custom pass-through cabinets. Depending on the wall system at the installation site and the cabinet's location within the wall (centered or offset), the gussets may or may not be required.