Airtight integrity in clean rooms are key to ensuring the efficient operation of the ventilation systems and maintaining the correct pressures. This integrity is often compromised at the entry points. Doors and Cleanrooms must be checked for air leaks regularly to comply with regulatory standards and more frequently for peace of mind.
Testing Cleanroom Airtight Integrity
Coltraco Ultrasonics were invited to test the Portascanner® AIRTIGHT at a cleanroom in a UK Laboratory. The testing focussed on two main areas of the cleanroom which were of particular concern;
- The inner-entrance door
- A subsection of the cleanroom used for moving equipment in and out of the cleanroom without compromising the integrity.
These are both very important areas to test as they are key access areas. As with most forms of engineering, it is usually the moving parts which wear out first, and the leak sites will tend to manifest themselves around the doors and windows, which are opened and closed.
The Portascanner® AIRTIGHT found substantial leakage around the latch on the secondary entrance door to the cleanroom, as well as across the top and right-hand side of the door to the equipment room.
Some minor leaks were also detected in the equipment hatch, including in the wall panel into which the hatch is built. This latter leak site was notable, as upon closer inspection, there was a small amount of visible damage to the taping on the panel at the leak site.
If a small but significant amount of airflow is concentrated in one area, this can cause a problem in the maintenance of a cleanroom environment. Therefore to maintain a cleanroom environment, it is crucial to locate and measure the physical size of leaks and to have some idea of the potential air flow rates and air permeability that result. In extreme cases, a leak could endanger regulatory compliance so the extent of the leak is vital information.
The Department Manager of the cleanroom stated:
“As we are only end users for the cleanroom, we would find the report very useful when recommissioning the cleanroom and would definitely share the information with any future contractors working in that area.”
“I think that the equipment you have used is quick, clean and causes minimal (if any) disruption. I think that given the level of accuracy it can provide coupled with images of the leak locations it is a very useful piece of equipment for anyone wanting to gather more information on the integrity of their facility and a cost-effective tool for any contractor.”
Portascanner® AIRTIGHT
The Portascanner® AIRTIGHT is an ultrasonic room integrity testing tool. This world-first instrument is equipment is non-invasive, highly accurate, and fast. It is able to:
- Non-disruptively identify leak sites with a microscopic level of accuracy,
- Measure and quantify their cross-sectional area,
- Determine the air flow rate through each leak under any range of conditions,
- Calculate the room’s overall air permeability,
- Store photographic and quantitative data to generate traceable, exportable reports.
The Portascanner® AIRTIGHT is an intelligent, accurate and prognostic tool to keep cleanrooms airtight, capable of detecting leaks as small as 0.06mm in diameter and quantifying leaks as small as 0.5mm in diameter.
Airtightness is NOT a constant. It is a variable, changing over time as a result of thermal stress and other factors. As a result, a method of detection that can be used at all stages of a cleanrooms lifecycle from construction to use is vital. By adopting this innovative technology you will be ensuring the continual airtight integrity of your facility in accordance with regulations.
For comprehensive insights on air tightness tests, speak to our team at Coltraco.
