A Class 100,000 cleanroom is considered the "dirtiest" cleanroom classification under the older FS209E standards and is equivalent to an ISO 8 cleanroom. It's designed to control airborne particles to a specific level.
Understanding Class 100,000 Cleanrooms
Key Features:
- FS209E Standard: Class 100,000 is the last and "dirtiest" class defined in the now outdated FS209E federal standard.
- ISO Equivalent: It's equivalent to an ISO 8 cleanroom under the ISO 14644-1 standard.
- Particle Control: This class controls the number of airborne particles per cubic foot, although it is less stringent than higher class cleanrooms.
Typical Applications:
- Anterooms and Gowning Areas: These cleanrooms are often used as transition areas or for gowning before entering more critical cleanrooms.
- Background Zones: Class 100,000 rooms serve as background zones for Class 10,000 cleanrooms, providing a cleaner environment than a standard room but not as clean as the higher class.
Comparison with Other Cleanroom Classes:
| Cleanroom Class (FS209E) | ISO Equivalent | Cleanliness Level | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | ISO 3 | Highest level of cleanliness | Semiconductor Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical Production |
| Class 10 | ISO 4 | Very High | Semiconductor Manufacturing, Precision Optical Devices |
| Class 100 | ISO 5 | High | Pharmaceutical filling, Medical Device Manufacturing |
| Class 1,000 | ISO 6 | Medium | Biotechnology, Food & Beverage |
| Class 10,000 | ISO 7 | Low-Medium | Packaging of Electronics, Food, Cosmetics |
| Class 100,000 | ISO 8 | Lowest cleanliness class among cleanrooms | Anterooms, Gowning Areas, Background Zones |
Practical Insights:
- Cost-Effective: Class 100,000 cleanrooms are generally less expensive to construct and maintain compared to higher class cleanrooms.
- Strategic Placement: These rooms are strategically positioned within a facility to help control contamination from less controlled areas.
- Transitional Zones: They act as crucial transitional zones to prevent the sudden ingress of contaminants into more critical areas.
In summary, a Class 100,000 cleanroom is an ISO 8 equivalent, representing the lowest classification of cleanrooms under the old FS209E standard, commonly utilized for anterooms, gowning areas, and background spaces.
