Comparing ISO 7 And ISO 8 Clean Rooms: Which Is Right For You?
ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean rooms are two common classifications used in a variety of industries to maintain controlled environments for manufacturing, research, and other sensitive processes. Both types of clean rooms have specific requirements and standards that must be met to ensure a clean and controlled environment. In this article, we will compare ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean rooms to help you determine which one is right for your needs.
ISO 7 Clean Rooms
ISO 7 clean rooms are designed to maintain a high level of cleanliness and control over particulate contamination. These clean rooms are typically used in industries where a very clean environment is required, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology research, and semiconductor production. ISO 7 clean rooms must maintain a maximum of 352,000 particles per cubic meter that are 0.5 micrometers or larger in size.
In an ISO 7 clean room, the air is filtered to remove particles, and the room is designed to minimize the introduction of contaminants. The room must also meet specific requirements for air changes per hour, temperature, and humidity. ISO 7 clean rooms are typically more expensive to build and maintain compared to lower classifications due to the strict requirements for cleanliness and control.
ISO 8 Clean Rooms
ISO 8 clean rooms are one step below ISO 7 clean rooms in terms of cleanliness and control over particulate contamination. These clean rooms are commonly used in industries where a clean environment is still required, but not to the same extent as an ISO 7 clean room. ISO 8 clean rooms must maintain a maximum of 3,520,000 particles per cubic meter that are 0.5 micrometers or larger in size.
In an ISO 8 clean room, the focus is on controlling contamination levels and maintaining a clean environment, but at a lower cost compared to an ISO 7 clean room. The requirements for air changes per hour, temperature, and humidity are less stringent in an ISO 8 clean room compared to an ISO 7 clean room.
Key Differences
One of the main differences between ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean rooms is the level of cleanliness and control over particulate contamination. ISO 7 clean rooms have stricter requirements for the number of particles allowed in the air compared to ISO 8 clean rooms. This higher level of cleanliness in ISO 7 clean rooms comes with a higher cost to build and maintain the clean room compared to an ISO 8 clean room.
Another key difference is the specific requirements for air changes per hour, temperature, and humidity in ISO 7 clean rooms compared to ISO 8 clean rooms. ISO 7 clean rooms must maintain more frequent air changes per hour and tighter control over temperature and humidity levels compared to ISO 8 clean rooms.
Choosing the Right Clean Room
When deciding between an ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean room, it is important to consider your specific industry requirements and the level of cleanliness needed for your processes. If you are in an industry where a very clean environment is critical, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing or semiconductor production, an ISO 7 clean room may be the best choice to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and control over particulate contamination.
However, if you are in an industry where a less strict clean environment is required, such as research laboratories or packaging facilities, an ISO 8 clean room may be a more cost-effective option without compromising on cleanliness and control over contamination levels. It is important to carefully assess your industry requirements and budget constraints when choosing between an ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean room.
Summary
In summary, ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean rooms are two common classifications used in various industries to maintain clean and controlled environments for manufacturing, research, and other sensitive processes. ISO 7 clean rooms offer a higher level of cleanliness and control over contamination compared to ISO 8 clean rooms, but at a higher cost to build and maintain. When choosing between an ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean room, it is important to consider your specific industry requirements and budget constraints to determine which one is right for your needs. Whether you require a very clean environment or a less strict clean environment, both ISO 7 and ISO 8 clean rooms can provide the level of cleanliness and control needed for your processes.