ISO 8 Softwall Cleanroom Solutions

Cleanrooms are the lifeblood of industries like pharmacy, electronics, and research laboratories. They are constructed to ensure that dust, airborne particles and other pollutants are kept away from sensitive workplaces. Among the various types of cleanrooms available today, softwall cleanrooms are the most popular and widely used.

What is an ISO 8 Cleanroom?

The ISO 8 cleanroom is a specialized room where the air is kept very clean. Cleanrooms are classified under a standard system known as ISO 14644-1. This system categorizes the cleanliness of rooms as ISO 1 (the cleanest) to ISO 9 (the least clean).

In an ISO 8 cleanroom:

● The air may accommodate up to 3,520,000 minute particles per cubic meter. These are so minute that you cannot even see them with your eyes.

● Such cleanliness is good enough when it comes to packing medicines, making medical devices, or dealing with electronics.

Cleanrooms like ISO 5 or ISO 6 are much cleaner and are used for more sensitive work, like making sterile medicines. ISO 8 is not the cleanest cleanroom type, but it is clean enough for many important industrial and research projects. ISO 8 cleanrooms are suitable when:

● Products are not highly sensitive to small particles.

● Tasks involve packaging, assembly or testing. 

● Regulations do not mandate strict ISO levels.

What is a Softwall Cleanroom?

A softwall cleanroom is a cleanroom that uses flexible curtains, rather than solid walls. These curtains are generally made of transparent plastic or vinyl and are mounted on a frame.

Softwall cleanrooms are lightweight and can be easily moved or alternatively changed. This makes them highly favorable to various industries that need to have a clean environment without constructing a permanent room.

Key Features of Softwall Cleanrooms

● Flexible and Portable: Can be moved or reconfigured easily.

● Cost-Effective: Cheaper than traditional hardwall cleanrooms.

● Quick Installation: Can be installed in days rather than months.

Softwall cleanrooms are highly favored in pharmaceuticals and electronics as well as in research laboratories, due to their easy-to-install structure and capability to retain clean air.

Why Choose an ISO 8 Softwall Cleanroom?

ISO 8 softwall cleanrooms offer a combination of the iso 8 cleanroom standards and the flexibility of softwall construction. They are widely used as pharmaceutical cleanrooms and laboratories, as well as light manufacturing facilities. Here is why choosing an ISO 8 softball cleanroom is a wise decision:

1. Cost Savings

Softwall cleanrooms are considerably less expensive than permanent hardwall rooms, typically 30-50% less expensive. This makes them a good option for small and medium businesses.

2. Easy Expansion

As a business grows, the production needs may increase. Softwall cleanrooms make it easy to expand quickly by adding new sections without requiring major construction.

3. Versatility

The ISO 8 softwall cleanrooms can be fitted in warehouses, laboratories or even offices. They are modular and can be used in a variety of industries, including drug packaging and electronics assembly.

4. Compliance with Standards

These cleanrooms are economical but they comply with the ISO 14644-1 air cleanliness requirements. Most of them also comply with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), particularly in the pharmaceutical sector.

Applications of ISO 8 Softwall Cleanrooms

ISO 8 softwall cleanrooms are used in many industries looking for moderate cleanliness requirements. Here are some common uses:

1. Pharmaceutical Cleanrooms

In the pharmaceutical industry, packaging and some drug preparation can be done in ISO 8 cleanrooms. While very sensitive jobs, such as sterilizing drugs, require more stringent ISO 5 or 6 rooms, but ISO 8 is sufficient for packaging and handling tasks.

2. Medical Device Manufacturing

ISO 8 cleanrooms are useful in packing and production of medical equipment like syringes, catheters and surgical equipment. To preserve the safety of the products, they keep the dust and particles away.

3. Electronics Assembly

Some electronics, like sensors and LED components, are dust sensitive. ISO 8 softwall cleanrooms offer good levels of cleanliness without overengineering.

4. Research and Development

ISO 8 softwall cleanrooms are frequently used in universities, laboratories, and research centers to execute experiments or small-scale projects that do not require ultra-clean environments.

Design Considerations for ISO 8 Softwall Cleanrooms

When building a softwall cleanroom, it is better to consider some points to make sure that the area is clean and safe.

1. Air Filtration

Softwall cleanrooms contain HEPA filters to clean the air. These filters eliminate 99.97% of minute particles that are 0.3 microns and larger.

2. Airflow

Cleanroom air is usually moved in one direction only, called vertical laminar airflow. This implies that the clean air flows downward and will push away particles from surfaces and workers. This assists in making the environment safer and cleaner.

3. Entry and Exit

● Softwall cleanrooms usually have a curtain flap or a small airlock to reduce the chances of contamination as people enter and exit the cleanroom. It is recommended that workers wear special clothes and wear gowns, gloves, and hair covers.

4. Temperature and Humidity Control

The ISO 8 cleanrooms do not follow strict temperature and humidity parameters; however, in some industries, the temperature and humidity are separately maintained to control the quality of the products.

Advantages of Softwall vs Hardwall Cleanrooms

Softwall and hardwall cleanrooms both keep the air clean, but they have distinct benefits.

For many industries, softwall cleanrooms are the right balance between cost and functionality. Softwall cleanrooms are perfect when businesses require clean air but don't want a permanent room. They are quick to install and easy to adjust.

Conclusion

ISO 8 softwall cleanrooms are a smart and affordable option for many businesses. They supply clean air to carry out the pharmaceutical packaging, medical equipment assembly, electronic work and research activities.

These cleanrooms are versatile, simple to install and maintain, which makes them perfect in companies that require a controlled environment but do not want to construct permanent walls.

At Sz Pharma, we provide ISO 5-8 cleanrooms to meet international standards and help businesses stay productive, safe and compliant. We provide a consistent solution for keeping products and work areas clean while saving your time and money.