What are the fire prevention requirements for clean rooms?
As a cleanroom engineering provider, one of the most critical—but sometimes overlooked—aspects we address during design is fire safety. In environments where sensitive electronics, flammable solvents, or high-value production processes are involved, fire protection isn’t just a code requirement—it’s a business imperative.
From day one of a project, we prioritize fire-resistant materials throughout the cleanroom build. Our wall panels, ceiling systems, and structural components are made from non-combustible or self-extinguishing materials that meet ASTM E84 Class A fire ratings. We avoid plastics and foams that can accelerate flame spread or release toxic fumes under heat. Even the sealants and gaskets we use are selected for low smoke generation—because in a cleanroom, visibility during evacuation is just as important as stopping the fire itself.
But materials alone aren’t enough. We integrate active fire protection systems tailored to the cleanroom’s classification and use. This includes smoke detectors with early warning capabilities, heat sensors in ceiling plenums, and suppression systems such as clean agent (e.g., FM-200 or Novec 1230) that won’t damage sensitive equipment or leave residue—unlike water-based sprinklers, which can destroy wafers, PCBs, or instruments in seconds.
We also design proper emergency airflow shutdown sequences so that in the event of a fire, the HVAC system doesn’t spread smoke throughout the facility. Pressure cascades are temporarily overridden to assist with smoke control, and access doors are equipped with automatic release mechanisms to ensure safe evacuation.
One client in semiconductor packaging learned this the hard way after a minor electrical fire caused major downtime—not from the flames, but from smoke spreading through unzoned ductwork. We later retrofitted their cleanroom with fire dampers, improved material ratings, and a clean agent system that now gives them both protection and peace of mind.
At our company, we don’t treat fire safety as an afterthought. It’s built into every cleanroom we design—because protecting your people, your process, and your product starts long before an alarm ever sounds.
Suzhou Pharma Machinery Co.,Ltd.
2026/02/06
Mia
