TURNKEY CLEANROOM & LABORATORY DESIGN & INSTALLATION
FAQs
Find helpful answers to the questions we hear most often
Looking for quick answers? We’ve gathered the questions we hear most often to make it easy for you to find the information you need. Simply select a category below to browse FAQs. Still have questions? Contact us, we’re happy to help.
General FAQs
No, we will do the parts of the project that make sense from your perspective. As an example, you may have an electrician you would like to use or a painting contractor. We can coordinate with them to bring about the successful completion of your project.
Yes, PETI can manage the permitting and plan-check process as required for your project.
In most cases a separate architect is not required as PETI can manage most of the architectural requirements for the cleanroom facility. If you have requirements for other architectural services, we have architects that we partner with who can provide these services, keeping the project as a single point of contact and responsibility. We do not, however, provide architectural services for green field and new buildings.
Beginning with the assumption that you have a building and a space for the cleanroom or laboratory: A general basis of design, a general space planning layout outlining the flow of product, personnel, raw materials, and finished product storage; a list of equipment required within the cleanroom and associated utilities (power, gases, water, ventilation, drainage, dimensions & weights, etc.), and a general idea of where mechanical equipment (HVAC) and process support equipment should be placed. The more well-developed these are, the faster your project can proceed. If you don’t have this information or the staff to develop this, PETI can provide assistance.
Give us a call or send us an e-mail. We will review your requirements and discuss further details about your project. Some initial information we might request includes the following:
· Is this budgetary for planning or it has been approved for capital expenditure?
· What is the timeline for getting a quote?
· What is your desired construction timeline?
· What ISO classes do you require?
· In general, what processes will occur in the cleanroom? We can sign a non-disclosure agreement for your protection when you are ready to give more detailed information.
· Where is the project site located?
· What electrical power do you have available?
· What are the process heat loads from your equipment?
· What are your other performance requirements? E.g. Temperature or humidity requirements and tolerances, room pressure monitoring and controls, lighting levels, etc.
· What other ancillary process systems are necessary to support your project? E.g., process water (domestic, DI/RO, USP, WFI), drainage, exhaust systems, compressed air systems and process gases?
Our projects have ranged from small 100 sq ft softwall enclosures to complex projects with over 10,000 sq ft of cleanroom areas.
PETI has designed and constructed projects that meet ISO 4 through ISO 8 (see our blog post Understanding the ISO 14644 Specification for more information. The formal 14644-1:2015 specification can be found on the International Organization for Standards website.
Modular Cleanroom FAQs
Modular cleanrooms are prefabricated, reconfigurable clean environments that can be easily assembled, disassembled, expanded, and reconfigured as needed.
In most cases, yes. In our experience designing using both systems, the cost of materials, fabrication, and shipment of the modular components is greater than the cost to have drywall and metal studs delivered and erected. The other components and systems are essentially identical regardless of the wall system type.
Modular wall systems install more quickly and without the mess and construction debris of conventional stick-built (drywall & metal stud) construction, which is advantageous if you are currently in operation. Modular systems offer greater flexibility in the expanding or rearranging of walls without the messiness of conventional stick-built construction. Depending on the modular wall panel construction, the quantity of seams can vary widely. ISO 3 & 4 facilities generally like to have fewer seams as it makes cleaning easier. When a modular wall is damaged it is less likely to shed particles, but can be more difficult to repair. Additionally, modular systems can be disassembled and relocated, however, there is an additional cost to the disassembly, cleaning, labeling and freight which may reduce the benefit.
The materials and components of a stick-built system can be readily purchased and delivered to a job site. The installation process can begin when permits are close to being issued. The construction methods and materials are universally understood by all building departments, potentially speeding up the permitting process. There is not a lengthy manufacturing-delivery cycle.
Depending on the plan-check and permit issuance duration this may or may not be an advantage. Plan checkers at your city building department will probably be more familiar with metal studs and drywall than a modular wall system. They may also ask less questions shortening the plan-check process. When installed and finished, it can have seamless surfaces and inside/outside corners that are easy to clean and lack the joints and crevices that could capture and release particulates. Return air paths are easier to create and may take less materials (read: cost) than a modular system. Metal stud systems usually can accommodate various insulation “R” values, fire ratings, and structural requirements more easily than modular systems.
Dry Room/ Battery Cleanroom FAQs
A dry room is a low-humidity room where the humidity levels are controlled below where typical ambient conditions and conventional construction would allow. Low-humidity rooms utilize specially constructed envelopes that prevent infiltration of moisture, utilize special mechanical equipment and ductwork to control the moisture being introduced through the mechanical HVAC system, and remove the moisture being generated within the envelope, typically by personnel working within the space and during the manufacturing process.
Typically, a desiccant dryer will be used to remove the moisture from the supply air going to the dry room or battery room. The desiccant dryer most commonly uses a rotating wheel of desiccant material that removes moisture from the air stream by adsorption and then regenerated (moisture is removed) using heat. Other methods are condensation (using refrigeration equipment) and liquid desiccants.
When a manufacturing environment requires humidity below 40% this often considered the starting point for low humidity rooms. A dry room like a lithium battery manufacturing plant will usually target 1% Rh or lower because lithium salts are highly reactive to moisture. Pharmaceutical manufacturers often operate between 30 to 60% Rh but may require lower levels depending on the product and process. For example, many powders are hygroscopic and will cake during processing. Electronic manufacturers may need low humidity for the packaging of devices while semiconductor manufacturers will often design around 45% RH to prevent static buildup and discharge.
Softwall Cleanroom FAQs
A softwall cleanroom is a canopy-like structure that utilizes vinyl curtains suspended from the frame or from the ceiling to create the cleanroom envelope. Softwall cleanrooms are an economical, cost-effective solution for providing a cleanroom environment ranging from ISO 8 to ISO 4, but lack the flexibility and options of more expensive modular and conventionally constructed environments.
PETI will deliver within a 300 mi radius if doing the installation. If not contracted to do the installation, we will ship common carrier on smaller units and contract carrier on larger units (3rd party carriers). PETI provides crating services for systems shipped by 3rd party carriers.
If your building is sprinklered, there is a good chance the fire department will require sprinklers or a dry chemical fire suppression system. PETI provides locations in the ceiling grid for sprinklers and can provide a dry chemical fire suppression system. If PETI is doing the installation, we can provide a fire sprinkler subcontractor for a wet sprinkler fire suppression system. It is recommended to utilize concealed sprinkler heads.
No, we can do internal recirculating systems which save energy on HVAC systems. This usually consists of return air risers for ISO 7 and lower and prefiltered ceiling returns for ISO 8 cleanrooms.
Softwall cleanrooms are ideal for processes that are to be installed in air-conditioned spaces and need to be acquired and setup quickly. The curtain material has little insulating value and will usually require additional dedicated air conditioning. The air-conditioned surrounding allows the air to be recirculated as a one pass system utilizing the air-conditioned surrounding as part or all of the return path. Therefore, there is usually no need for return air walls or risers especially where there are no noxious or harmful pollutants being generated inside the clean space. One can achieve ISO 8 thru ISO 4 environments. Humidity control is an issue and it is more difficult to have a different inside relative humidity than in the surrounding space. Pressurization can be another issue when using strip doors and recirculation under the bottom of the curtain. Positive or negative flow can be demonstrated but is usually not measurable on a magnehelic gauge.
ISO Cleanroom FAQs
Yes, PETI is able to provide cleanroom certification services. We routinely certify customer cleanrooms as part of the performance of the construction contract, while other customers elect to certify in house, and others that use a third-party service.
Typically, yes as most end-users of cleanrooms want or need them certified to a specific ISO classification as required by their manufacturing processes or as required for regulatory compliance. The ISO standards are the most common here in the USA.
No, any of the above or following types of construction if properly designed can be an ISO cleanroom.
Mobile Cleanroom FAQs
Mobile cleanrooms are self-contained cleanroom facilities with self-contained HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and ancillary process systems. Available in multiple styles and configurations, mobile cleanrooms can be transported nearly anywhere in the world.
Pacific Environmental Technologies offers multiple configurations and styles for our mobile cleanroom facilities, including:
Containerized: This type of cleanroom is constructed within standard ISO shipping containers and can be expanded with multi-unit configurations. Associated electrical, HVAC, and process systems are shipped self-contained and ready for connection in an additional shipping container.
Trailer: This type of cleanroom is constructed within a tractor-trailer and is towed using a typical semi-truck tractor. Standard length is 53FT, though other sizes are available.
Motorized: This type of cleanroom is constructed within an RV-style vehicle chassis which is self-propelled using the existing engine and drivetrain. Slides and popouts allow for additional space within the cleanroom area.
Mobile cleanrooms are generally the most expensive option and provide the least amount of flexibility. The limited interior space may not be suitable for all applications, and the space is typically not expandable. However, mobile cleanrooms provide the huge benefit of being transportable and self-contained, allowing for deployment of a cleanroom facility on-demand nearly anywhere in the world.
Laboratory Cleanroom FAQs
In most cases, yes. In our experience designing using both systems, the cost of materials, fabrication, and shipment of the modular components is greater than the cost to have drywall and metal studs delivered and erected. The other components and systems are essentially identical regardless of the wall system type.
Modular wall systems install more quickly and without the mess and construction debris of conventional stick-built (drywall & metal stud) construction, which is advantageous if you are currently in operation. Modular systems offer greater flexibility in the expanding or rearranging of walls without the messiness of conventional stick-built construction. Depending on the modular wall panel construction, the quantity of seams can vary widely. ISO 3 & 4 facilities generally like to have fewer seams as it makes cleaning easier. When a modular wall is damaged it is less likely to shed particles, but can be more difficult to repair. Additionally, modular systems can be disassembled and relocated, however, there is an additional cost to the disassembly, cleaning, labeling and freight which may reduce the benefit.
Skilled Professionals &
Industry Experts for Over 35 Years
SOLUTIONS THAT WORK AND CONTINUE WORKING
PETI was borne of a problem wanting a solution: A fire destroyed a cleanroom fabrication facility and the experience started. Attention to detail, reliable solutions, managing the project, learning and solving problems and more as the new facility took shape and was commissioned.
Millions of square feet and hundreds of cleanrooms later, PETI can provide a solution to your problem, whether it’s fixing an existing cleanroom or planning for a new one. Start your journey today.
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Are you looking for someone who can provide more than just the cleanroom envelope with some HEPA filters? See what extensive capability looks like by giving us a call or sending us an email. Start your journey now!
With experience in most industries, we can help you with more than the envelope, see our capabilities page, project references, and see how we are application and results oriented, not product oriented.
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