Biocontamination control ISO 846
In cleanrooms, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, controlling biocontamination is essential to prevent the proliferation of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Materials used in these environments, including cleanroom flooring, must not promote the growth of any form of biocontamination.
Clean room flooring should be certified by a third-party laboratory according to ISO 846 standards. This certification evaluates bacterial and fungal growth (measured in colony-forming units, or CFUs) on the flooring surface over a 28-day period. Flooring compliant with this standard must demonstrate zero bacterial or fungal growth during the test, ensuring its suitability for controlled environments.
Particular decontamination ISO 4628-1 &-2
Approximately 70% of residual airborne particles settle on the floor after air treatment in cleanrooms. To prevent contamination risks, flooring clean room solutions must be designed for easy cleaning and effective particle removal.
To ensure compliance, the flooring’s surface should leave no residual particles after cleaning. Testing, such as the Riboflavin test conducted under ISO 4628-1 and -2 standards by third-party laboratories, verifies that the flooring's top layer can be thoroughly decontaminated. This guarantees the cleanroom floor tiles can maintain a particle-free surface, supporting optimal cleanliness and reducing biocontamination risks.
Resistance and durability
Throughout its lifespan, cleanroom flooring is subjected to various challenges, including high pedestrian or mechanical traffic, impacts, scratches, chemical exposure, and frequent cleaning with aggressive decontamination products such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). To ensure long-term performance, it is crucial to identify the specific constraints the flooring will face and select a solution designed to withstand these conditions. Cleanroom flooring must be resilient enough to maintain compliance and functionality even under rigorous use.
Watertightness
Watertight flooring is vital for maintaining a clean and controlled environment. Proper installation ensures seamless connections between rolls through hot welding and secure floor-to-wall joints using coving systems. Advanced systems, like the Watertightness Control System (WCS), allow for immediate and ongoing verification of your flooring's watertightness. These systems can detect weaknesses, such as impacts or deep cuts, that may compromise the floor’s integrity but are invisible to the naked eye. Early detection ensures timely repairs, preserving the flooring's performance over time.
Maintenance / Repairs
Flooring repairs in controlled environments, whether during operation or at rest, require efficient and minimally disruptive solutions. Unlike epoxy or polyurethane resin flooring, vinyl flooring allows for quick and easy repairs. Small damages, such as cuts or impacts, can be resolved through hot welding, and sections of flooring can be replaced without the need to shut down production. This makes vinyl an ideal choice for cleanroom environments where uninterrupted operations are a priority.
ESD properties
In cleanrooms used by industries like pharmaceuticals or electronics, installing ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) flooring is often necessary to prevent potential risks. ESD flooring mitigates the dangers of electrostatic discharge, which could harm sensitive products such as semiconductors or printed circuit boards, disrupt processes involving machinery or electronics, or endanger people by increasing the risk of fire or explosion in ATEX areas.
To address specific ESD concerns, it is crucial to select flooring that meets the appropriate ESD standard, such as IEC 61340, ANSI S20.20, or EN14041. Choosing the correct flooring ensures compliance and protection for both the environment and the equipment within it.
