How ISO Classifications Affect Acquisitions
The International Standards Organization, or ISO, has created a classification system specifically to describe the number of particulates, pollutants, and HEPA air filtering acceptable in cleanrooms. These specifications are important to understand when ordering supplies for your cleanroom. That’s why at Medco Supplies we can help our customers find the right cleanroom supplies and the careful packaging for their classification.
ISO Classifications At-a-Glance
There are 9 levels of cleanroom classifications designated by the ISO. The least amount of particulate contamination would be ISO 1 and the greatest amount of particulates accepted would be ISO 9. ISO 9 is considered normal room air while the cleanest cleanroom of ISO 1 has a rigidly controlled environment.
ISO 1 allows a maximum of 10 particulates per cubic meter. These particulates can be no larger than 0.1 microns. These cleanrooms are often semiconductor manufacturers, microchip producers, or nanotechnology facilities.
To compare, ISO 5 allows a maximum of 100,000 particles of 0.1 microns per cubic meter. These cleanrooms are often pharmaceutical, medical device, or electronic applications.
ISO 9 allows a maximum of 352,000,000 particles of 0.5 microns per cubic meter. These cleanrooms are for general manufacturing or industrial settings where the room needs to be cleaner than a normal room but not strictly sterile.
HEPA Filters
Cleanrooms achieve air cleanliness through a careful process of air filtration. HEPA filters use principles such as laminar flow to reach stringent industry standards dictating the number of air exchanges a cleanroom achieves in an hour. A licensed HVAC expert is required to meet the air quality standards of the ISO classification.
Get cleanroom supplies in bulk today
Following the protocol of your cleanroom standards, it is important to check the Technical Data Sheet and MSDS of each supply that you order. These technical sheets are available as links under our product descriptions.
Contact us today to get a special quote on a bulk supply of the products you need in your cleanroom facility. We offer competitive pricing for some of the highest quality products available. Most orders ship the same day and can be shipped internationally to ensure your employees have the right supplies to remain compliant with your ISO standards.
