Controlled Environment Drainage: Closing the Gap

  • Drainage systems may seem out of place in a cleanroom.However, they play a crucial role and prove to be invaluable allies, when needed.
  • Cleanrooms are classified according to the UNI EN ISO 14644-1 standard, which outlines the specific safety protocols for each category.
  • Cleanroom sanitization occurs through air filtration, but the drainage system can also make a significant difference-here's how.
  • Inoxsystem® offers effective solutions for controlled environments, such as plate drains with sealed covers, as well as the Total Hygienic line, designed specifically to ensure sterility.

A matter of quality

What do drainage systems have to do with controlled environments, where air quality is paramount? In cleanrooms, drainage systems may seem like intruders. Yet, they play a fundamental role and, at the right moment, reveal themselves to be excellent allies. The key is choosing certified, high-quality products.

What is a cleanroom and what is it for?

Thick walls without gaps, suspended ceilings, and highly airtight doors, with curved finishes between walls and floors to prevent bacterial build-up. Cleanrooms are controlled environments designed for activities with a high risk of contamination, such as in the pharmaceutical or food industries.
Due to their specific requirements, meticulous planning is necessary for every component, accompanied by rigorous control of all parameters that influence the microclimate..

In a cleanroom, humidity, pressure, light, and temperature are continuously monitored and kept below certain levels to maintain air quality and prevent particulate contamination.
Based on these environmental requirements, cleanrooms are classified according to the UNI EN ISO 14644-1 standard. An ISO 1 class cleanroom is considered the most pristine, while ISO 9 denotes a cleanroom with less stringent safety protocols.

Drainage systems in controlled environments: yes or no?

How does a cleanroom work? Essentially, it relies on the principle of recirculating highly filtered air in a sealed space. Therefore, maintaining air quality in the workspace is essential, as it must remain sterile and aseptic.
However, as discussed in a previous article, the floors in controlled environments must also comply with specific standards for sterility and safety.
In some types of cleanrooms, such as ISO 8 and ISO 9, there are designated wash areas. These areas are dedicated to the cleaning of wheeled equipment and/or work tools. Here, the drainage system comes into play, selected to collect wash water, prevent pooling on the floor, and thus inhibit bacterial growth
The issue of drainage systems in controlled environments is a subject of much discussion. Given the stringent protocols, a precisely engineered system is required to ensure flawless efficiency. In this context, Inoxsystem® offers a wide range of products that perfectly match the needs of controlled environments.
Typically, the system uses point drainage, with a single collection drain linked to an underground piping network, functioning as a water disposal system due to its built-in slope. In these situations, Inoxsystem® offers drains featuring a sealed blind plate cover, which can be opened for cleaning and then closed again safely.

READ ALSO: Drainage systems in pharmaceutical industry must be 100% reliable

Drainage for gray rooms

While air filtration does most of the work in cleanrooms, in gray rooms the drainage system takes center stage. Gray rooms are also controlled environments where contamination risks are present. However, the focus shifts from strict sterilization to primarily controlling temperature and humidity. As a result, gray rooms undergo extensive wash cycles and thus require a suitable, inspectable drainage system to prevent bacterial growth.

Inoxsystem® Total hygienic’s contribution for cleanrooms and gray rooms

Cleanroom floors are often made of linoleum. For this reason, Inoxsystem® products can be equipped with a perimeter “PVC frame”, which allows for a perfect, gap-free fit between the drainage system and the floor. An important contribution to controlled environments comes from the Total Hygienic line: rounded internal corners, channels, and drains equipped with siphon kits and fully removable baskets, as well as edge-free grates designed to prevent dirt accumulation. The products in this range ensure comprehensive and deep cleaning. They are crafted from AISI 304 stainless steel, with the option of AISI 316L for added resistance to corrosion caused by salt, chlorine, and aggressive acids commonly found in cleaning agents. Cleanliness is, after all, a critical requirement in controlled environments like cleanrooms and gray rooms, where a high-quality drainage system can make a significant difference.

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