Cleanrooms are vital for a range of activities, from scientific research to semiconductor manufacturing. But even relatively minor contamination can lead to latent failures that are irreversible, massive product recalls, and serious health risks to both personnel and consumers.
That is why cleanroom performance testing (CPT) is so important – and why a growing number of professionals seek certification. But what exactly is involved in cleanroom testing? And how do you find the right certification?
This article answers those questions and helps you understand how CPT could transform your professional prospects.
Cleanroom Testing: An Overview
What is Cleanroom Performance Testing?
Cleanroom performance testing (CPT) is a method designed to verify that pollutants are not present, and that the cleanroom meets the relevant standards and specifications. Certified CPT professionals leverage expert knowledge and real-world experience to assess, validate, and optimize the processes through which cleanrooms stay secure.
What does Cleanroom Testing Involve?
A thorough cleanroom assessment involves multiple distinct tests, including:
- Airflow and volume/velocity tests: These tests determine the average filter face velocity and uniformity, and / or the average room airflow velocity and uniformity within a cleanroom; they confirm that the airflow volumes and patterns are balanced. CPT professionals use a range of instruments to verify air flow volumes and velocities, and they can use the data to calculate the air exchange rates.
- Airborne particle count tests: These tests use a laser-based discrete particle counter to collect particle data. They are performed to determine the actual particle count level within the facility at the time of the test, enabling CPT professionals to determine whether the environment meets the required particle concentration limits.
- Room pressure tests: Room pressure tests verify that the differential pressure between areas is flowing in the correct direction. Pressurization in a cleanroom should always flow from cleanest to less clean to prevent contamination.
- Floor conductivity testing: Conductivity tests measure resistance between specified points on the floor covering, and from the floor covering to the building ground at strategic locations within the building.
- Light tests: Lighting level and uniformity tests verify that installed lighting levels and lighting uniformity meet the specified requirements.
The Three Phases of Cleanroom Testing
When cleanrooms do not perform properly, it can be difficult to identify the issue – because there are several possible contributing factors. Quality cleanroom tests therefore assess the environment under three different conditions:
- As Build: The cleanroom is installed with all services connected, but no production equipment, materials or personnel are present. These tests assess whether the equipment is installed properly.
- At Rest: The cleanroom is fully equipped and operates as per the client’s specifications, but without personnel present. These tests ensure the equipment produces the required environmental conditions.
- Operational: The cleanroom is fully functional with all operational machinery and personnel present. These tests prove that the cleanroom meets all performance requirements and can be used safely.
The above three phases won’t always take place on every job – it can be one, all, or a combination. The state of the build and/or the client will dictate what is needed.
Why is Cleanroom Testing Important?
Comprehensive CPT is essential for any cleanroom, helping owners and operators to:
- Ensure compliance: Regular testing demonstrates compliance with ISO 14644-1, the international standard for cleanliness levels within cleanrooms. CPT tests establish the concentration of airborne particles and particle size to ensure the environment does not exceed he maximum allow concentration for particles ≥0.1 µm in size.
- Monitor cleanroom performance: ISO 14644-2 specifies requirements for monitoring and demonstrating the ongoing performance and compliance of a cleanroom. Regular CPT tests are therefore vital to maintain the requisite monitoring plan, ensuring you have accurate reads of particle counts, airflow rates, pressure differentials, and temperature.
- Save resources: System optimization enables customers to avoid wasted resources and seamlessly introduce more energy-efficient technology.
- Future-proof cleanrooms: Building CPT principles into the design prior to construction ensures new compliance trends are addressed.
All of these benefits are produced by following the NEBB procedural standard for certified testing of cleanrooms – a comprehensive set of guidelines that establish the minimum requirements for a quality CPT test.
But this raises the question: how does an individual or firm go about completing cleanroom testing?
Cleanroom Certification: Everything You Need to Know
Why Get Cleanroom Certification
Many organizations have relatively little in-house expertise when it comes to cleanroom testing. They require an expert to assess, test, analyze and explain the results of their cleanrooms across key performance criteria – but that makes finding the right partner of paramount importance.
The right cleanroom testing certification positions you as a trustworthy expert. With a lengthy training and qualification process, certification demonstrates exactly the kind of knowledge, skill and experience that firms are looking for – making it a major benefit to professionals looking to generate business.
How to Find the Right Certification Firm
Given the popularity of the discipline, cleanroom testing certifications are relatively common today. However, prospective applicants should focus on a few key factors when assessing a certification firm:
- Reputation: How will the firm’s reputation impact your career? Are they a well-established and respected firm? Do they carry weight nationally, internationally, or globally?
- Standards: Are the firm’s qualification criteria and exam standards considered exacting? Does the certification process cover theoretical and practical experience?
- Support: Does the firm help its partners after certification? Can you expert continuing education support or marketing materials provided by your chosen firm?
These factors will quickly help you eliminate most prospective certification firms – and find one that will truly support your professional flourishing.
Become a Cleanroom Performance Testing Professional with NEBB
For over 30 years, NEBB has been considered the international gold-standard for building systems testing certifications. Our CPT certification has exacting standards, including an extensive learning period and exams designed and maintained by an expert panel.
Want to learn how our certification could transform your career?
Explore CPT Certification