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Cleanroom Classification Standards

1st Revision - January 7, 1999

 The cleanroom classification standards FS 209E and ISO 14644-1 require specific particle count measurements and calculations to classify the cleanliness level of a cleanroom or clean area. This paper compares the requirements of the two cleanroom classification standards and the implementation of the standard calculations in Particle Vision PortAll software from Pacific Scientific Instruments. Using measurement data from Met One or Royco particle counter instruments, the PortAll software can automatically generate cleanroom classification results.

Introduction

Summary of FS 209E and ISO 14644-1 and -2

 Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Class Comparison

 Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Classes

 Required Testing

 Optional Testing

Classifying a Cleanroom

 Collecting Samples and Calculating a Classification Level According to ISO 14644-1

 Collecting Samples and Calculating a Classification Level According to FS209E

Requirements for Classification Calculations Using PortAll

The History and Future of ISO Cleanroom Standards

 ISO Cleanroom Standards 

 ISO TC 209 Working Groups

Sources and Links


Introduction

Federal Standard 209E has long been the only definition of cleanroom classification levels available from a standards organization. FS209E, Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Classes in Clean Rooms and Clean Zones, is from the U.S. General Service Administration and approved for use by all U.S. agencies. In the absence of an international standard, FS 209E was broadly used internationally.

The need for a new international standard that covered more cleanroom environmental parameters and practices led to the formation of a technical committee of the International Standards Organization. The technical committee is named, ironically, TC 209 Cleanrooms and Associated Controlled Environments. The goal of TC 209 is "standardization of equipment, facilities, and operational methods for cleanrooms and associated controlled environments. This includes procedural limits, operational limits and testing procedures to achieve desired attributes to minimize micro contamination."

This ISO committee will produce 10 new standards documents that relate to cleanrooms or clean zones (described below). The first two standards have been published: ISO 14644-1 and -2. The first document, ISO 14644-1, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments Part 1: Classification of airborne particulates has been released as a final draft international standard (FDIS). The second document, ISO 14644-2, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments Part 2: Testing and monitoring to prove continued compliance with ISO 14644-1; has been released as a draft international standard (DIS). Both are legal for use in trade.

By U.S. law, FS 209E can be superseded by new international standards. It is expected that 209E will be in use in some industries through the next five years, but that eventually it will be replaced globally by ISO 14644-1. Particle Vision PortAll software performs the cleanroom classification calculations for airborne particulate levels required by both of the U.S. and ISO standards.

The actual text of the standards must be ordered from the appropriate standards organization (see Sources and Links). This paper gives a general overview of the required particle count measurements given in the standards.

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Summary of FS 209E and ISO 14644-1 and -2

The cleanliness classification levels defined by FS209E and ISO 14644-1 are approximately equal, except the new ISO standard uses new class designations, a metric measure of air volume and adds three additional classes - two cleaner than Class 10 and one beyond than Class 100,000. The second new ISO standard, ISO 14644-2, gives requirements for monitoring a cleanroom or clean zone to provide evidence of its continued compliance with ISO 14644-1.

The following table compares FED STD 209E to the new ISO 14644-1 classifications.

Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Class Comparison

ISO 14644-1

FED STD 209E

ISO Class

English

Metric

1

   

2

   

3

1

M1.5

4

10

M2.5

5

100

M3.5

6

1,000

M4.5

7

10,000

M5.5

8

100,000

M6.5

9

   

The ISO standard also requires fewer sample locations, especially as the cleanroom/area size increases; however, the ISO standard does require minimum one minute samples, whereas the Federal Standard allows shorter samples, especially at smaller particle sizes.

For example, to certify an FS Class 10 cleanroom (ISO class 4), with 250 square feet (7.08 square meters), classified at 0.3 micron with a 1 cf/m flow rate particle counter, the required number of sample locations, sample volumes, and sample times would be as follows:

  • FS209E requires 10 sample locations, 19.6 liter minimum sample volume (0.85 cf), and a sample time of 51 seconds. This yields a total minimum sample time of 510 seconds and 10 equipment moves.
  • ISO 14644-1 requires 3 sample locations, 19.6 liter minimum sample volume (0.85 cf ), but also a minimum sample time of one minute yielding three samples of one cubic foot. This yields a total sample time of 180 seconds and three equipment moves.
The precise count levels required by ISO 14644-1 for each classification, by particle size, are given below.
Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Classes (by cubic meter)

CLASS

Number of Particles per Cubic Meter by Micrometer Size

 

0.1 um

0.2 um

0.3 um

0.5 um

1 um

5 um

ISO 1

10

2

       

ISO 2

100

24

10

4

   

ISO 3

1,000

237

102

35

8

 

ISO 4

10,000

2,370

1,020

352

83

 

ISO 5

100,000

23,700

10,200

3,520

832

29

ISO 6

1,000,000

237,000

102,000

35,200

8,320

293

ISO 7

     

352,000

83,200

2,930

ISO 8

     

3,520,000

832,000

29,300

ISO 9

     

35,200,000

8,320,000

293,000

ISO 14644-2 determines the type and frequency of testing required to conform with the standard. The following tables indicate which tests are mandatory and which tests are optional.
Required Testing (ISO 14644-2)

Schedule of Tests to Demonstrate Continuing Compliance

Test Parameter

Class

Maximum Time Interval

Test Procedure

Particle Count Test

<= ISO 5

6 Months

ISO 14644-1 Annex A

> ISO 5

12 Months

Air Pressure Difference

All Classes

12 Months

ISO 14644-1 Annex B5

Airflow

All Classes

12 Months

ISO 14644-1 Annex B4

Optional Testing (ISO 14644-2)

Schedule of Additional Optional Tests

Test Parameter

Class

Maximum Time Interval

Test Procedure

Installed Filter Leakage

All Classes

24 Months

ISO 14644-3 Annex B6

Containment Leakage

All Classes

24 Months

ISO 14644-3 Annex B4

Recovery

All Classes

24 Months

ISO 14644-3 Annex B13

Airflow Visualization

All Classes

24 Months

ISO 14644-3 Annex B7

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Classifying a Cleanroom

There are three basic steps to classifying a cleanroom using a particle counter and Particle Vision PortAll software:

  1. Determine the required particle count samples, including the number of sample locations, particle size to be used for classification, and required sample air volume.
  2. Collect the sample data using the particle counter instrument. (Refer to the instrument manual for operating instructions)
  3. Use PortAll to read sample data from the instrument and calculate the cleanroom/area classification level. Save or print the results.

Although the FS and ISO standards can seem complicated, once you have determined the required number of samples for your cleanroom/area and mapped their locations, you will repeat the same samples at the same locations each time you re-certify the cleanroom. PortAll software automatically performs the calculations and gives the results. All you have to do is collect the sample data.

Procedures for each of the standards are described below. 

Collecting Samples and Calculating a Classification Level According to ISO 14644-1

Basically, the ISO requirements are as follows:

    • Mininum number of sample locations is the square root of the number of square meters of floor space in the cleanroom/area
    • samples must be at least one minute and two liters (less than 0.1 cubic foot)
    • ISO-required variations in calculations based on the number of locations are automatically handled by PortAll (i.e. two-nine locations require a UCL to be used)

Detailed step-by-step descriptions of the requirements are given below.

To determine the number and type of particle count samples for your cleanroom/area required by the ISO standard, the following basic information is needed:

 

Basic Information

Used for determining

1

Size of the clean area in square meters or square feet (convert to square meters)

a. Minimum number of sample points

b. If a UCL calculation is required (PortAll automatically determines this and performs UCL calculation)

2

Intended ISO Class and particle size(s) for test

minimum sample volume

1. The minimum number of sample points is calculated as follows:

 
      1. determining the size of the floor area, in square meters
      2. take the square root of the floor area
      3. round up the value of the square root to the next integer

2. The minimum sample volume at each point is obtained as follows:

      1. an absolute minimum of 2 liters (about 0.071 cubic feet, 0.002 cubic meters), or
      2. a minimum volume calculated by the following equation:

Vs = ( 20 / Cn,m ) x 1000

Where : Vs is the minimum sample volume, in liters

Cn,m is the class limit (in number of particles per cubic meter for a given particle size)

Note: if you intend to calculate the class level at multiple particle sizes, be sure to select a sample volume for the largest size, which is also the largest required volume. This will ensure the sample data is valid for all sizes.

3. The minimum sample time at each location must be one minute or greater.

4. There is no definition of the number of samples to be taken at each sample point except in the case when there is only one sample point. For one sample point, there must be at least three sample volumes taken.

Note: PortAll software requires at least two locations to perform classification calculations, making the last requirement irrelavent.

Once the samples have been collected, connect the particle counter to the PortAll computer's serial port and the software will read the data from the particle counter memory and display the data in a spreadsheet. Select the sample count values to be used in the classification calculation. (The classification level can only be calculated for one particle size at a time.) Click the ISO calculator icon to perform the classification calculations.

The resulting classification for the selected particle size is displayed at the bottom of the sample data for that size column on the spreadsheet.

Per the ISO standard, if the number of sample locations is greater than 10 and more than one sample was collected per location, then the classification is determined by the averages of the particle counts obtained at each location. The calculated average at each location must pass the classification limit.

If the number of sample locations is at least two but not more than nine, then the Upper Confidence Limit [UCL] will also be calculated, and the calculated value for the UCL must also be less than the classification limit.

Collecting Samples and Calculating a Classification Level According to FS209E

Basically, the Federal requirements are as follows:

    • in areas with unidirectional flow, there must be one sample location for each 25 square feet of floor space or for each 2.32 square meters
    • samples must be at least 2.83 liters (0.1 cubic foot)
    • at least five samples must be collected
    • FS-required variations in calculations based on the number of locations are automatically handled by PortAll (i.e. two-nine locations require a UCL to be used)

Detailed step-by-step descriptions of the requirements are given below.

To determine the number and type of particle count samples for your cleanroom/area required by the Federal Standard, the following basic information is needed:

 

Basic Information

Used for determining

1

Airflow: Unidirectional or turbulent

which factor to use for calculating number of sample points

2

Size of the clean area in square meters or square feet

a. minimum number of sample points

b. If a UCL calculation is required (PortAll automatically determines this and performs UCL calculation)

3

Intended Cleanroom Class; particle size(s) for test

minimum sample volume

1.The minimum number of sample locations varies based on the flow type.

A) For unidirectional flow, the minimum number of locations is calculated by:

      1. determining the size of the floor area, in square meters, and dividing by 2.32
      2. or, determining the size of the floor area, in square feet, and dividing by 25
      3. rounding up the value of the calculation to the next integer (minimum = 2)

B) For non-directional flow, the minimum number of sample locations is calculated by:

      1. determining the size of the floor area, in square meters, and using the formula
      2. Ns = (area in square meters) x 64 / (10M)0.5

        where Ns = number of sample locations

        M = SI (Metric) designation of the room class

      3. or, determining the size of the floor area, in square feet, and using the formula
      4. Ns = (area in square feet) / (NC)0.5

        where Ns = number of sample locations

        Nc = room class designation in English units

      5. rounding up the value of Ns to the next integer (minimum = 2)

 2. The minimum sample volume at each point is obtained by the larger of:

      1. an absolute minimum of 2.83 liters (e.g. 0.1 cf), or
      2. a minimum volume calculated by the following equation:

 Vs = (20 / Cn,m )x 1000

Where Vs is the minimum sample volume, in liters

Cn,m is the class limit (in number of particles per cubic meter)

3. There is no minimum sample time at each location.

4. There is no definition of the number of samples to be taken at each sample point except that at least five sample volumes must be taken in each cleanroom/area being classified.

Once the samples have been collected, connect the particle counter to the PortAll computer's serial port and the software will read the data from the particle counter memory and display the data in a spreadsheet. Select the sample count values to be used in the classification calculation. (The classification level can only be calculated for one particle size at a time.) Click the FS209 calculator icon to perform the classification calculations.

The resulting classification for the selected particle size is displayed at the bottom of the sample data for that size column on the spreadsheet.

Per the FS209E standard, if the number of sample locations is greater than 10 and more than one sample was collected per location, then the classification is determined by the averages of the particle counts obtained at each location. The calculated average at each location must pass the classification limit.

If the number of sample locations is at least two but not more than nine, then the Upper Confidence Limit [UCL] will also be calculated, and the calculated value for the UCL must also be less than the classification limit.

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Requirements for Classification Calculations Using PortAll

Once you have selected the count values in the spreadsheet for the particle size you want used for the classification calculation, PortAll calculates the class as follows:

PortAll searches the unselected region of the spreadsheet and determines the number of sample locations involved. The software then sorts the samples by location and determines the average count value per location. The highest average count value is determined and this value is compared to the standard table to determine the classification. If there are between two and nine locations, PortAll also calculates the UCL and compares the result to the standard table. The UCL result and average count result are compared and the worst classification is chosen.

The following four rules must be followed to ensure an accurate classification result from PortAll.

  1. The data returned from the particle counter contains a location number for each sample. The operator collecting the sample data must change the location number, using the front panel instrument controls, each time the instrument is moved to a new location. PortAll relies on the location number as an accurate indicator of the number of sample locations, and number of samples per location.
  2. The sample time must be set to obtain the required sample volume at each location. (Sample Time x Instrument Flow Rate = Sample Volume). PortAll does not have access to the instrument flow rate and has no way to verify that the sample volume complies with standard requirements.
  3. The total count data returned from the particle counter must be normalized to counts per unit volume to obtain a correct classification. PortAll will automatically normalize the count data, but you must setup this feature (refer to the online User's Guide for instructions). The data normalization settings for a particular instrument are saved based on the instrument address. For most instruments, the sample location (LOC) value is also the serial port address, so be sure to reset the instrument address after collecting samples in the cleanroom and before connecting the instrument to PortAll. Otherwise, the count values will not be automatically normalized and an erroneous classification could result. Also, the address value cannot esceed 31. PortAll will not recognize an instrument whose address is outside of the rante of 0-31.
    1. For ISO 14644-1: PortAll stores the ISO classification limits internally in a table as counts per cubic meter. To obtain accurate classifications, the data in the spreadsheet must be normalized to counts per cubic meter.
    2. For FS209E: PortAll stores the FS209E classification limits as counts per cubic foot. To obtain accurate classifications, the data in the spreadsheet must be normalized to counts per cubic foot.

Note: Sometimes it is helpful to clear the instrument memory before beginning a sampling sequence to classify a cleanroom/area. This ensures that the PortAll spreadsheet of the instrument memory will only contain relevant samples, making it easier to select which data should be used for the classification calculations.

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The History and Future of ISO Cleanroom Standards

In 1992, at the urging of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, the American National Standards Institute petitioned ISO to create a technical committee on cleanrooms and associated controlled environments. This new committee, ISO TC 209, was formally established in May 1993. Its mission is to develop an international standard for cleanrooms and associated controlled environments that encompasses the standardization of equipment, facilities, and operational methods, while also defining procedural and operational limits and testing procedures to minimize contamination.

Thirty-four countries are currently active in ISO TC 209. Voting members are Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Nonvoting members are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia.

Two Draft International Standards (DIS) have been released by the committee: ISO/DIS 14644-1, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments-Part 1: Classification of airborne particulates, and ISO/DIS 14644-2 Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments-Part 2: Specifications for testing and monitoring to prove continued compliance with ISO 14644-1. These first ISO cleanroom standards are two of 10 documents (see table A) that will make up the new family of global cleanroom standards. Many of these documents are at the final voting stage and can be legally used in trade.

ISO Document

Title

ISO-14644-1

Classification of Air Cleanliness

ISO-14644-2

Cleanroom Testing for Compliance

ISO-14644-3

Methods for Evaluating & Measuring Cleanrooms & Associated Controlled Environments

ISO-14644-4

Cleanroom Design & Construction

ISO-14644-5

Cleanroom Operations

ISO-14644-6

Terms, Definitions & Units

ISO-14644-7

Enhanced Clean Devices

ISO-14644-8

Molecular Contamination

ISO-14698-1

Biocontamination: Control General Principles

ISO-14698-2

Biocontamination: Evaluation & Interpretation of Data

ISO-14698-3

Biocontamination: Methodology for Measuring Efficiency of Cleaning Inert Surfaces

ISO Cleanroom Standards 

ISO/FDIS 14644-1 Classification of Air Cleanliness
This document covers the classification of air cleanliness in cleanrooms and associated controlled environments. Classification in accordance with this standard is specified and accomplished exclusively in terms of concentration of airborne particles.

ISO/DIS 14644-2 Cleanroom Testing for Compliance
This document specifies requirements for periodic testing of a cleanroom or clean zone to prove its continued compliance with ISO 14644-1 for the designated classification of airborne particulate cleanliness. These requirements invoke the test described in ISO 14644-1 for the classification of the cleanroom or clean zone. Additional tests are also specified, to be carried out based on the requirements of this International Standard. Optional tests, to be applied at the user's discretion, are also identified.

ISO-14644-3 Methods for Evaluating & Measuring Cleanrooms & Associated Controlled Environments

This document describes the necessary performance tests for various types of cleanrooms. The occupancy states of "as built", "at rest", and "in operation" are defined as well as appropriate levels of certification. A large index is provided on a variety of test methods and appropriate equipment.

ISO-14644-4 Cleanroom Design & Construction

This document will be a primer on the design and construction of cleanrooms. It will cover all aspects of the process from design development to startup and commissioning.

ISO-14644-5 Cleanroom Operations

This document will be a primer on cleanroom operation. It will cover all aspects of the operation of a cleanroom including entry and exit procedures for equipment and personnel, education and training, cleanroom apparel, and facility issues such as maintenance, housekeeping, monitoring, system failure, etc.

ISO-14644-6 Terms, Definitions & Units

This document will provide a consistent reference for all terms, definitions and units discussed across all ISO cleanroom standards.

ISO-14644-7 Enhanced Clean Devices

This document will focus on specialized stand-alone clean spaces including their design, construction, and operations.

ISO-14644-8 Molecular Contamination

This will be a new document covering measurement of airborne molecular contamination in clean zones. The first meeting is scheduled for December 1998.

ISO-14698-1 Biocontamination: Control General Principles

This document describes principles and basic methodology for a formal system to assess and control biocontamination where cleanroom technology is applied.

ISO-14698-2 Biocontamination: Evaluation & Interpretation of Data

This document describes basic principles and methodology for microbiological data evaluation. It provides a method of estimating of biocontamination from sampling for viable particles in zones at risk.

ISO-14698-3 Biocontamination: Methodology for Measuring Efficiency of Cleaning Inert Surfaces

This document outlines the methodology to measure the effectiveness of cleaning and/or disinfection of inert surfaces having biocontaminated wet soiling or biofilms. 

ISO TC 209 Working Groups

Listed below are ISO TC 209's seven working groups and their missions.

Working Group 1

ISO 14644-1, "Classification of Air Cleanliness" Three new classes have been added to the existing standard, Federal Standard 209, two cleaner and one dirtier.

ISO 14644-2 covers specifications for testing and monitoring. This document specifies the requirements for monitoring a cleanroom or clean zone to provide evidence of its continued compliance with ISO 14644-1 for the designated classification of airborne particulate cleanliness. A schedule of normative and informative tests is included in the document.

Working Group 2

ISO 14698-1, "Biocontamination Control General Principles". This document describes the principles and basic methodology for a formal system to assess and control biocontamination. It will include the general requirements of a sampling plan; target, alert, and action levels; qualification; and reporting.

ISO 14698-2, "Evaluation and Interpretation of Biocontamination Data." This document describes the basic principles and methodological requirements for all microbiological data evaluation and the estimation of biocontamination data obtained from sampling for viable particles. It will also include evaluation of the initial monitoring plan and of the data resulting from routine monitoring, as well as analysis of the data, trending, and record keeping.

Working Group 3

A working group on metrology and testing methods. Performance tests are specified at operational phases—as-built, at-rest, and operational. The items to be measured are categorized as either primary or user-optional tests. Primary tests include particle count, airflow velocity, airflow volume, pressure differential, and installed filter leakage. User-optional tests include flow visualization, airflow parallelism, airflow turbulence, temperature, humidity, molecule contamination, electrostatic charge, particle fallout, recovery, and integrity.

Working Group 4

ISO 14644-4, "Design and Construction." This document specifies requirements for the design and construction of cleanroom and clean air devices, as well as requirements for start-up and qualification. It also provides guidance on the basic elements of design and construction.

Working Group 5

A cleanroom operations working group. Topics to be addressed include entry/admittance, procedures, and cleaning, as well as maintenance as it relates to equipment, materials, and people.

Working Group 6

In detailing terms, definitions, and units, the definitive document of this working group must include all definitions from all approved documents of ISO TC 209. Consequently, it will be the final ISO TC 209 document.

Working Group 7

The Enhanced Clean Devices working group.

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Sources and Links

Institute of Environmental Sciences & Technology (IEST)

Arlington Place One
2340 Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights IL 60005

Phone: 1-847-981-0100
Fax: 1-847-981-4130

  • FS 209E from the General Services Adminstration. Order from . . .

Standards Order Desk
Naval Publications and Forms Center
700 Robbins Ave
Section D BLD4
Philadelphia, PA. 19111
Tel # 215-697-2667
FAX 215-697-2978

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Document P/N 2084056 

Written by Scott Hjelmervik, Software and Systems Manager, and by Joe Gecsey, Airborne Products Manager

Copyright by Pacific Scientific Instruments Company, January 1999. All Rights Reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice

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