Cleanroom Cleaning Services
Specialty Equipment Requires Specialists
Almost anyone can clean, at least to some degree. After all, all you need is some simple disinfectants and some sort of paper towel or wiping agent. Most of us know that to thoroughly clean, it’s a bit more complicated than that. SourceONE Building Maintenance offers cleanroom cleaning, a type of specialized cleaning that involves cleaning rooms that contain highly sensitive and specialized equipment that is used in scientific research or advanced technological fields. These areas have more rigorous standards for cleanliness, including having extremely low levels of particulates, such as dust, viruses and bacteria in the air, and other contaminants. These rigorous standards require specially-trained commercial cleaning staff, such as SourceONE. Call us today to schedule!
Our Cleanroom Cleaning Approach
SourceONE takes a comprehensive approach to our cleanroom cleaning services.
Mops play an important role in the cleaning of cleanrooms, which are controlled environments where the concentration of airborne particles is regulated to specific limits. These rooms are essential in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and electronics, where even the smallest contaminant can affect the quality and safety of products.
Specialized Cleanroom Mops
Unlike traditional mops, cleanroom mops are designed to meet stringent cleanliness standards. They are typically made from materials that generate minimal particles and fibers, such as microfiber or non-woven polyester. These materials are chosen for their ability to effectively capture and hold contaminants, ensuring they are not released back into the environment during cleaning.
Mop Design and Features
Cleanroom mops often feature flat, rectangular heads that maximize surface contact and ensure even cleaning. The mop heads are usually detachable and can be autoclaved or sterilized to maintain cleanliness. Additionally, the mop handles are often made from stainless steel or other non-corrosive materials that are easy to clean and disinfect.
Cleaning Solutions and Protocols
When using mops in cleanrooms, it’s essential to follow strict cleaning protocols. The cleaning solutions used are typically low in residue and free from contaminants that could compromise the cleanroom’s integrity. These solutions are applied to the mop head, which is then used in a systematic pattern to cover the entire floor area without missing spots or spreading contaminants.
Benefits of Mopping in Cleanrooms
Mopping helps to remove particles, dust, and microbial contaminants from the floors, maintaining the cleanroom’s controlled environment. Regular mopping reduces the risk of contamination that could affect sensitive processes or products. It also helps to extend the life of cleanroom surfaces by preventing the buildup of harmful substances.
Mops are an indispensable tool in the maintenance of cleanrooms, ensuring that these critical environments remain free from contaminants. By using specialized materials and following stringent cleaning protocols, mops help uphold the cleanliness standards required for high-precision industries.
Vacuum cleaners are integral to maintaining the stringent cleanliness standards of cleanrooms, which are critical in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing. These controlled environments require meticulous cleaning to prevent contamination that could compromise product quality and safety. Vacuum cleaners designed for cleanrooms differ significantly from conventional models to meet these high standards.
Specialized Cleanroom Vacuum Cleaners
Cleanroom vacuum cleaners are engineered to control and minimize particle emissions. They typically feature HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) or ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air) filters, which can capture 99.97% to 99.999% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. These filters ensure that the vacuum does not release contaminants back into the air, which is crucial in maintaining the cleanroom’s particle count within the specified limits.
Design and Construction
The construction of cleanroom vacuum cleaners involves materials that do not shed particles or contribute to contamination. Stainless steel and other non-corrosive, easily cleanable materials are commonly used. These vacuums are also designed to be easy to disassemble and sterilize, ensuring that every component can be thoroughly cleaned to maintain hygiene standards.
Operation and Protocols
Using vacuum cleaners in cleanrooms follows strict protocols. Operators are trained to use these vacuums in a manner that prevents the spread of contaminants. This includes vacuuming in a specific pattern to ensure complete coverage and using attachments designed for different surfaces, such as floors, walls, and equipment. Vacuum cleaners are often equipped with antistatic features to prevent static discharge, which can attract dust and particles.
Applications and Benefits
Vacuum cleaners are used to remove dust, particles, and other contaminants from various surfaces within cleanrooms, including floors, workstations, and equipment. Regular vacuuming is essential to maintain the cleanroom’s air quality and surface cleanliness, preventing contamination of products and processes. This is especially important in industries where even microscopic particles can have significant adverse effects.
Vacuum cleaners play a vital role in the maintenance of cleanrooms, ensuring that these environments remain free from harmful contaminants. By using specialized equipment designed to capture and contain particles, cleanroom vacuums help maintain the strict cleanliness standards required in high-precision industries. Their effective operation ensures the integrity and safety of products and processes, supporting the overall quality and reliability of outcomes in sensitive manufacturing and research environments.
The use of green cleaners and chemicals in cleanrooms is an important advancement for maintaining high cleanliness standards while promoting environmental sustainability and health safety. Cleanrooms are highly controlled environments used in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing, where even minor contaminants can compromise product quality and safety. Green cleaners are designed to be effective while minimizing harmful environmental and health impacts.
Characteristics of Green Cleaners
Green cleaners are typically made from biodegradable, non-toxic, and renewable resources. They avoid harmful ingredients, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause health issues and environmental damage. These cleaners are formulated to be just as effective as traditional cleaning agents in removing contaminants like particles, microbes, and residues, ensuring that cleanrooms maintain their stringent standards.
Benefits to Health and Safety
Green cleaners enhance the health and safety of employees by reducing exposure to harsh chemicals that can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health problems. This is particularly important in cleanrooms, where maintaining a sterile environment is crucial, and the well-being of workers directly impacts productivity and product integrity.
Environmental Impact
Using green cleaners reduces the ecological footprint of cleanroom operations. Traditional cleaning chemicals can contribute to water and soil pollution when disposed of improperly. In contrast, green cleaners break down more easily and pose less risk to the environment, aligning with sustainability and corporate social responsibility goals.
Implementation in Cleanrooms
Implementing green cleaning in cleanrooms requires proper training and updated protocols. Cleaning staff need to understand the specific properties of green cleaners, including correct dilution ratios, application methods, and contact times. Continuous monitoring and documentation ensure the effectiveness of green cleaning practices, maintaining high standards and regulatory compliance.
The adoption of green cleaners in cleanrooms is a significant step toward achieving stringent cleanliness standards while supporting environmental and health goals. By integrating eco-friendly practices, cleanrooms can maintain their critical environments without compromising on safety or sustainability.
The use of wipes in cleanrooms is a fundamental aspect of maintaining the stringent cleanliness standards required in these controlled environments. Cleanrooms are critical in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing, where even microscopic contaminants can compromise product quality and safety. Specialized wipes play a crucial role in effectively removing contaminants without introducing new ones.
Types of Cleanroom Wipes
Non-Woven Wipes: These are made from synthetic fibers like polyester and polypropylene. They are durable, highly absorbent, and effective at trapping particles without shedding fibers.
Knitted Wipes: Typically made from continuous-filament polyester, knitted wipes are designed to be low-linting and highly absorbent. They are ideal for critical cleaning tasks that require minimal particle generation.
Pre-Saturated Wipes: These wipes come pre-moistened with a precise amount of cleaning solution, ensuring consistent application and reducing the risk of contamination from external sources.
Applications of Cleanroom Wipes
Surface Cleaning: Wipes are used to clean surfaces such as workstations, equipment, walls, and floors. Their ability to remove dust, particles, and residues ensures that surfaces remain free of contaminants.
Equipment Maintenance: Wipes are essential for cleaning sensitive equipment and instruments. Their low-lint properties prevent the introduction of fibers that could affect equipment performance.
Disinfection: Pre-saturated wipes with disinfectants are used to sanitize surfaces, effectively killing bacteria and other microbes to maintain a sterile environment.
Spill Control: Wipes are used to quickly address spills, preventing the spread of contaminants and ensuring that the cleanroom remains free from liquid hazards.
Benefits of Using Cleanroom Wipes
- Effective Contamination Control: Specialized wipes are designed to capture and hold contaminants, reducing the risk of recontamination.
- Material Compatibility: Cleanroom wipes are made from materials that are safe for use on sensitive surfaces and equipment.
- Convenience and Efficiency: Wipes are easy to use, allowing for quick and effective cleaning of various surfaces.
- Consistent Quality: Pre-saturated wipes provide consistent application of cleaning solutions, ensuring uniform cleanliness.
Cleanroom wipes are an indispensable tool in maintaining the high cleanliness standards required in controlled environments. Their specialized design and materials ensure effective contamination control, protecting the integrity of processes and products in cleanrooms.
The use of deionized (DI) or reverse osmosis (RO) filtered water in cleanrooms is essential for maintaining the stringent cleanliness standards required in these controlled environments. Cleanrooms are used in various high-tech industries, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing, where even microscopic contaminants can jeopardize the quality and integrity of products. DI and RO water play a crucial role in ensuring that cleaning processes do not introduce impurities that could compromise the cleanroom’s controlled conditions.
Characteristics of Deionized and Reverse Osmosis Water
Deionized Water: Deionized water is produced by passing water through a resin bed that removes ions. This process removes minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride, resulting in water that is free from ionic impurities. DI water is highly pure and does not contain dissolved salts that can leave residues.
Reverse Osmosis Water: Reverse osmosis water is created by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes a wide range of contaminants, including ions, particles, and organic molecules. RO filtration effectively reduces the concentration of dissolved solids, bacteria, and other impurities, producing water of very high purity.
Importance of Pure Water in Cleanrooms
- Prevention of Contamination: In cleanrooms, the presence of even the smallest contaminants can affect the outcome of sensitive processes and the quality of products. Using DI or RO water ensures that cleaning activities do not introduce ionic or particulate impurities. This is crucial for maintaining the controlled environment required in cleanrooms.
- Residue-Free Cleaning: Traditional tap water contains minerals and other dissolved substances that can leave residues on surfaces. These residues can interfere with cleanroom processes and equipment. DI and RO water, being free of these impurities, do not leave any residues, ensuring that surfaces remain clean and uncontaminated after cleaning.
- Compatibility with Sensitive Materials: Cleanrooms often contain delicate and sensitive equipment and materials that can be adversely affected by contaminants. The use of DI and RO water is particularly important in such environments because it prevents corrosion, scaling, and other damage that can be caused by impurities in regular water.
Applications in Cleanroom Cleaning
Surface Cleaning: DI and RO water are used to clean surfaces such as floors, walls, and equipment in cleanrooms. The high purity of the water ensures that no contaminants are introduced during the cleaning process, maintaining the cleanroom’s stringent cleanliness standards.
Wiping and Mopping: When used with lint-free wipes and mops, DI and RO water provide effective cleaning without leaving residues. This combination is essential for removing dust, particles, and other contaminants from critical surfaces.
Rinsing: After applying cleaning agents, DI and RO water are often used for rinsing to ensure that no residues from the cleaning chemicals remain on surfaces. This final rinse is crucial for maintaining the cleanliness and sterility of the cleanroom environment.
Equipment Cleaning: Sensitive equipment and instruments in cleanrooms require meticulous cleaning to prevent contamination. DI and RO water are ideal for cleaning and rinsing these items, as they do not leave residues that could affect equipment performance.
Benefits of Using DI and RO Water
- Enhanced Cleanliness: The use of DI and RO water significantly enhances the cleanliness of cleanrooms by eliminating the risk of introducing contaminants during cleaning.
- Improved Product Quality: By maintaining a contaminant-free environment, DI and RO water help ensure the quality and integrity of products manufactured in cleanrooms.
- Extended Equipment Life: The absence of minerals and other impurities in DI and RO water prevents scaling and corrosion, thus extending the life of cleanroom equipment and surfaces.
- Regulatory Compliance: Many industries have stringent regulatory requirements for cleanliness and contamination control. The use of DI and RO water helps meet these standards, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
The use of deionized and reverse osmosis filtered water is a critical component of cleanroom maintenance. These high-purity water types ensure that cleaning processes do not introduce contaminants, thereby maintaining the stringent cleanliness standards required in cleanroom environments. By preventing residue buildup, protecting sensitive equipment, and supporting regulatory compliance, DI and RO water play an essential role in the effective and efficient operation of cleanrooms across various high-tech industries.
ENVIRONMENTS WE SPECIALIZE IN
Bio-pharmaceutical
SourceONE Building Maintenance specializes in bio-pharmaceutical environments due to the critical need for exceptional cleanliness and stringent contamination control in these settings.
Bio-pharmaceutical facilities produce highly sensitive products, such as vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and gene therapies, where even minor contamination can compromise product safety and efficacy.
SourceONE’s expertise ensures these environments meet the rigorous standards set by regulatory agencies like the FDA and EMA. The company employs advanced cleaning protocols, specialized equipment, and highly trained personnel to maintain the pristine conditions required in cleanrooms and other controlled areas. Our cleaning teams understand the unique challenges of handling biological materials and adhere to strict protocols to prevent cross-contamination.
By specializing in bio-pharmaceutical environments, SourceONE Building Maintenance provides invaluable support to these critical industries, ensuring that their facilities remain in optimal condition for the development and production of life-saving therapies.
Bio-pharmaceutical
SourceONE Building Maintenance specializes in bio-pharmaceutical environments due to the critical need for exceptional cleanliness and stringent contamination control in these settings.
Bio-pharmaceutical facilities produce highly sensitive products, such as vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and gene therapies, where even minor contamination can compromise product safety and efficacy.
SourceONE’s expertise ensures these environments meet the rigorous standards set by regulatory agencies like the FDA and EMA. The company employs advanced cleaning protocols, specialized equipment, and highly trained personnel to maintain the pristine conditions required in cleanrooms and other controlled areas. Our cleaning teams understand the unique challenges of handling biological materials and adhere to strict protocols to prevent cross-contamination.
By specializing in bio-pharmaceutical environments, SourceONE Building Maintenance provides invaluable support to these critical industries, ensuring that their facilities remain in optimal condition for the development and production of life-saving therapies.
Semiconductor/Microelectronics
SourceONE Building Maintenance specializes in Semiconductor/Microelectronics environments due to the critical need for precise contamination control in these highly sensitive industries.
Semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing requires extremely clean environments because even microscopic particles can cause defects in circuits and components, leading to significant product failures and financial losses.
SourceONE’s expertise ensures these environments maintain the stringent cleanliness standards necessary for optimal performance. The company employs advanced cleaning protocols, specialized equipment, and highly trained personnel to manage the unique challenges of these settings. Our teams understand the delicate nature of semiconductor materials and the importance of preventing particle, chemical, and microbial contamination.
By specializing in these environments, SourceONE Building Maintenance provides essential support to semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturers, helping them maintain the high standards needed for the production of cutting-edge technology. This expertise not only safeguards product quality but also enhances operational efficiency and reliability, ensuring that manufacturers can meet the stringent demands of the market.
Medical Devices
SourceONE Building Maintenance specializes in the cleaning of medical devices due to the critical need for maintaining stringent hygiene and contamination control in this sector.
Medical devices, ranging from surgical instruments to diagnostic equipment, must meet rigorous cleanliness standards to ensure patient safety and device efficacy. Even minimal contamination can lead to severe health risks and compromise device functionality.
SourceONE’s expertise ensures that medical device manufacturing and processing environments adhere to the strict regulatory standards set by agencies such as the FDA. The company employs advanced cleaning protocols, specialized equipment, and highly trained personnel to manage the unique challenges associated with cleaning medical devices. Our teams are well-versed in the specific requirements for preventing microbial contamination, particulate matter, and chemical residues.
By specializing in the cleaning of medical devices, SourceONE Building Maintenance provides crucial support to the healthcare industry, ensuring that devices are safe for use and meet the highest quality standards, ultimately protecting patient health and improving clinical outcomes.
Nanotechnology
SourceONE Building Maintenance specializes in nanotechnology environments due to the unique and stringent cleanliness requirements essential for this cutting-edge field.
Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of materials at an atomic or molecular scale, where even the smallest particles of contamination can significantly impact the precision and functionality of nanomaterials and devices.
SourceONE’s expertise ensures that these highly controlled environments maintain the exceptional cleanliness standards necessary for successful nanotechnology research and manufacturing. The company employs advanced cleaning protocols, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly trained personnel skilled in managing the specific challenges of nanotechnology cleanrooms. Our teams understand the critical importance of eliminating all forms of contaminants, including dust, chemical residues, and microbial particles, which can affect the integrity and performance of nanoscale products.
By specializing in nanotechnology environments, SourceONE Building Maintenance provides essential support to researchers and manufacturers, helping them achieve the high standards needed for innovative advancements in this rapidly evolving field. This expertise ensures the purity and quality of nanomaterials, fostering successful development and application of nanotechnology.
Biotechnology
SourceONE Building Maintenance specializes in biotechnology environments due to the critical need for maintaining stringent cleanliness and contamination control in these specialized settings.
Biotechnology encompasses a broad range of disciplines where biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof are utilized to develop products or processes for various applications, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental remediation.
In biotechnology facilities, cleanliness is paramount to ensure the purity and safety of biological materials and products. Even minor contaminants can compromise research outcomes, production processes, and the quality of biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostic tools.
SourceONE’s expertise ensures that biotechnology environments adhere to rigorous regulatory standards and industry best practices. We employ advanced cleaning protocols, specialized equipment, and highly trained personnel to manage the unique challenges associated with maintaining cleanliness in biotechnology cleanrooms and laboratories. Our teams understand the critical importance of preventing cross-contamination, maintaining sterility, and ensuring the integrity of biological samples and processes.
Moreover, SourceONE’s specialization supports biotechnology companies in achieving reliable and reproducible results, fostering innovation and advancement in the field while ensuring safety and efficacy in biotechnological applications.
Some of the most important scientific work is being done in cleanrooms
A cleanroom is a room that has been designed to keep highly-specialized equipment extremely clean and exposed to as little as possible from the environment. Airborne particulates, most of which are too small to be seen by the human eye, can upset research that is years in the making. These particulates, such as dust (which is mostly dead human skin cells), airborne organisms (mostly viruses and bacteria), and other vaporized particles (such as pollen in the air), should be minimized as much as possible. This is where cleanroom cleaning comes into play.
SourceONE Building Maintenance is a commercial cleaning company based out of San Jose. We service commercial clients, including cleanroom clients, in the area. Being that this is the hub of Silicon Valley, we understand the innate importance of taking clean to this ultimate level. With a highly specialized cleaning staff who are extremely knowledgeable and experience in cleanroom protocols, we can help you with regular cleanroom services. Below, we’ll take an in-depth look at cleanrooms and the training required to clean them. Contact us today for your cleanroom cleaning needs!
HISTORY OF CLEANROOMS
As you can well imagine, cleanrooms haven’t been around all that long. If you are familiar with history, germs themselves weren’t even discovered or explained until 1850 with the work of Louis Pasteur. Prior to this period, people believed that foul odors created disease, or evil spirits. The basic idea of germs existed in the Middle Ages, but no one accepted it. With the improvements of the microscope in the late 1800s, germs, viruses, and bacteria were finally recognized and formally discovered as microorganisms that caused diseases in humans. Hygiene and sanitation were recognized for their importance in keeping humans safe from these harmful microorganisms, and gradually, practices were accepted in the early 20th century of sterile environments and cleanliness.
In 1960, the concept for a cleanroom was invented by physicist Willis Whitfield. By this time, computers had come along, as well as research into many types of diseases as well as cures for diseases, and contamination of the workspaces was becoming a big problem. Airflow and particles were upsetting research, so the idea of the modern cleanroom with constantly filtered airflow and extreme care of introducing contaminants arose.
Today, cleanrooms can be very large, and they are subject to very strict standards, depending on what is in the cleanroom. Usually, the outside air is filtered and cooled by several air handlers that are designed to remove dust and other contaminants. This air is then recirculated and filtered again. Special lighting is often installed to minimize the generation of airborne particles, and every item in the room is screened for efficiency. The air temperature and humidity inside the cleanroom is rigorously controlled. This not only protects the equipment, which can become extremely hot, but it cuts down on the growth of pathogens as well. Ionized bars may be present to control static electricity.
As you can see, cleanroom protocol is rigorous, intense, and specialized, meaning the staff who enter and leave must all be properly trained in order to maintain the cleanroom. SourceONE Building Maintenance invests heavily in training all of our staff for all of our customers’ different cleanrooms. When you partner with us in the San Jose area, you can rest assured that your cleanroom cleaning will be held to the highest standards. Contact us today to begin!
HOW TO KEEP A CLEANROOM CLEAN
As you can see, cleanrooms must be kept as clean as possible in order to continue to run efficiently and allow the researchers in the room the sterile environment they need to do their jobs. In 1999, the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) issued ratings for cleanrooms in order to better standardize the requirements across industries and sectors. Included in these ISO Ratings are the methods and materials that can be used in sanitizing and cleaning the cleanroom. The rating will establish which materials can be used. All cleanrooms require the cleaning materials of the commercial cleaning company to be reviewed before beginning.
CLEANROOM TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL
Maintaining a cleanroom all boils down to training for everyone who enters and leaves that room, including the cleaning staff. The vast majority of contaminants in a cleanroom come from those who enter and exit, making it extremely important to control these processes. The most common cleanroom contaminants include:
- Dust
- Liquids
- Bacteria
- Fungus
- Viruses
- Human skin cells and hair
- Moisture
- Spills
- Leaks
- Cosmetics
- Perfumes
- Lint
- Fibers
Fundamental is understanding each of our customers’ cleanrooms, what it is, how it functions, and what purpose it serves. In addition, it is essential to understand what type of contamination could cause problems in the cleanroom. This makes it easier to understand what contaminants are essential to eliminate while cleaning. This knowledge base of microorganisms and their living environment, particles to eliminate, how these contaminants more in a room and adhere to surfaces, and what can cause contamination of an environment is required of all of our cleanroom cleaning staff. We believe this will better serve our customers if our cleanroom cleaners know exactly what to be on the lookout for.
Protective Clothing
Almost all cleanrooms require the use of protective clothing in order to minimize the introduction of particulates by people entering and leaving a cleanroom. Many cleanrooms have airlocks (some with a shower) to further achieve the goal of minimizing the introduction of these bad guys into the sterile environment. Our cleanroom cleaning staff is trained on each of our customers’ needs and what protective clothing should be worn, such as masks, hoods, gloves, coveralls, boots, and the like.
In addition, it’s almost as important as what you don’t wear as to what you do wear in a cleanroom. Most cleanrooms have their own stipulations as to what is allowed and what is not. Some common items not to wear into a cleanroom include:
- Watches
- Jewelry
- Rings
- Hoodies
- Cosmetics
- Perfumes
- Nail polish
- Scented lotions
- Personal items such as keys, cigarettes, lighters, etc
CLEANROOM CLEANING PRODUCTS
Our cleanroom cleaning staff is trained on what exactly can and cannot be taken into a cleanroom. Our cleaning products for cleanrooms all meet the highest standards. We believe in the highest-quality green cleaning solutions for your cleanroom, which further reduces the contaminants that are introduced to your cleanroom. We adhere rigorously to your ISO rating for your cleanroom, and every cleaning product that we use has been tested and approved. All of our cleaning products contain chemicals that are non-ionic and neutral in chemical composition, satisfy GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) regulations, and they are non-foaming. For those cleanrooms that need sterilized products, we ensure that we use only those as well. Some specifics are below.
Vacuums
Vacuums must be chosen with care for cleanroom cleaning purposes. A vacuum purchased from your local wholesale store probably won’t cut it. Cleanroom vacuums must have HEPA filters that filter out the exhaust. Central vacuum cleaners are present in some cleanrooms, which is what we will use based on the customer’s particular needs. However, we prefer smaller vacuums that are portable so that we can reach the hard-to-reach places, such as behind the equipment and machinery, as well as reaching the ceilings, high walls, and for any stairs that may be present. Vacuuming a cleanroom takes care and diligence on the part of the cleanroom cleaners. All hoses, nozzles, and other attachments must be clean and in proper working order. Filters must be cleaned regularly. The material of the vacuum cleaner is taken into account as well; you don’t want your vacuum cleaner causing damage to a cleanroom through scrapes and dings. In the event of a chemical spill, normally our cleanroom cleaning staff will notify the on-duty chemical safety officer who will handle the cleanup. We do keep a hazardous materials vacuum on hand in case it is needed, and our cleanroom cleaning staff is thoroughly trained on the dangers of chemical spills, such as noxious fumes, fire danger, and a possible explosion. We have materials available for a chemical cleanup that does not involve a vacuum cleaner.
Cleaners Themselves
• Compatibility of cleaning product to equipment and machines in the cleanroom
• Compatibility of cleaning product to chemicals in the cleanroom
• Ensuring surfaces are cleaned but that there is no unwanted after effects of using the cleaning product that wouldn’t matter in a normal room, but would matter in a cleanroom. For example, IPA (isopropyl alcohol) is a highly-effective and popular cleaning agent in many household cleaners. However, it can leave behind a white, powdery film on unsealed vinyl floors that can quickly wreak havoc in a cleanroom.
• Compatibility of all ingredients. Some cleaning agents do contain minerals and microorganisms that are unacceptable in a cleanroom environment.
SourceONE Building Maintenance in San Jose takes pride in our cleanroom cleaning staff. All are extremely diligent about their work and take cleaning your cleanroom extremely seriously. They carefully follow all cleanroom protocols with the goal of delivering a superior job so that you can continue the work you are doing. Contact us today to get started!
Wipes
Wipes are used a lot in cleanroom cleaning merely because they are easy to use for a one-time clean and then throw away. That being said, not all wipes are created equal, and thus our wipes are selected for each cleanroom cleaning carefully, based on the type of cleanroom and its needs. We take into consideration the wipes’ particle-shedding capabilities, any residue on the wipes that could be left behind, and any static properties, among others.
Mops
Water
CLEANROOM CLEANING METHODS
It should go without saying, but cleaning a cleanroom requires extra special care and diligence. Once our cleanroom staff has been trained on the whys of your particular cleanroom and on the acceptable cleanroom cleaning products, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of the actual cleaning job itself.
Similar to the ISO 14644 standards, The Institute of Environmental Sciences (IEST) WG 18 Cleanroom Housekeeping defines the cleanroom standards for cleaning and disinfecting cleanrooms. This document is intended as a guide for cleanroom cleaning procedures for overall contamination control. In addition, there are test procedures for the frequency of cleanings, as well as how to measure the effectiveness of your cleanings. SourceONE Building Maintenance uses this guide for all of our cleanroom cleanings in the San Jose area. Below is a snapshot of some of the IEST’s recommendations.
Walls
Walls are one of the most frequently overlooked areas to clean, and are thus, one of the dirtiest. Yet, bacteria and viruses love to cling to any surface, including walls. The IEST recommends that you vacuum the walls with a soft brush attachment to remove allergens, and then use an approved mop and wipe to clean and disinfect. It is recommended that the cleanroom cleaner go top to bottom on all surfaces, being extremely careful not to splash liquids anywhere or drip on machinery or other instruments.
Glass
An approved glass cleanroom glass cleaner with the appropriate wipe is recommended for cleanroom cleaning of all glass surfaces, excepting any glass on instruments. Polyester wipes work well here.
Floors
Floors must be vacuumed to remove any dirt. IEST recommends that you vacuum the dirtiest areas first and then you vacuum from the back of the room towards the front. Once the surface dirt has been removed, you will use the approved water and cleanroom disinfectant and cleaner on the floors. If a mop is used, make sure it is lint-free and clean. The water in your mop bucket should be changed every 400 square feet in order to prevent cross-contamination.
The floor in your cleanroom is the one area you want to spend more time on than others because in all reality it is the dirtiest and most prone to contamination. If you think about it, whatever contaminants people bring in either are on their shoes or clothing and will fall to the floor, which is then stirred up repeatedly as people walk by. The flooring in your cleanroom should be as clean as possible.
Equipment in the Cleanroom
These cleaning procedures will vary with every cleanroom. In some cleanrooms, special technicians are hired to clean the equipment. In others, we will handle the cleanroom equipment cleaning with guidance from the owners. All of our cleaning room equipment cleaning supplies are checked for compatibility with an emphasis on removing contaminants. Most often, wipes of some type are used. We clean from top to bottom and from back to front.
Ceiling and Lights
Both ceiling and lights are popular places for dust and other contaminants to hang out because they are in out-of-the-way places. However, they are also very likely to fall and contaminate other areas, especially from the ventilation system. Thus, ceiling panels should be vacuumed with a soft brush and wiped down with appropriate materials. Approved commercial cleaners with a recommended polyester wipe work great for ceilings. The same protocols should be used for lighting and light fixtures as well.
Drains
Surprisingly, cleaning drains is an intricate and involved process that should be done carefully as they are areas ripe for cross-contamination. SourceONE Building Maintenance recommends removing the grates and the screens and soaking them in a disinfectant solution for a spell. While those are soaking, you can clean the area around the drain. It’s best to use wipes because they are easy to dispose of. We recommend you pour the cleaning solution down the drain and then wipe the upper rim, being careful not to touch any of the surfaces while doing so. Then remove the grate and the screens, and replace them back in place.
SourceONE Building Maintenance in San Jose takes great pride in training our cleanroom cleaning staff in all aspects of cleanroom management, including the proper methods of cleaning in order to remove as many contaminants as possible and in order to avoid cross-contamination. Our goal is your goal: to ensure your cleanroom stays clean. Call us today for a free cleanroom cleaning quote!
CLEANROOM CLEANING PRODUCTS
Our cleanroom cleaning staff is trained on what exactly can and cannot be taken into a cleanroom. Our cleaning products for cleanrooms all meet the highest standards. We believe in the highest-quality green cleaning solutions for your cleanroom, which further reduces the contaminants that are introduced to your cleanroom. We adhere rigorously to your ISO rating for your cleanroom, and every cleaning product that we use has been tested and approved. All of our cleaning products contain chemicals that are non-ionic and neutral in chemical composition, satisfy GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) regulations, and they are non-foaming. For those cleanrooms that need sterilized products, we ensure that we use only those as well. Some specifics are below.
SourceONE-CE is run by cleanroom specialists who:
- Understand cleanrooms and clean manufacturing
- Have vast experience, expertise and proven track record of outstanding service to our customers’ critical environments
- Focus on customer product and process protection
- Play a vital role on customer quality team’s
- Provide unmatched contamination control employee training
- Have an outstanding safety program
- Practice the strictest screening and hiring standards
SourceONE-CE maintains various types of cleanroom and production environments, including:
- Bio-pharmaceutical
- Semiconductor/Microelectronics
- Medical Devices
- Nanotechnology
SourceONE-CE provides the following services:
- Sterile environments (Bio-Pharmaceutical & Bio-containment Labs)
- Engineered cleanroom cleaning programs
- SOP writing – Compliant with cGMP’s,
- Gown Room management
- Protocol design, training, and enforcement
- Non-sterile environments
- Engineered cleanroom cleaning programs
- SOP writing – Compliant with federal & international standards
- Engineered cleanroom cleaning programs
- SOP writing – Compliant with federal & international standards
- Clean build & post-construction cleaning
- Gown Room management
- Data center/ESD cleaning
Quality Assurance
SourceONE-CE’s approach to Quality Assurance incorporates personnel, equipment, extensive training and industry expertise to guarantee that our client’s facilities meet or exceed the regulations set forth by ISO or by the FDA.
Personnel
All SourceONE-CE cleanroom technicians are thoroughly screened. We recruit highly motivated, responsible individuals who take pride in the work they do.
Equipment
SourceONE-CE has formed alliances with the nation’s leading suppliers of cleanroom equipment. Highly specialized tools and equipment are selected based on the SOPs of the given environments.
Training
All SourceONE-CE employees are required to complete specific training regimens before entering a critical environment.
All technicians are trained on cleanroom protocol, safety, security, cleaning techniques and client specific procedures.
For over 20 years, SourceONE Building Maintenance has been your source for all types of commercial cleaning, including cleanroom cleaning, in the San Jose area. We work with customers in all professions, from doctors and dentists to lawyers and accountants. Our industrial clients include corporate office buildings, warehouses, manufacturing clients, biotech and pharmaceutical, educational spaces, such as college campuses, and government and defense contractors.
We have a stellar reputation for quality and for professionalism, meaning we don’t gossip about our clients. All of our employees must pass a rigorous background check process, and then undergo lots of training for our specialty and cleanroom jobs. Our mission is to be the commercial cleaning service you can rely on, no matter the complexity of your cleaning needs. We aim to go above and beyond your expectations every time. We value our customers, execution, integrity, innovation, teamwork, and results. We allow our reliable commercial cleaning services to speak for themselves. Call SourceONE Building Maintenance in San Jose today!
Contact SourceONE
SourceONE Building Maintenance, Inc. Corporate Headquarters
2974 Scott Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Phone: 408-437-3046