Customer-specific wiping systems for cleaning and disinfection in cleanrooms

Clino CR 1-2, ©pps

Clino CR 1 EM, apps

System cart Clino CR9, ©pps

System wagon CR 1 GMP, ©pps

Economical, autoclaveable, suitable for cleanrooms and thus no source of particles, high surface area and efficiency, space-saving, validated process, ergonomic and easy to operate – depending on perspective and responsibility, product and the resulting cleanliness class, as well as regulations, different requirements are placed on a wiping system for use in cleanrooms. Operational conditions such as room size, structural features, and quality-related specifications like process safety and effectiveness, as well as preferences such as user-friendliness and ergonomics, complement the requirements for a company-specific wiping system.

Requirements

Initially considering the different cleanliness classes (ISO and/or GMP) and their requirements [Tables 1 and 2], the cleanrooms of various industry sectors can be divided into three groups:
- Group 1: technical cleanrooms (e.g., semiconductor industry, microelectronics, precision mechanics, nanotechnology)
- Group 2: pharmaceutical GMP areas including sterile zones and production areas of sensitive medical devices
- Group 3: areas where a certain level of safety is required but do not have to meet pharmaceutical GMP standards (e.g., medical technology, dietary supplements, cosmetic industry)
All groups share the demands for effectiveness, process safety, cost-efficiency, and user-friendliness. Specific operational requirements may vary due to spatial conditions.

Customer-Oriented Solution

The company Pfennig Cleaning Technology GmbH, which supplies equipment and textiles in all cleanliness classes according to ISO and GMP, has developed a modular system. All systems and components can be assembled according to specific customer requirements and, if desired, exchanged or supplemented. Besides compliance with cleanliness classes, all systems offer high user-friendliness, demonstrated through clearly structured workflows, easy operation, and ergonomics, as well as high safety in implementation. Competent consulting and practical training enable a company-specific implementation, tailored to the respective operational particularities.

The following system families are available:
- System trolley family for technical areas, which possess all application advantages but are not autoclaveable: base frame, attachments, handles, and flat presses made of stainless steel, while buckets are made of polypropylene. The latter can be replaced with stainless steel buckets at any time for higher requirements.
- System trolley family for GMP areas including sterile zones: specially developed for cleanroom use, extensively evaluated and qualified. Fully made of stainless steel, GMP-compliant, and autoclaveable.
- System trolley family for areas where a certain level of safety is required: frames and flat presses made of stainless steel, buckets and handles made of polypropylene.

Pfennig Cleaning Technology GmbH will be represented at the Lounges 2013 from February 5 to 7, 2013, in Karlsruhe, and will present the described wiping systems at stand No. L 1.1, Hall 3. In his lecture titled "Specific Requirements for Wiping Systems in the Cleanroom" on February 7, 2012, starting at 2:30 PM, Room 11, Hall 3, Mr. Dietmar Pfennig, Managing Director of Pfennig Cleaning Technology GmbH, will address current developments in this area.

Table 1: Requirements for equipment and textiles for cleanrooms [Sources: DIN EN ISO 14644-5; VDI 2083, Sheet 5.1 and 8]

Table 2: Requirements for equipment and textiles for cleaning and disinfection in GMP areas [Sources: EU-GMP Guidelines, DIN EN ISO 14644-5; VDI 2083, Sheet 5.1 and 8]