What to Look For When Evaluating Modular Clean Room Manufacturers

Flourishing biotech, cannabis and urban farming industries are among those that have boosted the demand for modular clean rooms. 

Requiring protection from exposure to potential contaminants, labs in these industries have turned to modular or portable clean rooms after experiencing quick growth and needing a quick solution. Yet modular cleanrooms offer an additional benefit and that comes in the form of a low-cost alternative to traditional clean rooms, which can be significantly more expensive. 

For industries that have experienced rapid expansion or limited budgets, portable clean rooms have been an effective solution. If your laboratory or business is in the same situation, these spaces can be a viable option. 

However, it’s important to take the time to evaluate modular clean room manufacturers to ensure you’re getting a high-quality product. If your lab or manufacturing space relies on a clean environment, free of potential contaminations, partnering with the right manufacturer is critical. 

Here is a list of 6 criteria that you should consider when performing your evaluation:

1. Knowledge and experience
2. Quality manufacturing
3. Acceptable manufacturing lead times
4. Top design and customer service
5. Customization opportunities
6. Price within your budget

Knowledge and Experience

Clean rooms are classified by the cleanliness of the air. The USA clean room classification standards require specific particle count measurements and calculations to classify the cleanliness level of a clean room or clean area. In addition, certain ISO classes require specific particle count standards.

It’s important to know your classification when evaluating how to implement clean room standards. In the United States and Canada, the primary authority is the International Standards Organization (ISO) classification system, ISO 14644-1. 

Clean room classes included in this system include ISO 1 through ISO 9, with ISO 1 the cleanest and ISO 9 the least clean. It’s important to note that even with the “dirtiest” class, it’s still much cleaner than a regular space. Of these, ISO 7 and 8 are the most common. 

The more clean a room is, the more expensive it is to create and maintain it with the necessary equipment. The wrong specification could lead to you spending too much money on a clean room you don’t need or a clean room that doesn’t fully protect your environment.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) can also assist you in determining which classification you should follow for your industry and product. In determining this, you should know:

• Your sources of contamination
• The size of particles you’ll need to filter out
• The amount of air you’ll need to circulate to remove the contamination

A knowledgeable clean room manufacturer will work with you to determine which type of clean room meets the standards required for your lab’s application.

Quality Manufacturing

While modular clean rooms are more cost effective than permanent ones for most companies, they can still cost you a minimum of $10,000. In most cases, companies expect them to last at least 10 to 15 years or more.

Purchasing a quality product is the only way you can get this type of life span, especially if it is going to have high usage.

American-manufactured products are known to be made according to higher standards. When you purchase cheaply made imported products, you are subjecting yourself to lower quality products that may not last as long and end up costing you more in the long run.

How do you ensure your manufacturer is providing a quality product?

It is important to ask cleanroom manufacturers how it is designed and about the standards they are using to manufacture the product. You can ask about the gauge of steel being used, the quality of the enclosure material, brand of filter they provide and how it is constructed.

See if you can look at the product onsite at one of their existing customers’ facilities. That is a great way to look at the quality and how it is holding up, as well as gives you a chance to talk to a customer about how they like the product.

Acceptable Manufacturing Lead Time

Time is always an important factor you should consider when choosing a modular clean room manufacturer. How long you have to wait for your clean room could impact your operation. 

Most portable clean rooms are made to order, so you have to allow for the time it takes from the release of your order to production of your product. Companies often overlook the shipment time.  

Ordering from a domestic clean room manufacturer can also impact lead times. If your product is on the other side of the world, it could add additional shipment time, depending on time of year, customs and weather conditions. 

If you are working on a tight deadline, having a manufacturer that can work with you on lead time could become a major issue in who you select.

Top Design and Customer Service

Projects often have parameters that impact the design of your clean room. Factors like available space, budget and required particle specifications need to be taken into account.

A manufacturer that works with you to meet your needs is very important. How much time and attention that they put into the design process is usually an indication of the level of customer service you will receive after installation.

One way to evaluate service is to ask for references of past clients and take the time to speak to them about their experience.

Another indication of top customer service is how the company ships its products. More care is usually taken if a manufacturer delivers its product using their own truck or a trucking company that they frequently use.

When a product is shipped into a different state or across country, common carriers are often used. If your order isn’t large enough to fill the entire truck, the trucking company will pick up products from other companies to make the trip financially feasible.

It is important in these situations that the manufacturer packages a product so that it is protected on that truck. Ask the manufacturer how it packages its products and about insurance. A red flag is limited insurance coverage during transport.

Customization Opportunities

No two companies are alike, so a mass-produced modular clean room may not work for your company’s needs. 

A quality manufacturer will have the technology and ability to manufacture custom products at a reasonable price. This includes custom sizes, special materials or unique technical features.

It is important to make sure that your manufacturing partner has the engineering capability to meet your custom requirements. Quality manufacturers have the ability to produce large quantities of products, while also changing their designs to produce a unique product for your specific project.

• Customizations for a modular clean room may include:
• HVAC systems and hepa filters
• Wall panels and floor materials
• Lab countertops
• Electrical and data outlets
• Workbench specifications (such as if you need an industrial ESD workbench)
• Safety features
• Fume hood design

With any manufacturer you are considering, discuss their capabilities before you place your order.  

Price Within Your Budget

Traditional vs. portable clean room cost is always one of the top considerations you’ll have to weigh. A traditional clean room, also known as a hardwall clean room, can cost as much as $1,500 per square foot. Modular clean rooms, also known as softwall cleanrooms, typically run between $100 and $150 per square foot.

That’s a big difference in price, so it’s important to work with a clean room manufacturer that understands your budget and your needs, and can help match both with the right clean room for your space.

It’s important to remember that the old adage, “you get what you pay for, is also true. A high-quality manufacturer is more likely to produce a high-quality product. When it comes to buying specialty products like cleanroom systems, you don’t want to pay a cheap price and then find out that the quality of the filters being used don’t meet the particle standards or the structural integrity of your clean room isn’t good.

On the other hand, if a manufacturer is charging an unreasonably high amount of money, then it is worth getting another quote.

Keep in mind what we discussed above about cost as well, and how several factors can impact your final true price tag, from the quality of the products to transportation and shipping.

If your company is looking to purchase a portable clean room, taking into consideration overall cost, as well as the other criteria above, will help you select a modular clean room manufacturer that provides a top-quality product, meets your needs and is within your budget.