Cleanroom chair
A cleanroom chair is a special type of chair that was developed for use in clean rooms . There are special features compared to normal industrial chairs, on the one hand, in the hygienic design, through which contamination is to be prevented, and, on the other hand, in the mostly incorporated ESD protection .
Requirements for the cleanroom chair
Like all furniture in a cleanroom, cleanroom chairs are subject to strict regulations. In this context, the DIN EN ISO 14644-1 standard is particularly relevant. It defines nine different clean room classes and determines how many particles of what size can be in one cubic meter of air. There are also regulations for the technical design of seating furniture, work surfaces and other objects.
In many cases, comprehensive ESD protection is also required. The DIN EN 61340-5-1 standard lists detailed requirements on how to ensure reliable and effective electrostatic discharge on seating furniture, among other things.
Properties of cleanroom chairs
The special features of the cleanroom chairs are usually not recognizable at first glance. In particular, the upholstered seats and backrests are provided with an airtight cover so that particles have no way of getting stuck there. This means that they cannot be released into the ambient air by jerky movements by the user.
The same applies to the chair mechanics. The adjustment levers are designed in such a way that they also offer no possibility of particle deposition. Feet, castors, armrests and other accessories are also made of materials that are abrasion-resistant and therefore do not release any particles into the ambient air.
If the property is also required to avoid electrostatic charges as much as possible or, if necessary, to dissipate them, further properties are characteristic.
Common materials for cleanroom chairs
Typical upper materials are synthetic leather and plastics that are firmly glued to the upholstery:
- Integral foam : Integral foam is used in working environments in which aggressive chemicals and substances such as oils, fats, chips, acids or alkalis are used, or in which there are flying sparks or temporarily increased humidity. Integral foam surfaces are easy to clean and also robust against external influences, for example from sharp-edged objects.
- Synthetic leather : Synthetic leather is the first choice for cleanrooms. The surfaces are easy to clean and the upholstery offers good seating comfort. In contrast to integral skin foam, artificial leather is fully suitable for use in clean rooms.