Many choices exist, it's up to you to find the proper fit
by Laureen Belleville
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When designing a cleanroom, the big issues that immediately come to mind include cost, cleanliness rating and efficiency. But when you consider the fact that the cleanroom industry is fragmented into more than 100,000 elements, that overall design task can seem daunting.
The furniture used therein—encompassing the gamut from cabinets, carts and chairs to tables and wastebaskets—has to maintain appropriate levels of purity. That is, its properties cannot pose any threat to the integrity of the cleanroom environment. Further, these items must often be able to withstand cleaning regimens without degradation.
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Many industries, including pharmaceutical and microelectronics, for example, specify items composed of electropolished stainless steel or certain plastics. High-grade stainless steel is a popular choice for its inherent qualities of durability, chemical resistance, cleanliness and conductivity.
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The product choices within the furniture categories are numerous. Do some homework to ensure that your next purchase suits your particular needs. The chart below lists the cleanroom furniture manufacturers and the variety of pieces they produce.
In 1999, the size of the cleanroom furniture, bench and workstation market was estimated to be approximately $106 million, according to the Frost & Sullivan cleanrooms market report. By the end of 2002, that market is projected to hit $144 million, with the main market driver being the continued push of cleanroom construction as well as the adaptation of cleanroom technology into new arenas. Garment storage cabinets and stainless-steel benches (right) are key capital expenses in most cleanroom construction.
- DISTRIBUTORS OF CLEANROOM FURNITURE
- Benchmark Products Inc.: Highwood, IL, Tel:847-433-3500 Fax: 847-433-3545 www.benchmarkprods.com
- Cameron & Barkley Co.: Minneapolis, MN, Tel: 612-387-7300, Fax: 612-623-9038, www.cambar.com
- Connecticut Clean Room Corp.: Bristol, CT, Tel:860-589-0049, Fax: 860-585-7355, www.connecticutcleanromm.com
- Hal Sharpe Assoc. Inc.: Chico, CA, Tel: 530-899-1555, Fax: 530-899-1559, www.halsharpe.com
- Innotech Products Inc.: Minneapolis, MN, Tel: 888-270-0458, Fax: 612-827-6880, www.innotechprod.com
- Liberty Industries: East Berlin, CT, 800-828-5656. Fax: 860-828-8879, www.Libertyind.com
- Metron Technology: Basingstoke, United Kingdom RG22 6HY, Tel: 44-1256-792-000, Fax: 44-1256-792-033, www.metrontech.com
- Micro Equipment Company: Hilsboro, OR, Tel: 800-552-4117, Fax: 503-439-8257, www.microeq.com
- Prudential Cleanroom Services: Irvine, CA, Tel: 800-CLASS-10, Fax: 949-261-1947, www.pcs-clean.com
- Terra Universal Inc.: Anaheim, CA, Tel: 714-526-0100, Fax: 714-992-2179, www.terrauniversal.com
- Te Tech, LLC: Fremont, CA, Tel: 510-770-8610, Fax: 510-770-8611
- Ultrapure Technology: Suwanee, GA, Tel: 800-932-0309, Fax: 770-932-0809, www.ultrapuretechnology.com
- VWR International: West Chester, PA, Tel: 610-431-1700 Fax: 610-918-0310
 Manufacturers of Cleanroom Furniture |
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 Manufacturers of Cleanroom Furniture (con’t) |
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