At Vernick & Associates, we install all aspects of cleanrooms, from top to bottom—and that includes flooring. When it comes to choosing a cleanroom floor, there are lots of factors to consider, as with every area of constructing cleanrooms.
The cleanroom flooring you will choose requires careful thought about the materials and your specific needs. When it comes to cleanrooms that deal with biologicals, food, and pharmaceuticals, stopping bacteria and microorganisms from growing is critical. This is why the flooring is so important—you must select flooring that doesn’t allow microorganisms to hide, breed, and spread. This means flooring with no cracks or holes.
Likewise, having a floor surface that doesn’t easily collect dust in a cleanroom is vital, especially with the manufacturing of electronics. A good cleanroom floor should protect against wear and impact damage as well as contribute to the room’s overall cleanliness.
Along with not having holes/cracks, protection against wear and damage, and cleanliness, the criteria of strong cleanroom flooring are:
- Minimum particles released into the airstream.
- Slip resistance.
- Electrical conductivity or electrostatic dissipation.
There are several options when it comes to cleanroom flooring, but the two most common types are sheet vinyl and epoxy flooring. Sheet vinyl is installed by laying the sheeting down on top of the actual floor, and epoxy flooring is a poured resin that creates a seamless and extremely durable surface.
So which one is better? What are the pros and cons of each?
Vinyl Sheet Flooring PROS:
- Continuous floor surface
- Easy to clean
- Level and smooth
- Releases no particles into the air
- Popular for pharmaceutical applications
- Popular for smaller cleanrooms
- Can be “coved up” the walls and corners for added cleanliness
Vinyl Sheet Flooring CONS:
- If the room is bigger than the width of the rolled sheets, there will be a seam which will be attractive to microorganisms
- Does not hold up under repeated heavy traffic
- Not very chemically resistant
Epoxy Flooring PROS:
- Easy to maintain
- Extremely durable
- Prevents moisture and contaminants
- Chemical-resistant
- Very slip resistant
- Releases no particles into the air
- Visually appealing (different colors available)
Epoxy Flooring CONS:
- Chipping a common issue
- Moisture can become trapped underneath it
- Have a strong ammonia smell after installation
- Preparing the existing floor for installation takes a lot of effort
- Takes several days to dry
- Must be installed EXACTLY right, or else it will not last as long as it should
As you can see, there are pros and cons to both flooring options. At Vernick & Associates, we will be happy to help you determine which type of flooring best suits your specific cleanroom needs. We are cleanroom installation professionals who provide Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, OH, and the surrounding Midwest regions with the best in custom-built cleanroom and controlled environment spaces. To learn more, contact us today, or call us at (216) 373-2330.