Difference Between Passbox and Airlock

Air locks and passboxes are both crucial elements of cleanroom architecture, although they have different functions and characteristics.

Passboxes and Air locks are primarily distinguished by their sizes and uses in clean room application. Air locks are bigger and are used to manage the passage of people and larger things into and out of the cleanroom, whereas passboxes are smaller and are primarily used to transfer small items into and out of the cleanroom.

A passbox is a transfer chamber that is used in cleanroom settings to restrict the passage of people and goods into and out of the cleanroom to prevent contamination. Utilizing a Passbox in a cleanroom setting primarily serves to reduce the entrance of pollutants and maintain a regulated degree of cleanliness. By lowering the chance of contamination, this contributes to maintaining the integrity of delicate processes including the creation of electronics, drugs, and biological goods. By lowering the frequency of gowning and undressing operations and limiting air interaction between the cleanroom and the surrounding area, utilising a Passbox can further increase operational efficiency.

Without jeopardising the integrity of the cleanroom environment, items and equipment are moved into and out of a cleanroom using passboxes, which are compact, enclosed spaces. It is often found near the cleanroom’s entry and is made to reduce the number of particles that enter the space. Small objects like samples, paperwork, and equipment are frequently moved between the cleanroom and a nearby location using passboxes. Additionally, they are utilised to move goods into and out of the cleanroom without requiring employees to do so, lowering the risk of contamination.

Passboxes are frequently composed of Stainless steel, Galvanized or PVC and may have an anti-static or anti-microbial coating. They may also be built with UV lamps to destroy microbes, as well as HEPA filters to eliminate airborne contaminants. Passboxes also include interlocking doors, which minimise the chance of contamination by preventing both doors from being open at the same time.

To manage the movement of person and goods into and out of a cleanroom, on the other hand, an air lock is a bigger, contained environment. An air lock is a device that separates the cleanroom from the outside world and frequently contains two or more doors. Larger things like equipment and supplies, as well as people entering and exiting the cleanroom, are frequently moved into and out of the space via air locks.

Airlocks are used in cleanroom environments to provide a controlled and sealed transition between different cleanliness zones, helping to maintain the integrity of the controlled environment. The main benefits of using airlocks in cleanrooms include:

1. Contamination control: Airlocks help to minimize the introduction of contaminants into the cleanroom by providing a physical barrier between the cleanroom and the surrounding environment.
2. Efficient gowning procedures: Airlocks can facilitate a more efficient gowning procedure by reducing the need for frequent gowning and un-gowning procedures, reducing the amount of time spent in the gowning area and minimizing the risk of contamination.
3. Reduced air exchange: Airlocks reduce the amount of air exchange between the cleanroom and the surrounding environment, helping to maintain a controlled level of cleanliness and prevent the introduction of contaminants.
4. Improved process integrity: By maintaining a controlled level of cleanliness and reducing the risk of contamination, airlocks help to improve the integrity of sensitive processes, such as the production of electronics, pharmaceuticals, and biological products.

It’s crucial to remember that passboxes and air locks are necessary to preserve the cleanroom’s integrity and prevent contamination. Air locks are normally found at the facility door, whereas passboxes are often found at the cleanroom entry. Both kinds of constructions must be created, maintained, and repaired in accordance with applicable rules and laws.

In conclusion, air locks and passboxes are critical elements of clean room architecture. Passboxes are compact, enclosed areas used for bringing and taking away equipment and supplies from a cleanroom without jeopardizing the environment’s integrity. Contrarily, air locks are bigger, enclosed areas used to regulate the movement of persons and goods into and out of a cleanroom. Both are essential to ensuring a contaminant-free environment and must be created, built, and maintained in accordance with all applicable rules and regulations.