Sources of contamination
- ✓External — outside air infiltration, delivery activity, adjacent construction
- ✓Internal — people (skin flakes, fiber shedding), tools, packaging
- ✓Systemic — zinc whiskers, cable jacket dust, insulation deterioration
- ✓Event-based — moves/adds/changes, flood, fire, HVAC failure
Zoning discipline
Cleanliness improves as you move deeper into the facility. Each zone transition requires a hand-off protocol: shed street contamination, pick up dedicated tools, don additional PPE. We enforce this on every engagement, and we train your janitorial team on the same model if requested.
PPE and gowning by zone
| Zone | Footwear | Body | Head/face | Gloves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 dock | Standard work boots | Uniform | None | As needed |
| Zone 3 vestibule | Shoe covers | Uniform | None | Nitrile |
| Zone 2 corridor | ESD heel straps | Lint-free coverall | Optional cap | Nitrile |
| Zone 1 white space | ESD shoes or dedicated covers | Lint-free coverall | Bouffant cap | Nitrile, ESD-safe |
Particulate targets we monitor
- ✓≥ 0.5 μm particles / m³ — ISO 14644-1 Class 8 baseline
- ✓ANSI/ISA-71.04 G1 gaseous contamination readings
- ✓Surface ATP (bioluminescence) for admin and NOC areas
- ✓Humidity and temperature logs during service window
Every door opened during service is a positive-pressure breach. We stage tool moves through the vestibule, minimize corridor traffic, and never prop doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need a dedicated gowning room?
Not required for Class 8 operations — a properly organized vestibule with defined 'dirty' and 'clean' sides is sufficient.
How do you handle contamination during add/move/change work?
We can provide a dedicated post-MAC cleanup crew that follows behind cabling or hardware installers and returns the room to particulate baseline before it re-enters production.
What about outside air infiltration from adjacent construction?
Escalate to your facilities team and consider temporary HEPA scrubbers and door-seal enhancements. We can supply both on request.
Can you train our internal janitorial staff?
Yes — half-day workshops are available covering zoning, PPE, tool discipline, and documentation.