Published on: August 01, 2026 by RARA Engineering Team
Controlled environments like cleanrooms require meticulous planning at every level. While high-efficiency HEPA filters and laminar airflow systems manage airborne particle thresholds, the actual physical structures within the room—like tables, benches, and lockers—have a profound impact on maintaining sterile conditions.
Under cGMP regulations, cleanroom furniture must be custom-fabricated to minimize dust accumulation, stand up to aggressive chemical cleaning agents, and prevent bacterial growth. Below, we discuss the essential engineering factors that must be met:
1. Material Selection (Grade SS304 vs SS316)
Stainless steel is the industry standard for cleanroom design due to its toughness and corrosion resistance.
- SS304: Ideal for general cleanroom settings, changing areas, and dynamic pass boxes where moisture exposure is low.
- SS316/316L: Required in active process zones or liquid-handling bays. It contains molybdenum, which offers higher resistance to chlorides, saline, and acidic sanitization solutions.
2. Hygienic Geometry & Welds
Standard industrial furniture often features joints, open crevices, and sharp corners. In a cleanroom, these act as pockets where dust accumulates and bacteria multiply. RARA cleanroom furniture is built with the following parameters:
- Sloping Tops: Locker cabinets and cupboards feature a 15 to 30-degree sloping top to prevent dust from settling and prevent personnel from placing objects on top.
- Radius Corners: Inside corners of tables or lockers are rounded (radius corners) to allow easy sanitization.
- Crevice-free TIG Welds: All joints are continuously welded using Argon (TIG) technology, ground completely flush, and polished. Open seams are strictly avoided.
3. Electropolished Finishes
Even high-quality stainless steel sheets have microscopic grooves and peaks from the rolling mill. Electropolishing chemically removes these peaks, creating a microscopically flat, smooth surface. It reduces the surface roughness value (Ra) to below 0.4 μm, making it extremely difficult for microscopic particles to adhere.
By implementing these rules in your cleanroom layouts, you can ensure smooth regulatory audits and maintain reliable contamination-free workflows.