What is a Hybrid Cleanroom?

A hybrid cleanroom is a cleanroom that uses multiple cleanroom wall systems. Hybrid cleanroom systems are often used to reduce project cost by utilizing existing standard construction walls.  Cleanroom wall systems that are often used include: modular cleanroom walls, standard construction cleanroom walls, and clear vinyl softwall material.

Modular walls offer quick, clean construction, an easy way to expand an existing standard construction cleanroom. Applications include modular dividing walls, return air walls, and addition of ante room or gown rooms.

Epoxy painting existing standard construction walls and adding new modular walls can save customer money in construction of new cleanroom.

In some applications – clear vinyl softwall can be used to create ISO-8 hybrid cleanrooms. These rooms are typically one pass design. Advantages include lower cost and quick installation. Disadvantages include no measurable positive pressure, these rooms are restricted to one pass design,  and these rooms can only be used for lower cleanroom classifications.

Sometimes softwall dividers are used in modular cleanrooms to segregate air flow but still allow operator visibility into other area, thus creating a hybrid cleanroom.

In food cleanrooms, it is common to a clear vinyl strip curtain wall to allow operators to easily move pallets of product into and out of cleanroom. These cleanrooms are typically ISO-8 one pass. The modular walls are easier to clean and give better particle control than a 100% softwall cleanroom. 

Summary: Hybrid cleanrooms are cleanrooms built combining multiple wall systems including modular cleanroom wall systems, standard construction walls and clear vinyl softwall.  Advantages of hybrid cleanrooms are lower cost and quicker installation. Common applications are cleanroom dividing walls, return air walls, or addition of ante-rooms or gown rooms. Hybrid cleanrooms are typically only used for lower class cleanrooms.