ISO 14644-14: Assessment of suitability for use of equipment by airborne particle concentration

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL (October 3, 2016) – The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) announces the availability of a new ISO 14644 series cleanroom standard that specifies a methodology to assess equipment suitability with respect to airborne particle cleanliness. ISO 14644-14, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments—Part 14: Assessment of suitability for use of equipment by airborne particle concentration is now available through the IEST online bookstore.

IEST serves as the Secretariat for ISO Technical Committee (ISO/TC) 209, Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments, which is responsible for the development of standards related to the control of contamination to levels appropriate for accomplishing contamination-sensitive activities. ISO 14644-14 links the cleanroom classifications found in the landmark ISO 14644-1:2015, Classification of air cleanliness by particle concentration to the suitability of equipment (e.g., machinery, measuring and process components and tools) for use in cleanrooms and associated controlled environments.

Before an assessment can be executed, the customer and supplier must agree upon the particle size range(s) designated by the relevant ISO Class given in ISO 14644-1 and the test item, including mode of operation. The document provides both an assessment procedure and documentation requirements. Informative annexes provide an example including calculations regarding establishing reference to ISO 14644-1, Table 1 – ISO Classes of air cleanliness by particle concentration, as well as additional optional tests to obtain information regarding impact on processes and the adjacent environment.

ISO Standards and IEST Recommended Practices for cleanrooms and controlled environments are available through IEST at http://www.iest.org.