Question 1

How often do I change the pre-filters in my HEPA units?

Accepted Answer

The pre-filters in your HEPA unit catch the larger particles in the air, what’s referred to as “hardballs and softballs.” They do the heavy work. Generally, the pre-filters should be changed every three to six months. It is important to consider your environment in determining the frequency.

If your cleanroom sits in the middle of a warehouse or manufacturing area, your changing cycle is closer to three months, or maybe even more frequently. If your cleanroom sits in a pharmacy area, the environment will be cleaner. You can increase your change cycle to as long as six months.

Question 2

Can I use pre-filters from a hardware store or other retailer?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use filters purchased from one of these outlets. We suggest you consult with a sales representative at the retailer and rely on a brand name filter. This may cost you a little more, but it is worth the investment. It is also important to make sure you get the right size and fit of pre-filter for your HEPA.

Question 3

How often do I replace the HEPA media?

Accepted Answer

Again, it depends on your environment, but we suggest every five to seven years.

Question 4

Are your rooms ADA compliant?

Accepted Answer

Again, it depends on your environment, but we suggest every five to seven years.

Question 5

Do you offer hands-free hardware?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer ADA compliant, hands-free hardware for opening doors and other passages.

Question 6

Do you offer floor coving in your cleanrooms and enclosures?

Accepted Answer

Simplex cleanrooms will accommodate coving. For best results, let us know in advance. This allows us to make alterations to the wall frame for optimal efficiency in your coving.

Question 7

Do I need to have the cleanroom certified?

Accepted Answer

You need to have your cleanroom certified to the level required by the type of manufacturing or procedures that are performed in it. If the product you are manufacturing is regulated by a government agency, or you are contracting with a private firm that requires a certain level of clean manufacturing, they should have the cleanroom standards already documented.

Cleanroom certification is done through a contractor who is licensed to certify cleanrooms. These tests might include airborne particle counts, airflow velocity, airflow volumes, and other procedures.

Question 8

Can I turn off my HEPA filters at night and when the cleanroom is not in use?

Accepted Answer

If you turn off your HEPA filters, then you cannot use the cleanroom until you have done a complete clean, and depending on the level of cleanliness required in your room, this might entail bringing in an outside service. If your cleanroom is going to be unoccupied, at night or on weekends, then leave the filters on at their low setting.

Question 9

Can I change my HEPA filters from inside the room?

Accepted Answer

Our standard HEPA filters allow for changing the media from the outside of the room. Some cleanroom managers prefer HEPAs designed for changing the media from the inside. We can offer HEPAs with this feature. Be sure to ask your sales rep if this is your preference.

Question 10

What is the temperature range for standard strips, and other materials?

Accepted Answer

Simplex standard strip doors have a temperature range from 140 degrees down to 20 degrees F. Simplex USDA Low-Temp strips go from 150 degrees F. down to -30 degrees F. Simplex Super Low-Temp strips go from 150 degrees F to -40 degrees F.

Question 11

What does USDA mean when you refer to strips?

Accepted Answer

A USDA designation means that the strips can come in direct contact with raw food. Simplex USDA Low-Temp strips can come into contact with raw food because they are USDA-approved.

Question 12

What is the difference between hook-bead mounting and your standard round-bead mounting bars?

Accepted Answer

Simplex Hook-Bead mounting bars were developed for long runs of curtains or the widest of our strips. The front plate comes off and the material is mounted by inserting the bead over the mounted bar, then replacing the front plate. These are not the kinds of applications you find in refrigeration or in many strip door applications. The standard Round-Bead mounting bars are designed so that by loosening a thumb screw at the end of the rail you can easily slide strips out and replace them or rotate them so that wear is distributed.

Question 13

Why rotate strips?

Accepted Answer

The strips in a strip door typically wear at different rates depending on their location. In most applications the middle strips experience more wear because this is where the strips come apart when someone or something passes through. There are other applications where the strips on the outside may experience more wear. By regularly rotating the strips in a strip door you will more evenly distribute the wear and prolong strip life.

Question 14

How do I clean the strips?

Accepted Answer

Use a vinegar-based Windex cleaner. It makes the strips last longer. Do not use harsh ammonia or bleaches. The cleaners degrade the plasticizer and the strips will become stiff. You can also use a 20% solution of alcohol in water.

Question 15

We have had a problem with strips from other suppliers that curl. Do Simplex strips curl?

Accepted Answer

Vinyl has a memory. Once it has been folded or rolled, it will retain that shape for some time. At Simplex all our strips are shipped flat in the box. Simplex strips hang straight from the first day to the last.

Question 16

Do you offer spray-on ESD inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

No. Spray-on inhibitors wear off in a short time. The ESD-resistance properties in Simplex materials are part of the formulation of the vinyl. That means the ESD-resistant properties are permanent. They do not wear off.

Question 17

Simplex offers ribbed strips. Why should we consider ribbed strips for our application?

Accepted Answer

Strip-on-strip contact will eventually cause scratches on the strip, reducing visibility, which can be a safety concern. Ribbed strips minimize the amount of contact between strips, reducing the problem of scratches and prolonging the clarity of the strips.

Question 18

Will Simplex strips yellow and crack when exposed to the sun?

Accepted Answer

All strip vinyl exposed to sunlight will yellow over time, but we use U.V. stabilizers in our vinyl formulations to keep the strips clear for an extended period. Simplex strips will maintain their color and clarity for between three and five years in direct sunlight, and between five and seven years in indirect sunlight.

Question 19

What is the difference between continuously overlapping the strips in the installation, and installing them in an over-under arrangement?

Accepted Answer

Continuously overlapping strips provide for a better seal in the strip door. Mounting the strips in an over-under arrangement provides for a better passthrough. Which arrangement you need to use depends on your application. Consult your sales rep if you have any questions.

Question 20

Simplex has roll-away strip door mounts. What kind of application would call for that type of mount?

Accepted Answer

In cases where you are trying to keep out dust and birds and insects, it might be preferable to be able to push the strips aside during the short periods you are moving large amounts of inventory or machinery into the contained area. When moving pallets stacked with light boxes that are not tied down, or carts with loose boxes or objects, sliding the strips out of the way allows this inventory to pass through without being knocked off.

Question 21

What is the difference between anti-static strip materials and ESD resistant materials? Are the two terms interchangeable?

Accepted Answer

There are actually five terms that are often used interchangeably when it comes to electrostatic discharge, and they all mean different things. ESD is an acronym for electrostatic discharge. Many times it is erroneously used as a term for something that is “electrostatic discharge safe.” This is incorrect. Anti-static, conductive and dissipative are all terms that subdivide ESD into more detail. Something insulative is not considered ESD safe.

Materials are labeled with these terms based on individual surface resistance. Surface resistance is a measurement of how easily an electric charge can travel across a medium. Conductive materials are those that have a surface resistance of less than 1 x 105 ohms/square. Dissipative items have a surface resistance of more than 1 x 105, but less than 1 x 1011 ohms square.

Antistatic materials are generally referred to as any material which inhibits triboelectric charging. This kind of charging is the buildup of an electric charge by rubbing or contact with another material. An insulative material is one that has a surface resistance of greater than 1 x 1012 ohms square.

Enclosure Doors

CLEANROOM DOORS

Simplex offers a range of door models ideal for use in a cleanroom setting.

Cleanroom Enclosure Doors Selection

Pro-Glide Sliding Door

AirBlock Swing Door

AirBlock ABS Core Swing Door