Doors are essential features of cleanroom facilities. These spaces vary in size on the inside, but they all rely on specially designed doors to facilitate cleanliness, productivity, and easy access. A bi-parting sliding door is typical in places where environmental control is vital; however, sometimes there is not enough real estate on a wall to accommodate a single sliding panel, or the space requires quicker access to the opening. Bi-parting sliding doors solve both issues.
Cleanrooms and Sliding Doors
A cleanroom needs the correct door type to maintain the room's ideal concentration level of airborne contaminants. The door also helps regulate other environmental factors, such as humidity, temperature, pressurization, and airflow. Facilities that rely on clean operations and strict standards often use sliding doors as they provide environmental control, accommodate proper cleaning protocols, and meet cGMP design standards for doors. These door systems are engineered to facilitate ease of access without compromising worker safety or productivity. A high-speed sliding door in a cleanroom helps minimize air infiltration when people enter and leave the room.
Bi-Parting Sliding Doors Vs. Single Panel Doors
When quick access and sealing of a passageway is required, bi-parting panels are superior to a single panel. By harmonizing a simultaneous instant response, the two panels move rapidly to provide both improved opening and closing speeds. Bi-parting panels open faster, and close quicker than similarly sized single panels, reducing the exposure between areas, limiting infiltration and air exchange.
Improved Productivity
If a door opens from its center at high speed, the panel material moves faster than a comparable single panel door. The quickness at which the door operates allows for immediate access to the room's interior or nearby areas. Workers can increase productivity with rapid access between areas.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cleanroom Bi-Parting Door
When looking for a bi-parting door for your facility, you should ensure that its material and structure are compatible with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Basic guidelines include low maintenance, easy cleaning, and the ability to withstand chemical solvents. The type of door you install should also include a smooth non-porous surface to be more resistant to microbial growth like mold and mildew. Corrosion resistance is another factor to consider when choosing a bi-parting door for your facility. Stainless steel is the material of choice for side frames and shrouds. Below are other factors that will guide you in your door selection.
Choose the Correct Panel Material for your Application
Traditionally, sliding doors for cleanrooms, cold storage, and pharmaceutical facilities consist of fiberglass or stainless steel. These materials provide similar advantages as they are both non-porous and consistent with FDA and cGMP regulations. The difference lies in how they will be treated by trained traffic and equipment, as well as cleaning protocols for the space. Stainless steel withstands more aggressive cleaning protocols but is more susceptible to scratching and denting upon hard contact. Your specific application and cleaning regimen will dictate which is right for you.
Consider Hands-Free Operation
Automation is an excellent feature to include in a bi-parting door. This type of door technology allows employees to enter and exit the room's interior without touching or contaminating a clean surface. An automated double door also increases productivity. Workers can move items and equipment to and from the room without manually activating an opener or setting anything down. Though you might have concerns about an automated door opening slowly, you can rest assured that this type of door can open quickly and widely. The addition of glass windows in the double doors also increases visibility in the room, which reduces the risk of accidents and injuries.
Ensure the Door Meets Cleanroom Standards
These areas must adhere to strict cleanliness standards to ensure that the room interior remains free of potentially harmful microbes. Only choose doors made from approved materials and designed for cGMP applications. Door systems built explicitly for cleanrooms should also withstand and maintain pressure differentials.
Bi-Parting Sliding Door Solutions from ASI Doors
The team at ASI Doors understands the importance of having an optimal door with exceptional durability and style to maintain the safety and productivity of cleanroom standards. Our team is passionate about creating high-performance bi-parting door solutions for you. Each door is engineered and built to maximize cleanliness, energy efficiency, and ease of access. If you are ready to install the ideal bi-parting door for your facility, contact the ASI Doors team at (800) 558-7068 or sales@asidoors.com.
