FAQs

A: Yes they do. The Regulation states that it, "..shall not apply to fans integrated in products with a sole electric motor of 3 kW or less where the fan is fixed on the same shaft used for driving the main functionality..." Page 90/10 under Article 1-Section 2 (i). The motors in our FFU's are 0.15kW and 0.37kW and are mounted on the same shaft as the fan.

A: They certainly do! All our vacuum cleaners come way under the 1600 watts limit. We are also in contact with our suppliers about the the 2nd stage of the label that states all vacuums will be limited to 900 watts by 2017. This legislation will drive efficient technology, something that we support!

A: Polyester wipes are commonly used as they are low abrasive and ultra-low in particle generation. Combined with the attributes of high absorbency, purity and cleanliness Polyester Wipes are instrumental for mission critical environments. Cleanroomshop.com now provide a full range of Polyester Wipes at very competitive prices.

A: We are offering a Buy Back Scheme at £250 on any type of particle counter that you send back to us (that is in working order), when you place an order for our Particle Counters -HAPC2 & HAPC3. Send us your old particle counter and receive £250 off the HAPC2 or HAPC3 at time of order or alternatively, place your order for a full price unit - HAPC2 or HAPC3 and receive £250 credit against your cleanroomshop.com account once the old particle counter has been returned to us.

A: "Here is the Manufacturer's response: 'Yes. The virus responsible for bird flu is known as an ""enveloped"" virus, in other words each virus particle is surrounded by a fatty coat. Spirigel has been tested against Bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and vaccinia virus, viruses which are internationally recognised as being suitable surrogate viruses to represent all enveloped viruses. Spirigel showed efficacy against the surrogate viruses within a 30 second contact time. Spirigel is therefore proven to be effective against all enveloped viruses, which includes amongst others those responsible for bird flu, human flu, hepatitis B, HIV, herpes, measles, mumps, rubella and rabies.'"

A: "Swine flu (H1N1) is a respiratory disease that infects pigs, caused by an influenza virus. It does not normally infect humans, but this occasionally does occur. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says the new swine flu virus is contagious and is spreading from person to person. It spreads in the same way as ordinary colds and flu. The virus is spread through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. It is recommended that you always use a tissue when coughing or sneezing and that great care should be taken when disposing of this. We would recommend using an Alcohol hand wash in your daily routine. Take extra care with babies, children and people with a weaker immune system. For more advice please see the links below. http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/en/"

A: "Yes, we have the FDA Report (PDF) on their findings at the New England Compounding Center. The American pharmaceutical compounding company have been linked to the outbreak and it is thought sterile injectable drugs were contaminated. If you are concerned about contamination, please see our cleaning range for sterile, high grade alcohols, biocides and cleaning tools."

A: "Legionnaires disease is caused by legionella bacteria. We would recommend using Actichlor after cleaning with a neutral detergent as a combined detergent and disinfectant. Actichlor has proven bactericidal efficacy at 5 minutes contact time to EN 1276. We would recommend a dilution of 1 x 1.7g tablet per 1 litre of water to give a solution of 1,000ppm chlorine."

A: One of the ways in which the E.coli bacteria can be passed from one person to another, is through poor hand hygiene (e.g. if someone hasn’t washed their hands properly when preparing food or after going to the toilet). The following cleanroom consumable products can help reduce the risk of passing on the bacteria: Spirigel Alcohol Hand Gel (HH2, HH10) Azospray IPA Disinfectant Spray (AZW4) Azowipe Hard Surface Disinfectant Wipe (AZW1, AZW2) Azowipe Catering (Blue Strentex) Wipe (AZW3) Azowipe Equipment Disinfectant Wipe (AZW5) Azowipe Multi-Surface Decontamination Wipes (AZW6)

A: Yes, Skinsan Antimicrobial Cleanser ( HH4) is suitable for this. It can be used diluted in the bath, or as part of a bedbath routine. Simply apply using a cloth and allow a contact time of 1 minute.

A: We do – here are the sizes for Tyvek® clothing and shoes:

S CHEST: 84-92cm (33"-36"), HEIGHT: 162-170cm (5'4"-5'7")
M CHEST: 92-100cm (36"-39"), HEIGHT: 168-176cm (5'6"-5'9")
L CHEST: 100-108cm (39"-42"), HEIGHT: 174-182cm (5'9"-6'0")
XL CHEST: 108-116cm (42"-45"), HEIGHT: 180-188cm (5'11"-6'2")
XXL CHEST: 116-124 (45""-48""), HEIGHT: 186-194 (6'1""-6'4"")

OVERSHOES DuPont Tyvek® Polyplacs (TOS2)
S: 24.5cm, M: 26.0cm, L: 30.5cm, XL: 33.0cm, XXL: 36.0cm

A: All our hand gels are denatured. To distinguish ethanol from alcoholic drinks the government insist that alcoholic formulations for cleaning or industrial use should be blended with an additive to render them unfit for human consumption. The most common additive used in our alcohol is Bitrex. It is the addition of these additives, called 'denaturants', that make the alcohol unpalatable. Under new regulations issued in 2004, denatured ethanol B (known in the trade as DEB) is now classified as Trade Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA).

A: We have found that code: 8543 70 90. To be the most appropriate code for these goods, however we do recommend that you speak with your local tax office to gain advice when importing goods.

A: The Department of Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05) section 6.66 states that;
For infection Control reasons , clinical areas: covers should be provided over computer keyboards or conventional keyboards should be replaced with "easy-clean" waterproof keyboards as recommended in the department of Health's (2008) 'Clean, safe care:reducing infections and saving lives'.

A: Yes we keep Sharps bins in stock and they are sold by the individual bin. As with all stock items we offer same day dispatch and next day delivery on Sharps bins.

A: The Environment Agency has advice and guidance on the safe disposal of hazardous or special waste. These can be found at the address below - follow the links for waste, business and hazardous waste changes for full details. - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk.

A: Electro-polishing smoothes out microscopic peaks and valleys in stainless steel surfaces that could potentially harbour particles and micro-organisms, or cause snagging of wipes or residuals during cleaning processes. This makes it easy to clean as it won't retain particles - perfect for cleanroom use.

A: We accept PayPal payments offering you an additional quick and secure payment process. We also accept credit cards through SagePay.

A: We have been through the standard thoroughly and as it stands we have a lot to offer. Clauses within the standard cover many areas, one such area being Garment Requirements. cleanroomshop.com offer products, services and advice on all forms of cleanroom clothing, cleaning and furniture. Contact us today for more information. Other areas of the BS8568:2013 Standard include airflow, occupancy levels, Building Management Systems (BMS) which are areas that we can facilitate via our Connect 2 Cleanrooms ECO-1 Closed Loop Control System. Operator Competence is also featured in the BS 8568:2913 Standard and we are pleased to promote our Connect 2 Cleanrooms Cleanroom Training Course in September 2013. Visit our Cleanroom Training Page or Contact Us for more information on how we can help you meet BS 8568:2013.

A: Due to our extensive customer base and wide product range, unfortunately it wasn't feasible for us to contact everyone individually. We would however be happy to discuss this through with you personally and invite you to contact our Customer Help Desk Team on +44(0)1524 813022, who are waiting to take your call.

A: All you need to do is contact our friendly Customer Helpdesk by phone, e mail or Live Chat and tell them about your requirements. We were recently asked to source Omega Protech Gloves for a customer which we happily did. Get in touch today, we thrive on a challenge!

A: It could be possible that you are using an old version of Internet Explorer and would benefit from an upgrade, as our website is optimised for IE8 and above. For example, IE6 is a very old browser (over 10 years old) and if you are using it you may suffer from decreased security and functionality benefits, in comparison to later browsers. You can use our website using IE7, however it will be a more seamless experience if you upgrade to a newer version. It is recommended that Internet browsers are updated as regularly as possible, which is free and easy to do. This will ensure that web sites will be seen in their full glory and you will have an increased capacity to use the functionality of a web site, especially transactional web sites. Downloads are available from the Windows web site.

A: We have Technical Data Sheets on most of our products which we can forward to you. Please contact us, and complete your details whilst indicating how you'd like to receive the information – by email or by post.

A: Yes we do, we cover all of Europe and the rest of the world. For more details please contact us and we will send you our delivery details.

A: This is because you did not purchase all the items that you selected on your last visit so they remain in your basket. To clear your basket before you sign out of your account is simple. All you need to do is tick the remove box to the right of the product and then click the Update Basket button. This will delete the product from your basket. Please repeat this action to delete further products if required. Alternatively, if you buy the same products from us regularly, you can leave them in your basket meaning your checkout process is that much quicker.If you have any questions please contact us today and we will be happy to speak with you.

A: Our customers are very important to us so, throughout the year we aim to send a number of e communications to our customers promoting certain offers. These e communications will contain the relevant Cleanroomshop.com Discount or Promo Codes to input into the site when making a purchase. To receive the information why not go to our Hompe Page and register with us today by opening an account or signing up for our newsletter. We can then keep you posted with all the latest updates.

A: We use SagePay payment gateway which processes your card details, but doesn't send them to us. Before you are asked to enter your card details, you will need to accept the payment terms. Once this is done, you'll then be transferred to a secure server (the site address will change to https:// and you may also see a padlock at the bottom of your screen.) NO CREDIT CARD DETAILS ARE EVER STORED IN A DATABASE. If you are still uncertain about the security of our site, please call us on 01524 813022 and we'll be happy to discuss this with you.

A: "Despite the general concern, the risk of Ebola transmission is low. Following the correct World Health Organisation (WHO) hand hygiene, hand washing techniques, washing and disinfecting hands regularly and strictly avoiding contact with bodily fluids (vomit, diarrhoea, saliva, etc) of those infected http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/what-you-need-to-know/en All persons coming into contact with an Ebola patient should wear at least, gloves (preferably double donned), fluid resistant or impermeable gowns, eye protection (googles or face shield), face mask, disposable shoe covers, leg coverings. Other useful links - http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/qa.html

A: "The NHS, Department of Health and World Health Organisation have all produced information and guidelines on dealing with bird flu and swine flu. NHS: www.nhs.uk Department of Health: www.dh.gov.uk World Health Organisation: www.who.int Their recommendations centre on respiratory and hand hygiene – covering nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and washing hands regularly. Catch it, Bin it, Kill it!"

A: China is stepping up its efforts to contain the spread of a new strain of bird flu which has killed six people in the country. China has now identified 16 domestic cases of the H7N9 virus. The World Health Organization says there is no evidence yet that the virus is being transmitted between humans. Source: BBC News (16/04/2013)

A: MRSA / HAIs (Hospital Acquired Infections) are usually contracted by people in hospital who are very ill or have open wounds or sores (e.g. bed sores or burns). It is usually spread by direct skin-to-skin contact. A healthy person is unlikely to develop the infection, but they may pass it on to someone who is ill, who may then develop it. The NHS recommends good hand hygiene - washing hands before and after contact with each patient.

A: The state of sterility is expressed in terms of probability as the "Sterility Assurance Level" (SAL). Because any sterilisation process is finite and entirely based upon the microbial loading or the "bioburden" - without control of the bioburden the SAL cannot be accurately controlled. The second consideration is the effect of non-viable contamination on the human body. Not all contamination is viable. Bacterial endotoxins are one of the most significant pyrogens associated with sterile medical devices. Pyrogens are substances that cause a heat rise in the body; increasing levels of pyrogens can cause a fever and ultimately death. Bactericidal endotoxins are fragments of the cell wall of Gram negative bacteria… When a device carries contamination of Gram negative bacteria the very act of sterilising it liberates endotoxins. Finally, contamination also compromises non-viable contamination. Devices containing significant particulate and/or fibre contamination that come into contact with blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have the potential to cause blockages , thromboses or other adverse effects.

A: Hydrex Alcohol Hand Rub (HR1) and Spirigel Alcohol Hand Gel (HH2 &HH10) Both of these products are disinfectants that are effective against E.Coli and MRSA. The Spirigel has been approved for use within the NHS. The difference between the 2 is that Hydrex is a liquid and Spirigel a gel. Skinsan Antimicrobial Cleanser ( HH4) This cleanses and decontaminates in one step. It's effective against bacteria and viruses, including E.Coli and MRSA. Seraman Liquid Cleanser (HH6) This is a mild cleansing product. It's been designed for those with sensitive skin or who have to wash their hands regularly.

A: This will depend on the class of cleanroom you operate. We've put together a cleanroom clothing guide to help you work out what you need. Either click on the following link, or click on the cleanroom entry procedure area on our home page.

A: We have compiled a cleanroom cleaning document to help you determine which clean room products and equipment you need, and the recommended techniques for effective cleaning. Please contact us for a copy of our cleaning protocols and state whether you would like these emailed or posted to you.

A: Yes we can offer the height adjustable trespa tables in custom sizes; however a minimum order quantity may be required. To discuss your requirements, please contact a member of the team on +44 (0)1524 813022 who will be happy to advise you.

A: Cleanroomshop.com is a dedicated consumables division of modular cleanroom solutions provider, Connect 2 Cleanrooms Ltd. Cleanroomshop.com is Europe's leading online specialist cleanroom consumables supplier and launched the first e-commerce cleanroom supplies shop in 2002.

A: To find your glove size, measure the palm of your hand (in centimetres) and compare to the following:

< 7.5 - Extra Small
7.5 - 8.5 - Small
8.5 - 9.5 - Medium
9.5 - 10.5 - Large
10.5 - 11.5 - Extra Large

A: A full break down of delivery charges can be found here. We offer same day despatch on all stock items, Monday to Friday, with no minimum or maximum quantity.

A: Foot-borne and wheel-borne contamination can introduced many particles to a cleanroom. If operatives walk over a sticky mat before entering a clean area, the contamination from the bottom of their shoe transfers onto the mat. This reduces the risk of contamination being introduced into the cleanroom.

A: The Azowipe 200 hard surface wipes are 70% IPA, made from a viscose rayon, low linting, non-woven material making them strong and durable.

A: We offer two options of PurQuip Mop System starter packs, plastic or stainless steel.

The plastic option is suitable for ISO class 7 & 8 and includes telescopic handle, plastic mop frame and sterile mop heads. The PurQuip Ergo 200 plastic mop bucket system is an optional extra. The stainless steel option is suitable for ISO Class 5 and includes a stainless steel telescopic handle, stainless steel mop frame, sterile mop heads and the prepare mop preparation system as an optional extra.

A: Premier Klercide 70/30 Sterile IPA has a two year shelf life from the date of manufacture. The SteriShield Delivery System on the trigger spray formats have been validated to ensure an in-use shelf life of three months.

A: Klercide Sporicidal Low Residue Peroxide Sterile Spray is a blend of highest grade 6% hydrogen peroxide and water for injection. It will control most risks of contamination including bacterial spores. This non-corrosive peroxide is suitable for use on all types of hard surfaces in cleanrooms and controlled environments, isolators, LAFs, equipment exteriors and production vessels.

A: Our ranges of Trespa tables and benches have a lead time of 5-10 days from your order being processed. Made to order, bespoke sizes are also available; however may incur longer lead time. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

A: Nitrile has good elasticity, exhibiting some memory, and the gloves tend to conform to the shape of the wearer's hands after a few minutes. Moreover, nitrile gloves have inherently good puncture resistance, excellent tensile strength and, because they contain no latex proteins, there is no chance of Type I Allergy reactions. As well as being very durable, nitrile gloves generally provide greater protection against a wider range of chemicals and oils than vinyl or latex gloves.

A: We recommend double donning gloves to provide extra protection. The more layers, the more protection against chemicals. Also, double donning limits the chance of penetration through pinholes. Statistically, there is a very low chance of two pinholes being in exactly the same place on two gloves.

A: Like any substance derived from natural resources latex can cause an allergic reaction. Whilst rare, allergic reactions to latex can be highly dangerous. The proteins present in latex are the component that cause the allergic reaction.

The most common allergic reaction to latex products is Irritant Contact Dermatitis. Symptoms of this include dry and itchy skin usually found on the hands. This reaction may be caused by skin irritation from using gloves. It is worth bearing in mind that the reaction detailed above can also by caused by use of cleaners and sanitation products. Powders added to certain gloves can also cause Irritant Contact Dermatitis.

There are ways in which you can lessen the possibility of latex allergies happening. Each employer should always offer a non-latex alternative such as polychloroprene (Neoprene), nitrile and vinyl gloves. If latex gloves are a necessity then the employer should provide a low protein, powder free latex glove as some chemicals found in the powder used in latex gloves can cause similar reactions to those detailed above. Employees can also lessen the risk by only using the gloves when it is necessary.

A: You would use a 16" glove if you want more protection up to the elbows when covering the sleeve. Also, a 16" glove will hold the sleeve in-place better than a 12" glove. There is growing interest in 16" gloves because of these benefits.

Our range of 16" gloves provide such protection.

A: No. Cleanroom gloves should be powderfree, extra-clean and specially packed to minimise contamination in the cleanroom environment.

We have a wide range of cleanroom gloves available at Cleanroomshop.com.

A: Hand sanitisers are considered as ‘leave on’ products which can be used in the absence of water. Dependent on the segment and the protocols in place - they are complementary to hand cleansing and drying.

In less stringent segments hand sanitisers offer the convenience of sanitised hands in the absence of water. The sanitiser is dispensed on the hands and the product rapidly kills bacteria and microorganisms that are present. They do not clean hands. They are used to prevent cross-contamination of physically clean hands.

A: Static control in cleanrooms is an increasingly important topic because of the wider range of processing which is being conducted in controlled atmospheres. Cleanrooms are no longer just used for electronics, medical and high technology applications. They are becoming normal in many areas of plastics processing – injection moulding, extrusion, converting and assembly. In all of these areas static electricity can be an important problem.

Cleanroomshop offers a range of static control equipment which has been tested and certified for use in most cleanrooms.

A: Store garments in a cool, dark, dry location free of dirt and insects. Sunlight, ozone, high temperatures (>49 °C; 120 °F ), vehicle exhaust fumes, compression under heavy weights, and sharp edges or projections are some conditions known to degrade the materials in these garments. These factors should be considered when evaluating the long term life of storage of garments.

A: Providing gloves are correctly stored in the right conditions, they do not have a fixed shelf life. In fact the stated shelf life can vary from product to product and is determined by a combination of industry norms and regulatory requirements. Sterile Gloves generally show an expiry date on the packaging which can be between 3 and 5 years from date of manufacture, as long as the integrity of the packaging is not compromised or damaged in any way.

Gloves should always be stored in the original packaging in a cool, dry and well ventilated area. Ensure the gloves are protected from dust, direct sunlight, moisture, X-ray, and excesses of temperature. Generally we recommend storage temperatures of between 5 and 35 degrees Centigrade.

A: A Sterility Assurance Level of 10-6 means that for every 1,000,000 items sterilised there may be one that contains bacteria that have survived the sterilisation process. The SAL is a statistical probability that is used because it is impossible to prove that all bacteria have been killed during the sterilisation process. In practice the theoretical degree of processing to achieve the desired SAL is determined, and then routine processing is set at a higher level in order to achieve 'overkill'.

A: Polychloroprene gloves are far superior to latex, nitrile and vinyl for protection against IPA. The BioClean range of polychloroprene gloves have been tested to provide over 480 minutes breakthrough time against 100% IPA.

A: The fabric used to make Tyvek® IsoClean® garments is treated with a topical antistatic agent to help minimize static buildup and reduce nuisance garment cling. The topical antistat is water soluble, so antistatic performance is reduced in clean-processed garments. Sterilisation may also impact anti-static performance.

A: As cleanroom gloves are the only garments that commonly come into direct contact wit the product, it is particularly important that they reach your required standards. Although the primary purpose for wearing gloves is to protect the process and person, each cleanroom in every industry has a different requirement. Cleanroomshop has a wide range of gloves in various materials, styles and cleanliness levels to suit your application.

If you are unsure which type of glove is more suitable to you, please contact a member of our Customer Service team or read our blog on 'Selecting the Right Cleanroom Glove' here

A: No. Your delivery details will automatically be populated in the checkout page each time you place an order from the details provide on your account. If you require multiple delivery addresses you can add these to your account and then simply select the correct address from the drop down menu at the checkout.

Our ‘One-step Checkout’ feature enables you to view your order summary, delivery and payment details on one concise page, enabling you to complete your order, easily, at the touch of a button.

A: The purpose of a cleanroom garment is to protect the product or process from contamination caused by the wearer. With the average wearer dispersing millions of particles (including skin, hair, perspiration) from their bodies every minute, and a square inch of skin on average harbouring 32 million bacteria, the potential to spread contamination is great!

A: The life expectancy of a filter will vary from one job to another and is influenced by a variety of factors including the exposure time and location of the job. As long as the hazard has good warning properties, i.e. smell or taste at a lower level than the WEL - HSE publication HSG53 offers additional guidance to users - a filter can be used until breakthrough occurs, however this should not be routinely relied on.

A: "What is rotational cleaning then? Rotational cleaning makes reference to the bioburden, which is the number of bacteria living on an un-sterilised surface. With this type of cleaning, we are not just trying to remove particles of dirt, fluff, cell debris and such; we are also trying to remove and kill the living element of contamination, which are the micro-organisms that may be present. In cleaning your cleanroom, you will undoubtedly remove a portion of the microbial population. However, it is unlikely that you will remove it all, which is why we must take steps to kill any microbes which are not removed.

To control the bioburden in your cleanroom you will need to use disinfectants; these are chemicals that have properties that can kill micro-organisms. You will probably need to use two or more disinfectants in rotation, and this is why the process of killing micro-organisms in your cleanroom is called rotational cleaning. "

Read more on Rotational Cleaning here.

A: "The tacky mat frame is a polyboard rigid frame to insert multi layer tacky mats to ensure they stay in situ. The frames are available in Small, Medium or Large to suit the Cleanroomshop range of tacky mats. The frames protect floors from adhesive backing on sticky mats and are suitable for wood, carpet and porous surfaces.

The frames can also be printed with your own branding.

A: We offer same day dispatch on all stock items, Monday to Friday, with no minimum or maximum quantity. Please note that the cut off point for same day despatch for stock items is before 16:00. If you place your order after this time and need your goods urgently, please give us a call and we’ll see what we can do.

Typically orders received after 16:00 will be despatched the following working day, providing goods are in stock.

More information on our deliveries and charges can be found here

A: Our technical team can build and validate your Rapid Room Cleanroom, to prove it meets ISO 14644-1 Class 7/8 standard. Contact us today on +44(0)1524 813022 for an assembly and validation quote.

A: Cleanroomshop.com provide an ongoing particle counter calibration service for all units, providing you peace of mind that the unit remains ISO 21050-4 compliant.  Please email service@connect2cleanrooms.com to arrange for calibration or to sign up to our free reminder service.

A: Yes. We have a range of options available in standard and bespoke sizes. Our experienced sales team will be able to advise you on the best option to suit your requirements.

Call us today on +44 (0) 1524 813022.

A: We would advise that the most suitable option for short hair when working within a cleanroom would be the Tyvek bouffant hat / beret. Mob caps don't always filter short hair, as hair strands tend to poke through, increasing the chance of contamination.

A: The KIMTECH PURE pouch style (or duck beak) face masks provide better filtration of air when working within a cleanroom, eliminating contamination and reducing fog when wearing eye protection. These are available as both sterile or non-sterile depending on your requirements.

A: The Softwall PVC strips can be cleaned efficiently with wet mops, dry wipes with a liquid, or impregnated wipes. We would suggest using an IPA or Ethanol product in conjunction with a neutral detergent to avoid the strips clouding over time.

A: Our stainless steel table tops are manufactured from Grade 304 stainless steel with a standard thickness of 1.2mm.

A: All our stainless steel tables are made from 304 graded stainless steel. We have options for a brushed steel finish or an electropolished finish for reduced particle retention.

Contact a member of our team on +44 (0)1524 813022, who will be able to advise you on the best solution for your process.

A: Yes we can offer the height adjustable Trespa tables in custom sizes; however a minimum order quantity may be required and they may incur a longer lead time. To discuss your requirements, please contact a member of the team on +44 (0)1524 813022 who will be happy to advise you and provide a quotation.