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SOFTWALL CLEANROOMS

AIRBLOCK SOFTWALL CLEANROOM

A System that Offers Versatility and Reliability


AirBlock™ Curtains are suitable for all classes of cleanrooms and for all levels of process isolation

AirBlock Curtains come in a wide selection of colors, thicknesses and properties and can be customized to virtually any size or shape. We offer a variety of exclusive mounting systems that are engineered for easy installation and maximum performance.

Strip System

Consisting of overlapping individual 6” to 48” strips, an AirBlock strip system is an ideal solution for dividing cleanrooms, enclosing portable frame systems, conveyor openings or doorways where easy access is required. Individual strips are designed to hang straight and maintain their overlaps. Optional alternating clear and frosted non-stick design prevents gaps which can lead to air loss.

Solid Softwalls

Solid softwalls are constructed from 48” wide sheets of vinyl that are RF welded to form solid walls. RF welded seals provide a permanent bond that is cleaner and stronger than sewing. AirBlock solid walls are especially suitable for enclosing portable frame systems or improving laminar flow areas above workspaces. They can also be used to further divide existing cleanrooms to create cleaner inner zones.

Related Product Information

AirBlock Softwall System Features

  • VERSATILITY
    AirBlock softwall curtains can be used with framing to create controlled environments, suspended from the ceiling, or used as PVC curtain walls to block off interior portions of an existing cleanroom to create cleaner interior zones.
  • EASE OF INSTALLATION
    Time is money. AirBlock mounting brackets make installation easier and quicker, are more functional in day-to-day use, and are designed to promote longer cleanroom curtain life.
  • EFFECTIVE
    AirBlock PVC curtains are suitable for ISO 8 (Class 100,000) to ISO 4 (Class 10) requirements.
  • VARIETY OF MATERIALS
    A large selection of high-performing, quality materials including clear, frosted, antistatic, PolySim™, opaques and tints.
  • SEALED CORNERS
    Permanent heat-formed bends eliminate air loss or particle penetration at the corners. Our thicker vinyls require no hems or sash weights, and provide systems that are cleaner looking, easily adaptable, and longer lasting.
  • MOUNTING SYSTEMS
    We have a variety of mounting options for our curtains: overhead door brackets, sliding door track, round bead mountings, and hook bead mountings. See Mounting Systems.
  • CLOSURE SYSTEMS
    We have a variety of closure options for our curtains: hook and loop fasteners, overlap retention snaps, flexible magnet self-closure, and dual lock fasteners. See Closure Systems.
  • FRAMEWORK INSTALLATION
    AirBlock softwall mounting systems integrate with the SIS 212 framework system.
  • NRF WELDED SEAMS
    RF welding on all panels provides a permanent bond that is cleaner and stronger than sewing.

AirBlock Softwall System Questions & Answers

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

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.

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

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.

How often do I replace the HEPA media?

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

Are your rooms ADA compliant?

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

Do you offer hands-free hardware?

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

Do you offer floor coving in your cleanrooms and enclosures?

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.

Do I need to have the cleanroom certified?

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.

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

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 clean 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.

Can I change my HEPA filters from inside the room?

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.

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

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.

What does USDA mean when you refer to strips?

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.

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

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.

Why rotate strips?

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.

How do I clean the strips?

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.

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

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.

Do you offer spray-on ESD inhibitors?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.