Airlocks to prevent contamination
Airlocks are defined as barriers between 2 controlled areas and consists of two or more than two doors meant to regulate the passage of air. Cleanroom Airlocks are classified in 3 types.
- Bubble type
- Cascade type
- Sink type
Contamination is major factor in pharmaceutical industries. Control of contamination is major issue for regulatory authorities in past decade and many major steps have been implemented in pharmaceuticals in order to curb contamination. GMP Guidelines are continuously revised and new amendments have been implemented one such amendment to control the contamination is necessitating the use of Cleanroom Airlocks.
Differential pressure plays massive role in successful execution of Airlocks.
- EU GMP(European good manufacturing practices) differentiates clean rooms into Grade A, Grade B, Grade C and Grade D.
- ISO 14644 differentiates clean room into ISO 5 , ISO 6 , ISO 7 , ISO 8.
- USFDA 209 E classifies clean rooms into Class 100 , Class 1000 , Class 10000 , Class 100000.
Cascade Airlock
This type of Airlock have higher pressure on one side and lower pressure on another side of airlock and is commonly used airlock in Tablet manufacturing facilities where higher pressure is in corridor than cubicle to keep the drug inside the cubicle.
Bubble Airlock
This type of airlock have higher pressure inside than both outer sides. This type of airlock is commonly used in injectables manufacturing facilities so that air contaminants from outside may not contaminate drug substance.
Sink Airlock
This type of airlock has higher pressure on both the sides of airlock so that the contaminant may not escape the cubicle. It is commonly used in manufacturing facilities of harmful substances like poisons.