In dairy production, adhering to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) cleanroom standards for controlling dust particles and microbial contamination is critical. Personnel movement is a primary source of contamination in clean zones, making air showers—"purification checkpoints" for personnel entering clean areas—an essential tool. By using forced airflow and high-efficiency filtration, air showers significantly reduce dust and microbes carried by humans, serving as a core solution for dairy companies to achieve compliant production. Below are four key steps to meet GMP requirements through air showers:

1. Scientific Selection: Matching Cleanroom Classifications and Production Needs

Choose air showers that align with the cleanroom grade (e.g., Class D or higher, common in dairy production) and meet airflow and filtration efficiency standards:

• Airflow Velocity: ≥25m/s strong airflow to effectively remove particles from clothing, requiring adjustable fan units;
• Filtration System: Pre-filters + HEPA filters (≥99.97% efficiency for 0.3μm particles);
• Functional Design: Double-door interlock to prevent cross-contamination, stainless steel interiors for easy cleaning, and voice prompts for standardized operation.
  For high-traffic lines, consider dual-channel or corner-style air showers to balance purification efficiency with traffic flow.
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2. Standardized Installation: Ensuring Airflow Integrity and Sealing

Installation must comply with GMP requirements for differential pressure (10-15 Pa) and airflow direction in clean zones:

• Location Planning: Install in an independent buffer area at the cleanroom entrance, integrated with washing and changing areas for a complete gowning process;
• Sealing Treatment: Use embedded installation with seamless 对接 to walls/floors, sealed with food-grade sealant to avoid dust accumulation and microbial growth;
• Airflow Validation: Post-installation testing with an anemometer and particle counter to ensure no dead zones, meeting cleanliness standards in GMP annexes.
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3. Operational Management: Strengthening Personnel Purification Protocols

Staff compliance directly impacts air shower effectiveness—combine training and protocols:

• Standard Procedure: Close outer door → stand in the sensor zone → 360° rotation during 15-30 seconds of air 吹扫 → unlock inner door to enter;
• Hygiene Rules: Wear full-body cleanroom suits, no jewelry/watches, and remove sole contaminants (paired with shoe cleaners) before showering;
• Record-Keeping: Use electronic access systems to log entry/exit times and shower duration for compliance audits.
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4. Maintenance and Calibration: Sustaining Optimal Performance

Establish a regular maintenance schedule to ensure consistent functionality:

• Daily Cleaning: Wipe interiors and nozzles daily with food-grade disinfectants (e.g., 75% ethanol) to prevent chemical residues;
• Filter Replacement: Clean pre-filters monthly, replace every 3-6 months; replace HEPA filters when differential pressure alarms (resistance ≥2x initial value), revalidating efficiency afterward;
• Function Testing: Quarterly checks for fan speed, door interlock, and UV lamp intensity (if equipped), archiving maintenance records.

Conclusion

Air showers are not standalone solutions but critical nodes in cleanroom management. Dairy enterprises must integrate equipment selection, installation validation, training, and maintenance into their overall GMP framework, combining with environmental monitoring (e.g., settling bacteria tests, particle counting) for closed-loop control. Through standardized air shower processes, companies not only meet cleanroom requirements but also reduce contamination risks at the source, securing the foundation for high-quality dairy production.

Compliance is the cornerstone of quality, and the efficient operation of air showers marks the "first step of purification" for dairy enterprises adhering to GMP.