5 Sticky Mat Mistakes You Can Avoid
The ISO classification of cleanrooms can be, in part, preserved by sticky mats designed to remove contaminants and particulates before they become a problem. However, there are several common mistakes made with tacky mats that can drastically reduce their efficiency. At Total Source Manufacturing, we’ve compiled these 5 sticky mat mistakes that can be easily avoided.
Floor Not Prepped
Sticky mats require clean, hard surfaces for placement. The floor should be cleaned with alcohol and deionized water in a ratio of 70:30. Allow floor to completely dry before applying the new sticky mats. Each installation of new adhesive mats requires a clean floor with no residual adhesive.
Wrong Positioning
Sticky mats should be positioned right in front of the cleanroom door. They can also be positioned in front of the gowning room door. If tacky mats are placed in the wrong position, they won’t capture all the foot traffic and wheels of a cart. If it is placed horizontally, like a doormat, it is not being used optimally. Place it vertically and peel the bottom layer of adhesive to secure it to the floor.
Wrong Size
The cleanroom door needs a mat that is sized correctly. It needs to be wide enough to capture all the footsteps and it should be long enough to make sure shoes are cleaned by repeated contact with the mat. Our sticky mats come in a wide variety of sizes with the largest available in 36” x 72”.
Not Maintained
The rule of thumb to use for walkthroughs is to remove the top laminate layer of sticky mat every 50 times it is used. If the sticky mat is left dirty for a long time, it will be much less effective in picking up particulates. Each mat has 30 sheets for longer service and they come 4 to a case.
Wrong Technique
When it is time to peel off the top layer of tacky mat, work slowly and carefully in a diagonal from one corner, folding the dirty part in on itself to trap the particulates. A fast tear off may result in contaminants flying free, so it is best to work slowly.
Get your sticky mats today
Available in a variety of sizes and 3 colors – blue, white, or gray – sticky mats can go a long way towards maintaining ISO standards for a cleanroom. Call us at Total Source Manufacturing for a special quote on a shipment of sticky mats to cover all your important entry points.
