Types of Passbox in Pharmaceutical Industry

Pass boxes are an essential component of a cleanroom environment, preventing the transfer of contaminants from one area to another. Selecting the appropriate type of passbox will depend on various factors, such as the type and volume of materials being transferred, the level of contamination risk, and the specific requirements of the application. A passbox that is properly selected, installed, and maintained can help ensure the highest level of product quality and safety in the pharmaceutical industry.

Types of Passbox in Pharma:

1 Mechanical Passbox: Mechanical interlocking doors are used in this sort of passbox to prevent both doors from opening at the same time. Mechanical passboxes are appropriate for transfers of low to medium capacity.

2 Air Shower Passbox: An air shower passbox has air nozzles that drive high-velocity HEPA-filtered air at the items being transferred, efficiently eliminating any particles on the surface. This passbox is ideal for high-volume transfers.

3 Static Passbox: is a simple, cost-effective solution that does not require any power or mechanical components. It is ideal for low-risk areas where there is minimal risk of contamination.

4 Dynamic Passbox: is used in cleanrooms and other controlled environments where materials need to be transferred between two areas of differing cleanliness levels. It is also known as a through-wall passbox or a linear passbox.

5 UV Passbox: While both static and dynamic passboxes are equipped with Ultra Violet lamps to disinfect . There can be dedicated UV passboxes which use UV-C germicidal lamps to sterilize the materials being transferred, effectively killing any microorganisms that may be present on the surface. This type of passbox is suitable for medium to high-risk areas.

6 Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) Passbox: RTP passboxes are meant to transport goods between two sealed environments while maintaining confinement. They have a locking mechanism that locks the transfer chamber, preventing contaminants from entering or exiting. This sort of passbox is appropriate for high-risk regions involving the transfer of hazardous goods.

7 VHP Passbox: A VHP (Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide) passbox is used in cleanrooms where materials need to be transferred between areas of differing cleanliness levels. It is designed to provide an additional level of decontamination to prevent the spread of pathogens or other contaminants.

Read also: Basic Clean Room Requirements

Resource Person: Ammar Idries