The Architecture of Hygiene: How Kardeco Furniture Supports PAL Donning Procedures

In the high stakes environment of pharmaceutical manufacturing, the Personnel Air Lock (PAL) serves as the primary defense against contamination. Since human operators are the largest contributors of particulates in a cleanroom, the transition from street clothes to sterile gowns must be a controlled and logical sequence.

Kardeco provides specialized furniture solutions that do more than just fill a room; they physically guide the operator through the donning process. By utilizing high performance materials like Compact HPL and 316 Stainless Steel, Kardeco ensures that every piece of equipment meets the rigorous standards of global health authorities.

Phase 1: The Transition Zone and Step Over Benches

The most critical moment in the gowning sequence is the move from the dirty side of the PAL to the clean side. This is traditionally managed by a Step Over Bench (SOB).

• The S Shape Design:Unlike a standard rectangular block, Kardeco offers a specialized S shape bench profile. This design provides integrated storage for both street shoes on the dirty side and cleanroom clogs on the clean side within the same footprint.
• Contamination Control:The S shape creates a physical toe kick area that allows the operator to stand closer to the center of gravity while changing. This prevents the operator from losing balance and accidentally touching a gloved hand to the floor or a contaminated surface.
• Structural Stability:The bench is engineered for heavy daily use, providing a solid and secure platform for operators to sit while transitioning. The weight and base design ensure the bench remains stationary without the need for floor penetrations that could compromise the cleanroom floor integrity.

Phase 2: Systematic PPE Dispensing

Pharmaceutical SOPs require a specific order for donning PPE, typically following a head to toe logic. This prevents particles from a hat or mask from falling onto a clean gown.

• Custom Dispensing Units:Kardeco installs wall mounted and freestanding dispensers for bouffant caps, beard covers, and face masks. These units are designed with sloped tops to prevent the accumulation of dust and to discourage operators from placing personal items on top of the furniture.
• First In First Out Logic:The internal geometry of Kardeco dispensers ensures that the oldest stock is used first. This prevents material degradation and ensures that the sterile integrity of the PPE is maintained until the moment of use.

Phase 3: Gowning and Garment Storage

Once the basic barriers are in place, the operator must don the primary cleanroom suit. This requires a furniture layout that promotes no touch donning.

• Garment Racks and Hangers:Kardeco provides garment racks with ultra smooth finishes. These racks are designed to hold bagged or hung suits in a way that allows the operator to remove the garment without it dragging on the floor.
• Flush Joints and Sealed Surfaces:Every piece of Kardeco furniture is built with precision flush joints. By ensuring perfectly tight seams and non porous surfaces, Kardeco eliminates gaps where moisture or particles could become trapped. This allows for a highly effective chemical wipe down during the daily sanitation cycle.

Phase 4: Final Validation and Exit

The final stage of the donning procedure is a self audit and hand sanitization.

• Mirror Stations:Full length mirrors are strategically placed at the end of the PAL. These are often integrated into the HPL wall panels to maintain a flush and easy to clean surface.
• Hand Hygiene Stations:Kardeco installs custom enclosures for touchless hand sanitizers and scrub sinks. By integrating these into the furniture flow, the operator is reminded to perform the final disinfection step immediately before passing through the interlocked door into the production suite.

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