While S20.20-2021 is pretty much silent on the actual wearing/use of garments and focuses on measurements (rightfully so). and there is very little in TR20.20 on the subject, I was wondering how do most organizations address the wearing of Garments (AKA Smocks) outside of an EPA. My particular site has very strict rules about this, and I know my preference, however I continually am receiving questions from other of my company’s sites (and outside of my organization as well). Just wondering what an industry practice is and why.
Hello Matt Sir,
Greetings of the day from India .
I endorse your preference strictly as an ESD control Program Auditor, and that is what I too have been advising my customers every where.
Here in India especially , I have seen the users ( including ESD S 20 20 /IEC 61340-5-1 facility certified units ) highlighting all about ESD & Clean room protocols keep moving out with ESD safe Garment and Footwear even to pantry and wash rooms. ESD control and Clean room concepts are complementary to each other . Thus , I would say it is an NC wearing the ESD garments & Footwear outside and EPA/Clean room as it would in turn carry in the dust particles (in microns) back to the EPA through the Garment and Footwear and thus the very purpose of its application calling it is as an ESD safe cum clean room equipment is defeated .
Matt
We some varying rules depending on the area. In genral our clean rooms (ISO7 and lower) must remove the smocks in the gowning area before leaving that area. For our “Non-Clean” areas our requirements are a bit more lax. They can wear them outside of the area, but not into the restrooms, any break/food areas, or outside. Our individual site policies may be stricter on this as there are varying FOD requirement levels and types of work being done.
There are two separate issues here. If we consider the first, compliance to ANSI/ESD S20.20 the only requirement is that they meet the electrical limits (resistance) to comply with 20.20. The product qualification data and the complaince veriifcation testing is all that is needed. As long as the garment meets those requirements there are no addtional requirements on the garments outside the EPA. Techncially they can be worn home as long as they meet the compliance verification limits.
Now there is a requirement on cleanrooms in some locations. Those must also be followed but can be considered separate from ESD requirements. While esdtekniks would write a NC if garements are worn outside the EPA, it would not be against ANSI/ESD S20.20 as there are no specific requirements on where they are worn outside of the EPA. If the company had a specific procedure, then maybe it could be written against that.
While MattS is asking a more general question on how companies define wearing garments outside the EPA. In my experence, it varies quite a bit and unless there is a requirement for clean room or clean area, I have seen them worn almost everywhere on sites.