Difference between Static and Dynamic Pass box

Pass boxes are cleanroom systems used to transfer materials from one area to another cleaned area through a controlled environment. Pass boxes help control contamination and cross-contamination by passing particular matter present on the surface of materials that are to be transferred. These materials automatically pass through the filter present on the pass box during the operation. The main feature of a pass box is the interlocking door mechanism, allowing a single door to open at once while the other side remains closed.

What Is a Pass Box?

A pass box, as the name suggests, is a container used to transfer materials between different areas. It serves as an installation for moving materials from a lower-classified area to a highly classified one or from a higher-grade cleanroom to a lower-grade one. The pass box facilitates material transfer within the same cleanroom class from one area to another, acting as a barrier between cleanroom grades to prevent contamination and cross-contamination. The pass box doors are equipped with an interlocking system to ensure that both doors cannot be opened simultaneously.

Pass Boxes Functions:

A pass box is a chamber installed in the wall between two controlled environments of different classes, such as a clean room and an adjacent area. As the name suggests, its primary function is to allow materials to transfer between the two areas without the need for people to enter or exit, reducing the risk of airborne particles crossing. The pass box typically has two doors, one on each side, which remain closed at all times except during material transfer. Pass boxes are made of stainless steel, making them easy to clean and sanitize.

Construction of Pass Boxes:

Pass Boxes are constructed from stainless steel. The grade may be 304, 316, or 316L depending on the company’s requirements.

Pass box features/ Components:

The Pass box has the following components;

• Control panel
• UV light
• Door handle
• Electromagnetic lock
• Magnehelic Gauge

Types of pass boxes in pharmaceutical

1. Dynamic pass box
2. Static pass box

1. Dynamic Pass Box: A dynamic pass box is primarily installed between an uncontrolled environment and a controlled environment to pass materials.

Example: To get the concept of a dynamic pass box in pharmaceuticals, for example, if we need to transfer sterile vials from a C-grade to an A-grade one. So in this case we utilize a dynamic pass box for the transfer process.

The main features of the dynamic pass box are:

• The Dynamic pass box is made of Stainless steel (SS 304) and has a cubical shape.
• The dynamic pass box may be of different kinds like cascade, sink, or bubble.
• It has an interlocking system on both sides to protect from contamination and cross-contamination.
• Dynamic pass box door can open one side at once, and the other side door remains closed.
• It is fitted with a suction filter of around 0.3 microns with a HEPA filter.
• Dynamic pass box also fitted with a pressure Magnehelic gauge ranging from 0 to 25 mm of WC.
• It also contained a motor blower of 1/5 hp to blow out dust particles.
• The dynamic pass box is also fitted with a UV light of 18 watts.
• It also has a fluorescent lamp of around 20 watts to produce visible light.

Related Post: SOP on Dynamic Pass Boxes

2. Static Pass Box: A static pass box is used to transfer products or materials between the same or clean environments.

Example: To get how to utilize the static pass box, consider scenarios like Moving powdered materials from blending to encapsulation. Transporting finished capsules to the packaging section.

Its main features include:

• The static pass box is cubical in shape and is made of stainless steel.
• It has an electromagnetic interlock system with an LED indicator on both sides to indicate the doors.
• The static pass box is equipped with a UV light fitted with an 8-watt lamp and a fluorescent lamp of about 40 watts.
• The static pass box is also fitted with a UV light meter to record the burning hours.
• The static pass box does not come with a filter.