Concept Smoke Systems at Cleanroom Technology Conference 2026
Concept Smoke Systems was pleased to attend and exhibit at the Cleanroom Technology Conference 2026 at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham. The two day event brought together cleanroom professionals, contamination control specialists and equipment manufacturers to discuss the challenges of designing, testing and operating controlled environments.
Exhibiting on stand C3, Concept represented its specialist range of fog generators for airflow visualisation and thermal aerosol generators for HEPA filter challenging.
Of particular interest was Morgan Polen of Microrite’s presentation, “Misunderstood cleanroom tests: airflow visualisation (smoke studies), recovery test, containment leak test.” Drawing on more than 42 years of cleanroom experience, Morgan demonstrated why understanding how a test is performed and what it actually shows is essential to obtaining meaningful results.
A central message was the value of making airflow visible. Particle counts, air change rates and pressure measurements provide useful information, but smoke studies show how air actually moves through a cleanroom, around equipment and between areas of different cleanliness.
Morgan illustrated this with examples of clean air being drawn away before reaching the working area, unexpected airflow through transfer openings, and changes in airflow when doors were opened. These studies revealed potential contamination routes that were not apparent from routine measurements alone.
He also emphasised that the smoke must follow the airflow being investigated. Excessive discharge velocity can overpower local air movement, while a tracer that sinks or dissipates too quickly can obscure the true pattern. Demonstrating tracer suitability, including neutral buoyancy, was a recurring theme throughout the presentation.
The practical details matter too, enough smoke must be generated to make the airflow clear without obscuring the activity, and studies should represent actual operations, including equipment running and operators carrying out interventions. Suitable camera positions and retaining the original recordings help ensure the results can be properly reviewed.
Morgan also discussed recovery testing, stressing that it should assess how the room recovers from a particle challenge, with suitable sampling positions and a sufficiently persistent aerosol. His closing containment example, a ceiling tile lifting whenever a door opened, provided a memorable illustration of how an unnoticed building defect can undermine a controlled environment.
For Concept, the presentation reinforced the importance of choosing the right generator, tracer and delivery method for each application. We help customers select equipment suited to their airflow visualisation and aerosol testing requirements.
Thank you to the organisers and everyone who visited us at the conference.
Watch Morgan Polen’s full 2026 presentation here.
To discuss equipment for cleanroom airflow visualisation or HEPA filter testing, contact Concept Smoke Systems.
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