What feature can help maintain containment at doorways in containment zones?

What feature can help maintain containment at doorways in containment zones?

• A. Doors remain open.
• B. Windows in doorways.
• C. Airlocks or vestibules.
• D. No door controls.

Answer: (C)

An airlock or vestibule provides a buffering transition between containment zones, preserving the pressure differential and reducing uncontrolled air exchange when doors are operated. By having two doors (often interlocked) and a controlled airflow in the intermediate space, you prevent direct bulk air movement from one zone to another as doors open or close. This keeps the higher-risk area under the designed negative pressure and minimizes the chance of contaminants escaping to cleaner areas. Doors left open, windows in doorways, or no door controls would bypass this buffering effect and allow air to move freely between zones, compromising containment.

An airlock or vestibule provides a buffering transition between containment zones, preserving the pressure differential and reducing uncontrolled air exchange when doors are operated. By having two doors (often interlocked) and a controlled airflow in the intermediate space, you prevent direct bulk air movement from one zone to another as doors open or close. This keeps the higher-risk area under the designed negative pressure and minimizes the chance of contaminants escaping to cleaner areas. Doors left open, windows in doorways, or no door controls would bypass this buffering effect and allow air to move freely between zones, compromising containment.