Decontamination room pressure vs. corridors

CRCST practice question · Departmental Considerations

Compared with the surrounding corridors, the decontamination area should be maintained at what air pressure?

  • A. Positive pressure, so air flows out of the room
  • B. Neutral pressure, with no directional airflow
  • C. Negative pressure, so air flows into the room
  • D. Positive pressure only while washers are running

Answer

C. Negative pressure, so air flows into the room

Decontamination is kept under negative pressure so contaminated aerosols stay in the room rather than drifting into clean areas. Positive pressure is used for clean areas such as prep and pack and sterile storage, where the goal is to push air out and keep contaminants away.

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