When air flows into an area when the door is opened, what type of airflow is taking place?

When air flows into an area upon opening a door, this is indicative of positive airflow. Positive airflow occurs when the pressure inside a room or area is greater than the pressure outside, causing air to flow into the space. This is often utilized in environments like sterile processing areas to help keep contaminants or unfiltered air from entering. The use of positive airflow is essential to maintaining a clean and sterile environment, as it helps ensure that airborne particles do not infiltrate from areas with a lower pressure.

In contrast, negative airflow would mean that air is being drawn out of a space, which is typically used in containment situations. Static airflow refers to the condition when air is not moving, and neutral airflow implies that there is no net movement of air in or out, thus maintaining pressure equilibrium. These concepts are critical in understanding how to control contamination and maintain sterile environments in processing and clinical settings.