Rigid panel containment system and related methods

A contaimment system for separating a containment area from an external environment, the containment system comprising:

• a plurality of adjustable height assembly panels attached to one another in a side-by-side arrangement to form a continuous wall that serves as a barrier between the containment area and the external environment,
• wherein each of the adjustable height assembly panels comprises a lower assembly and an upper assembly slideably attached to the lower assembly,
• wherein each of the adjustable height assembly panels is movable between:
• a locked configuration where the upper assembly and the lower assembly are constrained from movement relative to one another in a vertical direction;
• and
• an unlocked configuration where the upper assembly and the lower assembly are movable relative to one another in the vertical direction to adjust a height of the adjustable height assembly panel;
• and
• wherein the containment system seals the containment area from the external environment regardless of whether the plurality of adjustable height assembly panels are in the unlocked configuration or in the locked configuration.

A method of assembling a containment system for separating a containment area from an external environment, the method comprising:

• providing at least one adjustable height panel assembly, the at least one adjustable height assembly panel comprising a lower assembly and an upper assembly slideably attached to the lower assembly;
• raising the upper assembly of the at least one adjustable height panel assembly relative to the lower assembly of the at least one at least one adjustable height panel assembly such that an upper edge of the upper assembly is adjacent to a ceiling;
• and
• engaging at least one adjustment mechanism to lock the upper assembly and the lower assembly relative to one another,
• wherein the containment system seals the containment area from the external environment while the upper assembly is being raised relative to the lower assembly;
• and
• wherein the containment system also seals the containment area from the external environment when the upper assembly and the lower assembly are locked relative to one another.