| Cleaning and Operation of Vertical Autoclave |
1.0 OBJECTIVE To lay down a Procedure for Cleaning and Operation of vertical autoclave. 2.0 SCOPE This procedure is applicable for cleaning and operation of Vertical Autoclave in the Quality Control Department of Microbiology Area. 3.0 RESPONSIBILITY • Lab-attendant/Microbiologist: is responsible for carrying out the established procedure • Head of Microbiology : is responsible for ensuring that the SOP is followed correctly. 4.0 ACCOUNTABILITY • Department Head • Head Quality / QA 5.0 PROCEDURE 5.1 Principle of the vertical autoclave: 5.1.1 Steam is generated in the vertical autoclave by heating the purified water with an electrical coil provided at the base of the autoclave. 5.1.2 As the temperature of the chamber increase and reaches the sterilization temperature, the control system in place controls this temperature for the required sterilization time. 5.1.3 After the sterilization hold period is completed, steam from the chamber pressure to the atmospheric pressure. 5.2 Cleaning 5.2.1 Ensure that power supply to the autoclave is switched “OFF” before cleaning. 5.2.2 Clean the outer surface of the autoclave with a clean cloth socked with 70% IPA. and clean removable SS bucket and stands with the help of soap solution. 5.2.3 To clean the chamber, a drain valve is provided at bottom, place a vessel of adequate bellow it drains the water after every discarded load 5.2.4 After the chamber is emptied. Clean the chamber with soap solution, after cleaning pour purified water in the chamber (all rounds) so that the residual matters/particles are flushed out, take that the particle is not big enough to block the drain valve. 5.2.5 Microbiologist will ensure that cleaning is proper and record in format No. XXX. 5.2.6 Affix a cleaning status label on instrument cleaning status label format No. XXX. To Read this SOP click here SOP for Procedure For Handling Of Power Failure In Microbiology Department. 5.3 Cleaning and Operation of vertical autoclave. 5.3.1 Check the area and equipment is clean. 5.3.2 Open the autoclave lid by unscrewing the wing nuts. 5.3.3 Ensure that the drain valve at the bottom of the autoclave is closed. 5.3.4 Check for water level. It should be up to the mark indicated on the glass panel of the heater cover stand. 5.3.5 Instrument shall give the alarm of low water level indicator will glow. 5.3.6 Press the paddle of lift up the lid of the autoclave and slide it to one side. Load the autoclave with the load to be sterilized as per validated load configuration. 5.3.7 Now again press the paddle to move the lid to its position and then close it by clamping the fly nuts in a manner that opposite fly nuts are tightened simultaneously with equal pressure. 5.3.8 Switch “ON” the MCB. 5.3.9 The set temperature & set time (121.4°c for 30 minutes) with the help of digital temperature indicator cum controller. 5.3.10 Now press start button. 5.3.11 After this, the temperature and pressure will gradually rise, which will be indicator by MPC and pressure gauge. 5.3.12 Just before the set temperature the heater will be cut “OFF” and then gradually attain the set temperature the timer will start its countdown after the set temperature is attained. During the countdown, the temperature and hence the pressure will be maintained by the MPC by switching ON/OFF the heater in micro. 5.3.13 During this period of the countdown, the safety valve may leak slightly, which is normal. 5.3.14 After the elapse of the set time, a buzzer will sound for about 20 seconds, the heater will cut off and the solenoid valve open to exhaust the pressure. 5.3.15 If faster evacuation of the pressure, the manual steam release valve (exhaust valve) may be opened. 5.3.16 Unscrew the fly nuts only after the pressure gauge shows “0” do not attempt to open the fly nuts at even 1 or 2 psi. always wait up till the gauge reads zero before opening the lid in micro. 5.3.17 To avoid recontamination of material, unload the decontaminated articles from the SS basket and keep safely. 5.4 Setting parameters of microprocessor controller. 5.4.1 The time and temperature can be set through the Microprocessor controller. 5.4.2 When the power id switched “ON” the display will show some in built status for few seconds. 5.4.3 The main screen will appear wherein six pressing button. 5.4.4 Press the ACX for start the processes. 5.4.5 Press the mode button and set the desire temperature and time with the help of pressing of up and down button in Vertical Autoclave. 5.4.6 Press the button for current the load set. 5.4.7 Press the enter button after complete load setup for start the process. |
