CONTROLLED COPY
Centre for Biological Engineering
Standard Operating Procedure
SOP025
Title: USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEC VX 95 AUTOCLAVES
Location:
Autoclave Room, H31, CBE
Version 004
Effective Date: 28
th
June 2020
Review 28
th
June 2022
Written by: A. Chandra
Reviewed by: P.Hourd
Approved by: R.I.Temple
Page 19 of 26
Mastercopy
CAUTION:
There is danger of crushing and or amputation between the door and the edge of the
autoclave chamber if the door has not been completely opened.
(iii)
If required, remove the flexible temperature sensor from the autoclaved item (or
reference vessel) and fix it to the holder provided for it in the door.
(iv)
If fully loaded tubs/baskets are too heavy to lift manually they should be
partially unloaded
before removal from the autoclave. Alternatively an electrically-operated lifting device is available
(Max load = 35Kg) to assist unloading. It is mounted directly onto the appliance. It enables you to
load and unload heavy loads without any exertion. A swivel arm also facilitates operation.
(v)
Remove the basket, tub or item from the autoclave chamber and check the indicator tape:
➢
Totally black lines indicates that steam exposure was effective
➢
Not totally black lines indicate failure during the discard cycle. Re-autoclave the waste
by loading with sterilisation indicators and record the results in the User Log
➢
If it is fails
again, report the problem to the responsible person or laboratory manager
5.9. Switching off the autoclave
(i)
After use, switch off the autoclave at the main switch located at the side of the autoclave
(ii)
If some danger has been detected in the autoclave switch off the autoclave at the main
switch.
NOTE:
When the power supply is switched off during operation, the current process is
interrupted. The autoclave gradually returns to a depressurized state and low temperature, and
can then be opened safely. After the power supply is interrupted and then switched on again,
the autoclave returns to the state it was in before the power supply was interrupted. Any error
messages that may have been displayed on the control panel before the interruption are
displayed exactly as before. The pressure and temperature values displayed reflect the current
state.
(iii)
In case of emergency; to shut off the steam source switch the power off using the
emergency safety switch located on the ceiling of the autoclave room above the autoclaves
(
NOTE:
a pole is provided to enable the operator to perform this action). Leave the autoclave
room and prevent others from entering. Consult the Laboratory Manager or Responsible Person
and contact the DSO.
