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 6 of 26
5.1 Opening the Autoclave Door
(i)
Turn on the power for the autoclave
(ii)
CAUTION:
Before opening the door check the log to see if the autoclave has recently
performed a sterilisation cycle. If so the surfaces of the door and the autoclave chamber will be
hot and on opening, hot clouds of steam can escape and lead to scalding.
(iii)
To open the door, press the “Open” button displayed on the front panel. The autoclave will
alarm for 30 seconds to warn the operator to move back. The door is unlocked and
automatically opens slightly. The operator should stand clear and wait 1 minute before opening
the door fully.
(iv)
Wearing the appropriate PPE, lift the door until it reaches the vertical stop. DO NOT pull the
door from the front,
(v)
Ensure that the flexible temperature sensor (PT100) is placed in the holder in the door when the
door is opened. HINT: It is a good idea to put it in a coil, so that it does not trap in the seal of the
autoclave.
(vi)
NOTE: Before using the autoclave, ensure that the distilled water reservoir is filled to the
marked level.
5.2. Selecting the Sterilisation Cycle
Depending on the item being sterilized, you MUST select an appropriate sterilization procedure in order
to:
•
eliminate risks to personnel and to the laboratory
•
Guarantee a successful sterilization result.
A suitable sterilization procedure is selected using the arrow keys on the control unit. The corresponding
cycle number, the name of the cycle and the pictogram for the temperature sensor used appears in the
display. Eleven sterilization cycles, one cleaning cycle and two test cycles are pre-programmed in the
factory setting.
Only three of these cycles are authorised for routine sterilisation as detailed in the following
sections of this SOP (see Table 1). The use of the other cycles MUST NOT be used unless
authorised by the Laboratory Manager or Responsible Person.
