11 Maintenance and cleaning
03/2007
52
DA0621_a/
11.1 After-sales service and maintenance
Observe the manufacturer's recommendations on service intervals for the sterilizer
and periodic inspections for the pressure vessel in line with regulations covering
pressure vessels. Please, check also the electrical safety of your equipment (VDE
test pursuant to VBG 4, Section 5) in accordance with the regulations.
We recommend service of the sterilizer by our service engineers at least once a
year (annual inspection). In addition, maintenance contracts are available to
assure continual safety checks.
11.2 Important notes
All parts of the pressure vessel that may be exposed to sterilized items are made
from stainless steel (Material No. 1.4571 DIN 17440). This quality has proved to be
suitable for most sterilizing goods. However, it is known that this material may
corrode in certain circumstances.
When sterilizing vessels, instruments or parts
made of steel or iron
(e.g. screw
caps), the sterilizing chamber (8) or the door (2) may exhibit a rust film despite
their stainless-steel material. This film may occur if iron dust is deposited on the
door (2) or on the walls or floor of the sterilizing chamber (8).
If the sterilizing chamber (8) comes in contact with
inorganic acids
, either when
cold or when hot, the surface of the pressure vessel may be corroded. Even
plaques such as sometimes occur on the walls of the pressure vessel may cause
corrosion under certain circumstances.
Substances containing chlorine ions,
especially 0.9% NaCl solution, cause a
special type of corrosion, pitting. Pitting increases with
•
increasing chlorine ion concentrations
•
increasing
temperature
It is not only the composition and concentration of the corroding agent, but also the
temperature, the pH value, and other influences that have to be taken into
consideration. Minimal additional quantities of e.g. oxidising or reducing
substances may attenuate or aggravate the process.
CAUTION
In order to guarantee smooth operation and prevent corrosion
damage, please follow the checklists for regular maintenance
and care and the maintenance manual to the letter!