Priorclave Autoclave

1. Priorclave Autoclave

2. Autoclave risk assessment • Autoclaves use superheated steam to sterilize materials. The high temperature (120-135oC) and pressure (15 psi (103 kPa)) have potential to create burning or explosion • Some points to consider: • If someone has sealed a container, there is a potential for explosion • The autoclave and its contents are hot! • some objects may not have fully cooled • The contents may have been loaded in an unsafe manner by the previous user or they may have moved during autoclaving • Some items may break as you take them out, or fall over • This presentation is not an exhaustive list of all possible hazards associated with the use of an autoclave. It is your responsibility to be alert to other hazards and act appropriately. If necessary, do not use the autoclave and request advice.

3. In case of emergency • Steam can cause serious burns! • In case of emergency (eg leaking steam) • if safe to do so, press red stop button on wall. Otherwise immediately evacuate the room of all personnel, close the door and notify reception & estates office.

4. Personal protective equipment • When using the autoclave, wear appropriate clothing including: • face mask • gloves (insulated gloves are available) • lab coat

5. What can be autoclaved ? • Glass bottles should be of a type intended for use in autoclaves. Do not use ordinary glass bottles or any container not designated for autoclave use. • Do not use plastic containers that aren’t suitable for autoclave use. They may melt! • When using filled containers: • Leave room in containers for expansion • All containers should be left partially loose (unsealed – but upright). This includes waste bags – need steam penetration. • Drying oven for pipette tips

6. Temperature probe • Needed to ensure temperature profile is correct (important to ensure sterilization) • Place in middle (most dense) part of load • Please be gentle with this – its expensive! • Don’t jam the lid down on the cable!! wipe the seal Probe

7. Loading – some points to consider • Don’t try to open the door if the machine is running! • Place items to be autoclaved in the basket provided • Wire basket for most equipment, empty containers • Solid basket for media and most waste – useful if risk of overflow (eg agar plates) • Leave space between items for steam penetration • Load the basket with the weight evenly distributed Uneven loading

8. Cycles • Only used the pre-programmed cycles: • Number 1: 120°C for 30 min For media, tips Number 2: 122°C for 30 min Tips, equipment • Number 3: 135°C for 60 min FOR WASTE • Programming has been deactivated • In case of error with the autoclave call Robert Lamb (5097) or estates workshop (4003)

10. Water • The is no need to add water to the new Priorclave – its connected to the mains.

11. Opening the door • See the instructions on the wall • Pressure should be 0 bar, temperature <50°C • Don’t try to force the door leave, you will just break it. • Press door button • Wait 20 sec • Display will say “hold” • Press door button again • Move leave to right following diagram This is displayed on the wall

12. Unloading- some points to consider • Do not attempt to open the autoclave until < 50°C • If necessary, leave the autoclave and allow it to cool further • Inspect the contents to check it is safe to remove them • eg check for breakages, leaks, unstable items • Consider lifting the basket out of the autoclave first • basket may be heavy! • be careful if the basket is not evenly loaded – danger of tipping up and spilling contents • Be careful of liquid dropping from basket or waste bag if you lift it out of the autoclave • Be especially careful of bottles containing liquid – the lids will probably not be tight: do not them pick up by the lid !

13. Separate areas • Please keep items to be autoclaved and items that have been autoclaved in the separate marked areas

14. Log sheet • Please fill in the log sheet before use • Check the print out conforms to the intended cycle and sign it • Sign the log sheet after use. • Attach the print out to the log sheet

15. Standard Operating Proceedure • Ensure appropriate Personal protective equipement is worn at all times. • Fill in the log sheet • Load the baskets ensuring the material to be treated is evenly distributed. Care should be taken when loading the baskets not to pack them too tightly as ample room must be left for steam to penetrate the load properly. • Place the load probe into the densest part of the load. • Wipe clean the seal on the autoclave lid, if any signs of damage report to estates and do not use the machine. If the seal is ok close and lock the lid. • Once the Autoclave is loaded select the cycle you require : • Cycle 1 is media 119ºC (30 min) • Cycle 2 is for glassware and equipment 121 ºC (30 min) • Cycle 3 is for waste 134ºC. (1 hour) • Once the door is secure and the cycle has been selected press the start button, the first light on the cycle status indicator will illuminate and the autoclave will heat up to the process temperature. • Once the process is finished the autoclave will beep for 10 seconds and the cycle complete indicator will be illuminated, this will deactivate the thermal door lock. • Check the printout indicates the temperature record is OK, initial the log sheet and attach the print out to the log sheet.