SOP Title: Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave
- Objective:
To lay down the procedure for Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave.
- Scope:
This procedure is applicable Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave in the Microbiology Section.
- Responsibility:
- Quality Control: To prepare and review the SOP. To follow the procedures for Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave as per this SOP.
- Quality Assurance Department: To review and approve the SOP and Annexure.
- Accountability:
Head Quality Control Department, Head Quality Assurance Department.
- Procedure:
| 5.1 | Safety Precautions | |
| 5.1.1 | Ensure that the appropriate personal protective equipments are used during handling of Autoclave. | |
| 5.1.2 | Do not open the Autoclave before the pressure attains the zero. | |
| 5.1.3 | Check the water level before each cycle in the Autoclave | |
| 5.1.4 | To achieve adequate sterilization, avoid overloading the autoclave | |
| 5.1.5 | Ensure no items should touch the top or sides of the autoclave container. | |
| 5.1.6 | Ensure containers do not touch each other, so that all surfaces are sterilized uniformly. | |
| 5.2 | Procedure for Operation of Autoclave: | |
| 5.2.1 | Ensure that the equipment is clean & free from dust and is disconnected from the mains prior to its use. | |
| 5.2.2 | Open the lid of the autoclave. | |
| 5.2.3 | Check the water level of the autoclave if necessary and fill the autoclave with Purified Water up to the red mark of the water level indicator. | |
| 5.2.4 | Connect the plug to the mains supply. | |
| 5.2.5 | Keep the pressure release valve in ON position. | |
| 5.2.6 | Arrange loading in autoclave so that the maximum amount of surface can be exposed to the jets for better sterilization. Avoid crowding or stacking. | |
| 5.2.7 | Ensure containers do not touch each other, so that all surfaces are sterilized uniformly. | |
| 5.2.8 | Place empty flasks, test tubes or other non-porous containers on their sides with loose covers. This provides a horizontal pathway and prevents trapping of air pockets. | |
| 5.2.9 | Load the glassware’s or media to be sterilized along with a strip of self adhesive chemical indicator tape. | |
| 5.2.10 | Glassware’s are plugged with non-absorbant cotton. | |
| 5.2.11 | Test tubes are sealed with autoclavable caps. | |
| 5.2.12 | Petri plates and pipettes are sterilised in respective canisters. | |
| 5.2.13 | Close the lid by sliding it and tighten all the nuts. | |
| 5.2.14 | Switch ‘ON’ the mains and set the temperature at 121°C or desired temperature. | |
| 5.2.15 | Allow the temperature to reach upto 100°C to remove out vapour along with trapped air and water droplets. | |
| 5.2.16 | Close pressure release valve. | |
| 5.2.17 | Slowly temperature will increase and reach set temperature. | |
| 5.2.18 | Digital temperature display will show set temperature and the pressure gauze will display the pressure. | |
| 5.2.19 | Set the desire pressure by adjusting pressure release valve. | |
| 5.2.20 | Record the sterilisation cycle details in Annexure. | |
| 5.2.21 | Refer SOP ‘Procedure for media preparation and sterilisation’ for media preparation. | |
| 5.2.22 | For Glassware’s, sterilisation period is 30 minutes at 121°C at 15 psi. Media
sterilisation period is 15 minutes at 121°C or as per media requirement. |
|
| 5.2.23 | If the autoclave cycle fails to be completed due to a power outage, the load must be discarded. | |
| 5.2.24 | At the end of sterilization period, switch the mains off and wait for the pressure gauge of the autoclave to show zero pressure on gauge. | |
| 5.2.25 | Open the lid of the autoclave. | |
| 5.2.26 | Slowly open autoclave lid, Using heat resistant gloves carefully transfer the content to the tray. | |
| 5.2.27 | Check the colour of chemical indicator tape used for sterilization cycle. | |
| 5.2.28 | If colour change is not satisfactory, then discard the load and investigate the cause. | |
| 5.2.29 | At the end of day’s work, open water drain valve and allow water to drain out. | |
| 5.2.30 | For assigning the Autoclaving Load number for every cycle:
This sequence is carried out for one calendar year. |
|
| 5.3 | Cleaning: Frequency is weekly | |
| 5.3.1 | Switch OFF the autoclave. | |
| 5.3.2 | Disconnect the plug from Mains supply. | |
| 5.3.3 | Wipe the exterior surface of the autoclave with 2.5% savlon or dettol. | |
| 5.3.4 | Scrub the chamber using 1% v/v (1 ml in 100 ml) of commercially available liquid soap solution. | |
| 5.3.5 | Open the drain valve at the bottom and drain out the water into the sink. | |
| 5.3.6 | Rinse the chamber thoroughly with water to remove all residual particles and detergent. Rinse finally with purified water. | |
| 5.3.7 | Wipe the outside body of the autoclave with clean lint free cloth. | |
| 5.4 | Preventive Maintenance: | |
| 5.4.1 | Perform the preventive maintenance as per Define Annexure. | |
| 5.4.2 | If preventive maintenance activity is outsourced, the values are to be transcribed in the Annexure, and external party certificate to be attached. Frequency of Preventive maintenance is Quarterly. | |
- Definitions / Abbreviations:
- Definitions:
- Abbreviations:
| Abbreviation | Expansion |
| °C | Degree Centigrade |
| ml | millilitre |
| psi | Per square inch |
| + | Plus |
| v/v | Volume by volume |
| % | percent |
*Note – Ready to use SOP available in “DOWNLOAD” Section.