SOP Title: Procedure for Operation, Cleaning and Calibration of Incubator

SOP Title: Procedure for Operation, Cleaning and Calibration of Incubator

1. Objective:

To lay down the procedure for Operation, Cleaning and Calibration of Incubator.

2. Scope:

This SOP is applicable for Operation, Cleaning and Calibration of Incubator (30-35°C) located in the

Microbiology Section.

 

3. Responsibility:

• Quality Control: To prepare and review the SOP. To follow the procedures laid down for operation, cleaning and calibration of Incubator (30-35°C) as per this SOP.
• Engineering Department: To carry out preventive maintenance as per schedule and procedure defined.
• Quality Assurance Department: To review and approve the SOP and Annexures.

 

4. Accountability:

Head Quality Control Department, Head Quality Assurance Department.

5. Procedure:

 

5.1	Safety Precautions/Instructions:
5.1.1	Ensure all the electrical connections are properly earthed. Ensure the power plug of the Incubator is fixed in the socket properly.
5.1.2	Wear personal protective equipments such as protective hand gloves, nose masks during operation of equipment.
5.1.3	Ensure that the ON/OFF switch is working properly by switching “ON” the Incubator.
5.2	Operation  Procedure:
5.2.1	Check the validity of Calibration before starting any operations.
5.2.2	Switch ON the mains.
5.2.3	Set the incubator to its desired temperature 32° (i.e. 300 C to 350 C) by rotating the temperature knob.
5.2.4	Green coloured indicator light will glow indicating the working of the thermostat is satisfactory.
5.2.5	Incubator temperature monitoring should be recorded twice in a day. Morning session and end of the shift and its record shall be maintained in Annexure ‘Temperature Monitoring Record’.
5.2.6	All petri plates, tubes, slants placed in the incubators should be labelled with sample name, batch number and date manually using a marker pen.
5.2.7	Update the “Instrument/Equipment Usage Log Book” for Incubator as per SOP.
5.2.8	After appropriate time of incubation, remove the samples to prevent overcrowding or contamination of incubator.
5.2.9	Do not switch OFF or disturb the incubators after setting the desired temperature parameter during performance of unit.
5.2.10	If any time incubator shows the reading out of range, follow the procedure as per deviation SOP.
5.2.11	The equipment service engineer must be contacted for appropriate servicing/repair of the equipment followed by a recalibration that must be done before the reuse of the same.
5.3	Cleaning Procedure:
5.3.1	De-dust the external surface of Incubator with lint free cloth.
5.3.2	Clean the internal surface of Incubator with wet cloth soaked in 70% v/v Iso Propyl Alcohol.
5.3.3	Frequency : every fifteen days from inside and daily from outside.
5.4	Calibration Procedure:
	Frequency:  Once in a year or after carrying out any major maintenance work.
5.4.1	Parameters Set value Acceptance Criteria   Temperature 30°C 30°C ± 1°C 33°C 33°C ± 1°C 35°C 35°C ± 1°C
5.4.2	Generate the A. R. No. as per SOP and give requisition to QA department for calibration formats of equipment on the due date of calibration.

6. Definitions / Abbreviations:

• Definitions:
• Breakdown: Any activity leading to operation of equipment other than the set parameters and/ or unusual sound or vibration observed in the equipment.
• Calibration: Tests performed to ensure that the equipment is functioning as per set parameters. These tests are performed as per predefined frequency and also after any major repair or replacement of parts.
• Preventive Maintenance: Maintenance activity performed to ensure that the equipment will function smoothly and to avoid breakdowns. These activities are performed as per predefined frequency.
• Abbreviations:

Abbreviation	Expansion
hrs	Hours
No.	Number
v/v	Volume by volume
°C	Degree Celsius
QC	Quality Control
A.    R. No.	Analytical Reference Number

 

*Note – Ready to use SOP available in “DOWNLOAD” Section.