SOP Title: Operation, Cleaning and Calibration of Muffle Furnace
- Objective:
To lay down the procedure for Operation, Cleaning and Calibration of Muffle Furnace.
- Scope:
This SOP is applicable for Operation, Cleaning and Calibration of Muffle Furnace located in Quality Control Laboratory
- Responsibility:
- Quality Control: To prepare and review the SOP. To follow the procedures laid down for Operation, Cleaning and Calibration of Muffle Furnace 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.
- Accountability:
Head Quality Control Department, Head Quality Assurance Department.
- Procedure:
| 5.1 | Safety Precautions/Instructions: | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.1.1 | Ensure all the electrical connections are properly earthed. Ensure the power plug of the muffle furnace is fixed in the socket properly. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.1.2 | Wear personal protective equipments such as safety glasses, heat resistant gloves during operation of equipment. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.1.3 | Ensure that the ON/OFF switch is working properly by switching “ON” the muffle furnace. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2 | Operation: | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.1 | Switch ON the main switch. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.2 | The main indicator red light and yellow light will glow and the temperature panel display will show the temperature in o C. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.3 | Set the required temperature on the digital temperature controller by pushing red key present at the left side of “Temp. SET” knob and rotating the “Temp. SET” knob. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.4 | Relieve the red key button after the required temperature is set. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.5 | Move the “Energy Regulator” knob clockwise to corresponding temperature. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.6 | Wait till the temperature controller display shows the set temperature. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.7 | Open the door of the muffle furnace by pushing the lever upwards and place the crucible containing sample inside the muffle furnace with the help of long pair of tongs. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.8 | Immediately close the door. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.9 | Allow the substance under test to remain inside muffle furnace at a specified temperature and specified time as mentioned in the respective pharmacopoeia or specification. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.10 | After completion of analysis, Switch OFF the mains of the muffle furnace. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.11 | Open the door of the muffle furnace, remove the crucible containing sample and place it in desiccator till it attains the room temperature. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.12 | Immediately close the door of the muffle furnace. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.2.13 | Update the “Instrument/Equipment Usage Log Book” as per SOP “Calibration of Instruments and Equipment’s”. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.3 | Cleaning Procedure: | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.3.1 | Switch OFF the mains of the muffle furnace. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.3.2 | Ensure that the temperature of the muffle furnace is nearly at room temperature when cleaning inside. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.3.3 | Clean the inside and outside of muffle furnace with lint free cloth or soft brush before and after use. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.4 | Calibration Procedure: | |||||||||||||||||
| Frequency: Once in a year by external agency. | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5.4.1 | Calibration is carried out by external agency as per SOP “Calibration of Instruments and Equipment’s”. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.4.2 | Refer Annexure for calibration test to be performed and acceptance criteria.
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| 5.4.3 | Generate the A. R. No. on the “Instrument/Equipment Calibration Register” as per SOP and give requisition to QA department for calibration formats of instruments/equipments on the due date of calibration. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.4.4 | For issuance of calibration report refer SOP “Control of documents, Preparation, Approval, Issuance and Maintenance. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.4.5 | Update “Annual Calibration Schedule” and “Monthly Calibration Schedule” as per SOP “Calibration of Instruments and Equipments”. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.5 | Preventive Maintenance: | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.5.1 | Perform the preventive maintenance as per define Annexure. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.5.2 | If preventive maintenance activity is outsourced, the observations are to be transcribed in the Annexure and external party certificate to be attached. | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.5.3 | If any breakdown occurs, follow procedure as per SOP “Calibration of Instruments and Equipments”. | |||||||||||||||||
- Definitions / Abbreviations:
- Definitions:
- Calibration: Tests performed to ensure that the instrument/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 |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure |
| QC | Quality Control |
| QA | Quality Assurance |
| A. R. No | Analytical Reference Number |
| No. | Number |
| oC | Degree Celsius |
| PM | Preventive Maintenance |
*Note – Ready to use SOP available in “DOWNLOAD” Section.