{"id":751,"date":"2025-06-14T08:29:03","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T08:29:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/?p=751"},"modified":"2025-06-14T08:29:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T08:29:03","slug":"sop-title-operation-and-cleaning-of-autoclave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/?p=751","title":{"rendered":"SOP Title: Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave"},"content":{"rendered":"

SOP Title:<\/u><\/strong> Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Objective:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    To lay down the procedure for Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Scope:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      This procedure is applicable Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave in the Microbiology Section.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Responsibility:<\/strong>\n
          \n
        • Quality Control: To prepare and review the SOP. To follow the procedures for Operation and Cleaning of Autoclave as per this SOP.<\/li>\n
        • Quality Assurance Department: To review and approve the SOP and Annexure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Accountability:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Head Quality Control Department, Head Quality Assurance Department.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Procedure:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
            \u00a0\u00a0\u00a05.1<\/strong><\/td>\nSafety Precautions<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.1.1<\/td>\nEnsure that the appropriate personal protective equipments are used during handling of Autoclave.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.1.2<\/td>\nDo not open the Autoclave before the pressure attains the zero.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.1.3<\/td>\nCheck the water level before each cycle in the Autoclave<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.1.4<\/td>\nTo achieve adequate sterilization, avoid overloading the autoclave<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.1.5<\/td>\nEnsure no items should touch the top or sides of the autoclave container.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.1.6<\/td>\nEnsure containers do not touch each other, so that all surfaces are sterilized uniformly.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            \u00a0\u00a0 5.2<\/strong><\/td>\nProcedure for Operation of Autoclave:<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.1<\/td>\nEnsure that the equipment is clean & free from dust and is disconnected from the mains prior to its use.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.2<\/td>\nOpen the lid of the autoclave.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.3<\/td>\nCheck 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.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.4<\/td>\nConnect the plug to the mains supply.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.5<\/td>\nKeep the pressure release valve in ON position.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.6<\/td>\nArrange loading in autoclave so that the maximum amount of surface can be exposed to the jets for better sterilization. Avoid crowding or stacking.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.7<\/td>\nEnsure containers do not touch each other, so that all surfaces are sterilized uniformly.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.8<\/td>\nPlace 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.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.9<\/td>\nLoad the glassware\u2019s or media to be sterilized along with a strip of self adhesive chemical indicator tape.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.10<\/td>\nGlassware\u2019s are plugged with non-absorbant cotton.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.11<\/td>\nTest tubes are sealed with autoclavable caps.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.12<\/td>\nPetri plates and pipettes are sterilised in respective canisters.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.13<\/td>\nClose the lid by sliding it and tighten all the nuts.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.14<\/td>\nSwitch \u2018ON\u2019 the mains and set the temperature at 121\u00b0C or desired temperature.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.15<\/td>\nAllow the temperature to reach upto 100\u00b0C to remove out vapour along with trapped air and water droplets.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.16<\/td>\nClose pressure release valve.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.17<\/td>\nSlowly temperature will increase and reach set temperature.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.18<\/td>\nDigital temperature display will show set temperature and the pressure gauze will display the pressure.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.19<\/td>\nSet the desire pressure by adjusting pressure release valve.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.20<\/td>\nRecord the sterilisation cycle details in Annexure.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.21<\/td>\nRefer SOP \u2018Procedure for media preparation and sterilisation\u2019 for media preparation.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.22<\/td>\nFor Glassware\u2019s, sterilisation period is 30 minutes at 121\u00b0C at 15 psi. Media<\/p>\n

            sterilisation period is 15 minutes at 121\u00b0C or as per media requirement.<\/td>\n

            		 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.23<\/td>\nIf the autoclave cycle fails to be completed due to a power outage, the load must be discarded.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.24<\/td>\nAt the end of sterilization period, switch the mains off and wait for the pressure gauge of the autoclave to show zero pressure on gauge.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.25<\/td>\nOpen the lid of the autoclave.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.26<\/td>\nSlowly open autoclave lid, Using heat resistant gloves carefully transfer the content to the tray.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.27<\/td>\nCheck the colour of chemical indicator tape used for sterilization cycle.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.28<\/td>\nIf colour change is not satisfactory, then discard the load and investigate the cause.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.29<\/td>\nAt the end of day\u2019s work, open water drain valve and allow water to drain out.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.2.30<\/td>\nFor assigning the Autoclaving Load number for every cycle:<\/p>\n

            This sequence is carried out for one calendar year.<\/td>\n

            		 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            \u00a0\u00a0 5.3<\/strong><\/td>\nCleaning: Frequency is weekly\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.3.1<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Switch OFF the autoclave.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.3.2<\/td>\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Disconnect the plug from Mains supply.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.3.3<\/td>\nWipe the exterior surface of the autoclave with 2.5% savlon or dettol.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.3.4<\/td>\nScrub the chamber using 1% v\/v (1 ml in 100 ml) of commercially available liquid soap solution.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.3.5<\/td>\nOpen the drain valve at the bottom and drain out the water into the sink.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.3.6<\/td>\nRinse the chamber thoroughly with water to remove all residual particles and detergent. Rinse finally with purified water.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.3.7<\/td>\nWipe the outside body of the autoclave with clean lint free cloth.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            \u00a0\u00a0 5.4<\/strong><\/td>\nPreventive Maintenance:<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.4.1<\/td>\nPerform the preventive maintenance as per Define Annexure.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
            5.4.2<\/td>\nIf 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.<\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

            \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Definitions <\/strong>\/ Abbreviations: <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \n
              • Definitions:<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • Abbreviations: <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
                Abbreviation<\/strong><\/td>\nExpansion<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
                \u00b0C<\/td>\nDegree Centigrade<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                ml<\/td>\nmillilitre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                psi<\/td>\nPer square inch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                +<\/td>\nPlus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                v\/v<\/td>\nVolume by volume<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
                %<\/td>\npercent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

                \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

                *Note – Ready to use SOP available in \u201cDOWNLOAD\u201d Section.<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/template-full-width.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-microbiology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=751"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":752,"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/751\/revisions\/752"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmacoguide.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}