Autoclave Safety

Autoclave Safety, Usage, and Maintenance

​SAEFTY

  • Always wear proper Personal Protective Equipmment while operating
  • Make sure what you are autoclaving is approved and safe to be autoclaved
  • Make sure glass is not compromised
  • Utilize carriage cart for large units and pull out rack on small units
  • NEVER reach into an autoclave chamber
  • Carriage must latch and lock into autoclave (tug check to confirm) before loading rack into chamber - if carriage can be pulled back, it isn’t locked
  • Material should be placed on a rack, in a secondary container, and never directly onto chamber base
  • If logbook is present, log your cycle information away from autoclave door
  • If issues occur, please scan QR code to send email and hang “OUT OF ORDER” sign

USAGE

  • Utilize secondary autoclave-safe container to avoid spillage
  • Add water to allow for even heating of media
  • Ensure material is properly prepared
  • Loosely cap containers to avoid over-pressurization
  • Leave bags slightly open to allow for steam penetration
  • Choose correct cycle/time for material (time settings and cycle type descriptions below)
  • Prompt removal of material is encouraged
  • NEVER interrupt cycles UNLESS it is an EMERGENCY
    • Cycle interruptions can lead to incorrect cycle estimates and even possible downtime or maintenance
  • Please discard material consistent to EHS guidelines
  • Upon first use or waking up from Utility Shutdown, unit should be given 30 minutes to heat up
    • Most units are on a Utility Shutdown from 10pm to 8am
  • Small units (Model 250LS) have foot pedal door opener [a gentle tap]

MAINTENANCE

  • Chamber strainers should be checked weekly and emptied if debris is present 
  • Chamber and Jacket Pressure should be between 15-30psi
  • Before starting cycle, a quick check of the chamber should be done

REFERENCE GUIDE

TEMP SETTING

LIQ QTY (ml)

TIME SETTING (Min)

250*F (121*C) 75ml 25min
250*F (121*C) 250ml 30min
250*F (121*C) 500ml 40min
250*F (121*C) 1000ml 45min
250*F (121*C) 1500ml 50min
250*F (121*C) 2000ml 55min

***If liquid amount surpasses 2000ml, multiple cycles should be run***