CONTROLLED COPY
Centre for Biological Engineering
Standard Operating Procedure SOP025
Title: USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEC VX 95 AUTOCLAVES
Location: Autoclave Room, H31, CBE
Version 004 Effective Date: 28
th
June 2020 Review 28
th
June 2022
Page 1 of 26
1. PURPOSE
To describe the procedure for the use and maintenance of the Systec VX 95 Series Autoclaves; No.
CBE045 (Don Whitley Serial No. 3099) and CBE044 ( Don Whitley Serial No. 3098) in the CBE
Autoclave Room (H31).
2. SCOPE
This SOP describes operational procedures for using the Systec VX95 Series (No CBE045/CBE044)
autoclaves for :
1)steam sterilization and safe disposal of solid biological waste that may contain biological agents
or Genetically Modified Organisms, as defined in the CBE Code of Practice, where solid waste may
include solid culture and stocks of infectious material, culture dishes, flasks and related devices,
sharps bins, contaminated solid items such as paper towels, plastic pipettes, pipette tips, vials and
gloves.
2) steam sterilization of aqueous solutions and media not exceeding 5L,
3)sterilization of reusable equipment (not waste) that may include bottles, beakers, pipettes, forceps;
tubing etc. All procedures described in this SOP for solid or liquid waste treatment have been
validated. Typical waste batches are described in Annexes at the end of the SOP.
SPECIAL NOTES: HEALTH & SAFETY
Risks to the operator
The autoclaves are state-of-the-art and built according to standard safety regulations. Nevertheless, the
danger of death or injury to the user or a third party, or damage to the autoclave or other material assets,
can arise when using the appliance. For this reason, the autoclave is only to be used as it is intended to
be used and in a faultless condition with regard to safety. NOTE: Faults that could impact on safety
must be resolved immediately. The following residual risks result from the function of the autoclave,
and must be considered at all times:
(i) Crushing and or amputation hazards - There is a danger of crushing or amputation of hands or
fingers between the edge of the door and the edge of the container if closing of the door is no
longer damped by spring or hydraulics.
(ii) Burn and scald hazards when unloading the autoclave (for some designated cycles) from (1)
hot vessels or liquid escape from vessels leaking (2) hot surfaces inside the container or near the
sterilisation substance. Hot surfaces of the door and chamber (3) escape of hot clouds of steam
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