Purchasing and owning a steriliser these days is nothing like it was say, 15 years ago. Times have changed. Regulations have moved on. The British have, at last, become Europeans! Christine Slade reports.
The purchase of a steriliser is something that is probably only thought of because: the old faithful in the corner has just been condemned by the boiler inspector; the pressure cooker you have happily been using for the past 20 years simply is not big enough to accept the increase in capacity; or, like a gift from the gods, a good deal of money has opportunely landed in the department's lap.
Any of these scenarios can occur but its only when they do, that you start looking through the different models on offer, do you realise that there is a whole new world devoted to effective sterilisation, just waiting for you.
Feasibility studies
The decision has been made and a new autoclave is required. Current as well as future applications and requirements have been evaluated, feasibility studies of where to site the new equipment have been carried out, cost of ownership and ongoing costs have all been taken into consideration, budget has been applied for and you have been acourting' the financial director for months.
Finally an order is placed and the day dawns when the equipment and the installation engineer arrives on site.
While not an earth shattering event in isolation it is, nevertheless, the moment when all your efforts are about to be realised.
Then disaster! "Sorry sir/madam but the provided services are not adequate for our needs and, until this situation is rectified, we are unable to install the equipment.“
Wasted money
A few frantic telephone calls later and the truth emerges. Thousands of pounds sitting idle because no one gave consideration as to the space the new unit would require, or where the drainage and pipework needed to be!
Further, hundreds of pounds required to rectify the situation!
You may think that the highest hurdle to overcome would be the cost of initial purchase not so. If you have ever been in the unenviable position of being tasked with setting up a laboratory and purchasing the necessary equipment in order to fulfil objectives set by others, then the above may be all too familiar.
Misguided belief
It is now no longer sufficient to just point the outlet pipe from the back of an autoclave at a hole in the floor in the misguided belief that somehow steam and condensate will find its own way out safely. These days you are more likely to fall foul of your Health and Safety Officer or even contravene water board regulations.
OK, so where do you go for the most relevant and expert information?
United Kingdom manufacturers of autoclaves are required to comply with not only the newly published European Pressure Equipment Regulations which incorporates design, manufacturing and inspection standards from all countries within the European Union, but they are also to take into account the relevant sections of, amongst others, both the PD5500: 2000 Category 3 and
BS 2646.
Efficient filtration
It is within the BS 2646: Part2: 1990 that guidance has been given with particular reference, in this instance, to: planning for and installation in laboratories of autoclaves for the sterilisation of material and equipment, including those which may be contaminated with organisms categorised as Hazard Groups 1,2 or 3.
So, before you sign off that all-important order think again. Have you received all the relevant information from the autoclave supplier regarding its installation, or will you just bury your head in the sand in the hope that, just maybe, dreams do come true? u
ENQUIRY No 73
Christine Slade, Priorclave Limited, Woolwich, London, England. www.priorclave.co.uk
Reference:British Standards Institution, London BS 2646: Part 2: 1990 Guide to planning and installation.
