After-Sales Service And Maintenance; Important Notes - Thermo Scientific VARIOKLAV 65 TC Operating Manual

13.1 After-sales service and maintenance

Observe the recommendations on service intervals for the sterilizer and periodic
inspections for the pressure vessel in line with the European Guideline concerning
Medical Devices 93/42/EEC and the Pressure Equipment Directive PED 97/23/EC.
Please check also the electrical safety of your equipment (pursuant to BGV A2) in
accordance with the regulations.
We recommend service of the sterilizer by our service engineers at least once a
year (annual inspection). In addition, maintenance contracts are available to
assure continual safety checks.

13.2 Important notes

All pressurized parts of the sterilizing chamber and of the steam boiler that may be
exposed to sterilized items are made from stainless steel (Material No. 1.4571 DIN
17440). The chamber has been electrically polished on the inside. This quality has
proved to be suitable for most sterilizing goods. However, it is known that this
material may corrode in certain circumstances.
When sterilizing vessels, instruments or parts made of steel or iron (e.g.
scissors), the sterilizing chamber (9) or the door (1) may exhibit a rust film. This
film may occur if iron dust is deposited on the door (1) or on the walls or floor of the
sterilizing chamber (9).
If the sterilizing chamber (9) comes in contact with inorganic acids, either when
cold or when hot, the surface of the pressure vessel may be corroded. Even
plaques such as sometimes occur on the walls of the pressure vessel may cause
corrosion under certain circumstances.
Substances containing chlorine ions, especially 0.9% NaCl solution, cause a
special type of corrosion, pitting. Pitting increases with
• Increasing chlorine ion concentrations;
• Increasing temperature.
It is not only the composition and concentration of the corroding agent, but also the
temperature, the pH value, and other influences that have to be taken into
consideration. Minimal additional quantities of e.g. oxidising or reducing
substances may attenuate or aggravate the process.
CAUTION
For error-free operation and to avoid corrosion damage,
carefully follow the maintenance manual.
Thermo Scientific
13 Maintenance information
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