Table of Contents
Advertisement
From Scope of BS2646
"This Part of BS2646 gives guidance on the planning for, and installation in laboratories of,
autoclaves for the sterilisation of materials and equipment, including those which may be
contaminated with organisms categorised as Hazard Groups 1, 2 or 3. It does not cover the
installation of autoclaves used for material contaminated with organisms categorised as
Hazard Group 4, for which complete containment of condensate is considered to be essential."
A further comment in a later clause adds...
"In certain circumstances, e.g. special research activities involving high concentration and/or
large volumes of agents in Hazard group 3, additional safeguards may be required. The advice
of the Health and Safety Executive should be sought in each such case. Further containment
than that detailed above, (Generally as described below in this case.) filtration or heat
treatment of discharge is only necessary for autoclaves used to process material contaminated
with organisms in Hazard Group 4."
In case of any doubt the full text of BS2646 should be consulted.
The autoclave requires a sealed connection to a trapped building drain. This drain should be
provided with a heat resistant vent pipe of 30mm minimum diameter vented freely to
atmosphere at a safe location outside the building. Care must be taken in the design of the
drainage connection to ensure that an air break will be preserved at all times to prevent the
autoclave from sucking water back from the drain as it cools. Excessive back pressure
produced by restrictions in the vent pipe may impair the function of the autoclave. Note that
at some stages of the cycle the autoclave may discharge steam under pressure, and if vent
flow is inadequate steam may be forced to exit via other interconnected drains.
If possible it is always advisable to connect the autoclave to a drain to cut down on the
amount of steam discharged into the laboratory. A compression fitting should be
incorporated in the drainpipe in an easily accessible location to enable easy disconnection for
maintenance purposes.
All drain piping should head downward towards the drain to prevent water collecting in the
pipe.
Attention should be paid to the material of the vent pipe as steam and water discharged from
o
the autoclave can be at temperatures in excess of 100
C. In the case of autoclaves with pulsed
free-steaming, vacuum drying, and vacuum cooling it may be advisable to fit a drain
condenser to cool the autoclave discharge, and condense the steam.
The drain and vent pipe should be in place prior to commencement of installation by
Priorclave. It will then be possible to make connections from the autoclave directly into the
16
Advertisement
Table of Contents
