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Priorclave Manual 27125322-EN Issue 2
Important Notices and Warnings
Priorclave Pressure Vessels and Autoclaves are manufactured according to BS2646 Part 1
(1993). It is recommended that the user/operator ensures that the autoclave is installed,
operated, maintained and tested according to parts 2,3,4 & 5 of this standard for safe and
effective use and that an adequate logging record of operation and maintenance be
established.
Before despatch from our works all Priorclaves are subjected to rigorous electrical safety tests
to the appropriate standards. Should you or your contractors carry out further insulation and
flash tests as part of your internal procedures please disconnect the switch mode power
supply before testing. Failure to do so will result in a test failure and may lead to corruption of
the microprocessor memory which cannot be covered by our warranty.
Safety
If you are unclear about any aspects of this manual, the use and operation of the autoclave or
your autoclave process please contact Priorclave or your authorised Priorclave dealer before
proceeding.
Always wear gloves a facemask and adequate protective clothing when unloading an
autoclave and ensure that the workload does not exceed safe limits.
Priorclave are pleased provide training for operators in the use of their autoclaves at a small
extra charge.
Thermal Lock
The safety Thermal Lock (80
load and procedure defined in paras. 3.3.3.2.3 and 3.3.3.3 of BS2646 Part 5:1993.
The relatively light load defined under this procedure may not be appropriate to the load to
be autoclaved in your Priorclave. Therefore, to ensure compliance with Health & Safety
Executive Guidance Note PM73 'Safety at Autoclaves' and to avoid possible injury you are
strongly advised to have your autoclave with its normal working load formally validated, and
the thermal lock set up accordingly by properly trained personnel.
Stainless Steel Pressure Vessels.
Vessels are manufactured from grade 316 stabilised stainless steel, designed built and tested
in accordance with PD5500 category 3 as required by BS2646 Part 1. Grade 316 stainless steel
is employed to reduce the corrosive effects of substances such as hydroxides and chlorine.
However we recommend that the interior of the vessel is kept free of such potentially harmful
substances and is regularly cleaned out with soft water. The use of chlorine based or other
aggressive cleaners is not recommended. Exposure to such chemicals could damage the
surface finish and the integrity of the pressure vessel and door. Care should also be taken not
to routinely introduce such chemicals where they are used to pre-wash items that form part
of the load. In such cases the items should be thoroughly rinsed before autoclaving.
Product Life
Due to fatigue occurring in normal use the life of all pressure vessels is finite regardless of
corrosion, erosion or other damage. Using calculations from PD5500, and assuming working at
the maximum working pressure of 2.4 bar this gives the autoclave vessel a projected fatigue
life of 15,000 operating cycles. The lifespan of the autoclave will obviously depend upon
frequency of use, but for example (based on a 365 day working year) if the autoclave is used
two or four times per day this gives a working life of 20.5 to 10.2 years respectively. Your own
o
C door retention device) has been set in accordance with the
06/06/2012
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