background image

 

Autoclaves

 

with

 

quick

opening

 

doors

 

18 

Every autoclave with quick opening doors should be 

provided with devices which ensure that:   

(a) 

the autoclave cannot be pressurlsed unless the door is 
completely closed, the securing mechanism fully engaged 
and the chamber sealed. This may be achieved by an 
interlocking device between the door securing mechanism 
and the pressurising system. If pressure is applied from an 
external source, eg steam, air or other gas, the interlock 
should be between the door securing mechanism and the 
pressurising fluid inlet valve. If pressure is raised by 
boiling liquid in the vessel, the interlocking arrangement 
should be between the door securing mechanism and the 
source of heat. Where pressure is applied by a pump, the 
pump should not be able to pressurise the system unless 
the door securing mechanism is fully engaged;   

 (b)    the source of pressure is isolated and the autoclave vented 

to reduce the internal pressure to atmospheric conditions 
before the door securing mechanism can be disengaged;   

 (c)    the operator has warning of any residual pressure in the 

vessel or of any process liquid in the vessel at an unsafe 
temperature before he can disengage the door securing 
mechanism. This may be achieved by providing a 
separate test cock interlocked with the door securing 
mechanism. The test cock should be of adequate size (a 
minimum bore of 12 mm is recommended), protected 
against blockage, (see note), and so positioned that any 
discharge does not endanger any person.   

Note: 

A

 

rod should be provided to enable the operator to 

verify, every time before the door is opened, that the test 
cock bore is not blocked. The rod should be of sufficient 
length to clear the bore through to the autoclave chamber. 
It should be cranked at the handle end, and the test cock 
outlet arranged so that any discharge will not injure the 
person making the test.   

 (d)    the door does not open violently because of any residual 

pressure remaining in the vessel. An example of a 
suitable device for this purpose is a safety catch which 
has to be released independently after the door securing 
mechanism has been disengaged and after the door 
seal has been broken.   

(e)   

the door cannot be opened until the temperature of 

the liquid has been reduced to a safe level. For example, in the 
case of autoclaves containing process liquid at or near scalding 
temperature, it should not be possible to open the door until the 
temperature is less than 80

0

C when the danger of flash vapour 

is eliminated. That may be achieved by using an interlocking 

arrangement incorporating a temperature sensing device 
located in that part of the vessel which is expected to remain at 
the highest temperature at the end of the cycle.   

19    Written procedures for operating the door securing 
mechanism should be permanently and prominently displayed at 
or near the operating point.   

 20    Opening and closing of doors should only be   
carried out by properly trained and authorised personnel.   
 

Autoclaves with bolted doors 

 
21    Autoclaves may have multi-bolted or single-bolted doors. 
Failure to secure all the door bolts of a multi-bolted door may lead 
to dangerous conditions. Operators should therefore be warned 
during training and periodically thereafter of the possible 
consequences of failing to tighten all bolts before starting a cycle. 
Such practices may save time but can lead to a dangerous failure 
of the door.   
 

Multi-bolted doors 

 
22    An operator is unlikely to release all the securing   
bolts of a multi-bolted door of an autoclave under working 
pressure without being aware of the danger indicated by a 
gradual leakage of vapour or fluid contents during the slackening 
of the bolts. However, when the vessel is under slight or residual 
pressure there is a danger of the door seal sticking even after the 
bolts have been removed; consequently this may lead to the door 
being violently blown open. Multi-bolted doors should therefore 
be provided with a device which either:   

 (a)    breaks the seal 

before 

all the bolts are disengaged. so that 

the door remains captive until the seal is broken. If the 
door is hinged, the device should be attached to one or 
more of the bolts. preferably opposite the hinge. If the door 
is not hinged, more than one device may be necessary; or   

 (b)    restricts the door opening to not more than about 5mm 

after it has been unbolted. An example of a suitable 
device is a safety catch which has to be released 
independently of the door being unbolted and which may 
not be released until the door has been 'cracked' open 
and the seal broken. 

Single bolted doors 

23   

Small autoclaves with a hinged door may be secured 

by a single bolt or similar device opposite the hinge. This is 
normally acceptable for small autoclaves up to approximately 50 
Iitres capacity. On larger units at least two fastenings should be 
provided opposite the hinge. Safeguards similar to those for 
multi-bolted doors (para 22) should be incorporated on single 
and double bolted doors. If the initial 'cracking' of the door seal is 
likely to lead to a dangerous emission of vapour or scalding 
liquid, the door should be considered to be 'quick-opening' and 
the safeguards described in para 18(b) and 18(c) provided.   

Summary of Contents for GEMINI-MP25 with SmartCard

Page 1: ...Operators Manual GEMINI MP25 with SmartCard Serial number 2140 Rodwell Scientific Instruments Bentalls Basildon Essex England Tel 44 0 1268 286646 Fax 44 0 1268 287799 Manual issue 14 12 10...

Page 2: ...ECHNICAL INFORMATION 7 RISK ASSESSMENT AND SAFETY 8 USER REPONSIBILITES 9 A GUIDE TO THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY CONTROL MEASURES 10 DISPOSAL CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 1...

Page 3: ...a means of breaking the pressure seal with the door restrained The development of the Rodwell GEMINI has resulted in a unit that is both easy to use and service SAFETY NOTE We recommend that a copy o...

Page 4: ...ard water areas the supply should be treated to avoid chamber element and pipe scaling Distilled water water softening units that use salts reverse osmosis systems or de ionised water supplies are not...

Page 5: ...packing materials are removed from inside the autoclave chamber Fill the chamber with water until display stops displaying Low water message Close the door and tighten the bolt tip of bolt must regist...

Page 6: ...nt program number sterilise temperature and period If the power was interrupted during a program cycle then if it is possible the machine will continue with the program if this is not possible for exa...

Page 7: ...ressing the up or down buttons the program details will be displayed or will be blank if a program number has not been set up If the machine has the option for Instrument programs Where the chamber is...

Page 8: ...r open is pushed if you do not wish to remove the load at this time but want to stop the sounder operating it is also possible to push the stop button to return the unit to Select prog Mode without re...

Page 9: ...they are displayed in minutes except for the sterilise time which is in hours and minutes temperature is always in degrees centigrade Note that some functions described may not operate on your machin...

Page 10: ...top button will cause the machine to abort the current cycle and to immediately start cooling Standby If set to on the water temperature will be maintained at a preset temperature to speed up the heat...

Page 11: ...has occurred take any necessary precautions as the load my not be sterile NOTE you will not be able to reset a lockout condition until the temperature has fallen below 80 C USB Memory This option will...

Page 12: ...to operate the memory stick must be inserted into the USB socket on the control panel Do not remove the memory stick while a cycle is in progress as the system cannot then log the cycle and data may b...

Page 13: ...n suffix MSL is applied to all log names Using the logger display program Please refer to the separate manual for information on using this program A PDF file on the memory stick explains fully how to...

Page 14: ...low water if filling is required Close the door and tighten the bolts until you hear a beep Bottom bolt first Choose the required program cycle if the correct program is not already set then change th...

Page 15: ...epeating the above sequence To re start the cycle simply press the start button once the cause of the fault has been rectified Pressure switch The safety door interlock pressure switch failed to opera...

Page 16: ...thermal lock solenoid does not pull in then the door cannot be opened Turn the bottom lock bolt a little in each direction to try and free it Water level low Out of water Fill with water and restart...

Page 17: ...art Door not closed Tighten door bolts DO NOT FORCE Water level Low Fill with water Water level is not Water too pure detected by probes Setting too high Reset temperature 136 degrees C max Fails to r...

Page 18: ...rinter mechanism press and hold the paper feed button until the mechanism takes the paper and it starts to appear from the front of the printer 4 Ensure that the paper follows the correct path as per...

Page 19: ...Correct paper path Main door release catch Printer release catch PUSH Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Ribbon above paper Feed paper between ribbon and cartridge...

Page 20: ...fitted 120 5 C 1 0bar 134 C 2 0bar 2 Check that indicating display and alarms function correctly 3 Check pipe connections for signs of leaks 4 Lightly lubricate the door bolt with high melting point c...

Page 21: ...d in the form of a Preventative Maintenance Contract along with Rodwell or NAMAS Calibration Services For details of Service Calibration Contracts contact Rodwell Scientific Instruments Service Depart...

Page 22: ...FE DESIGN OPERATING LIMITS Maximum Working Temp 138 C Minimum Working Temp 7 C Maximum Hydraulic Pressure 4 14 Bar Maximum Working Pressure 2 26 Bar Maximum Working Vacuum Minus1 Bar SODIUM CHLORIDE W...

Page 23: ...through loading and unloading Use Loading Hoist or Loading Trolley Burns and Scolds from opening the autoclave before cycle complete Locks fitted However care should always be taken Damage to Load Pro...

Page 24: ...odium chlorides from the load or from the water used in filling the vessel the operator carries out routine maintenance checks as stated in this manual the operator must is fully trained before using...

Page 25: ...y Records Earth Continuity Test on all metal panels recorded This is a Safety Critical Operation Insulation Type Class1 for Insulation Resistance Test Safety Critical Components adjusted and maintaine...

Page 26: ...y If the Autoclave is to be permanently demolished and or scrapped divide the material to be disposed of according to type and composition as follows 1 Iron or ferrous materials composed of metal alon...

Page 27: ...rent legislation s and guide lines relevant to the country in which the equipment is to be used are obtained and adhered to for the safety of personnel and the safe operation of the equipment Whilst e...

Page 28: ...rts for 2 years 2 off 312 0009 Door Seal 6 off 315 0201 Heater Element 277V 4 off 309 5038 Heater Glands 6 off 836 0180 PT100 Black Probes 2 off 820 0067 Bolt Safety Switch 2 off 309 0763 Thermal Lock...

Page 29: ...piry date Comments Signature Service 3 Date Machine cycle count Engineer s Name Company Name Rodwell certification No Certification expiry date Comments Signature Service 4 Date Machine cycle count En...

Page 30: ...neer s Name Company Name Rodwell certification No Certification expiry date Comments Signature Service 16 Date Machine cycle count Engineer s Name Company Name Rodwell certification No Certification e...

Page 31: ...ick opening doors locking mechanisms may be manually or power operated In the following text the term door should be taken as including the lid of a vertical autoclave DANGERS 7 Autoclaves give rise t...

Page 32: ...s SAFEGUARDS Design 14 All parts of an autoclave its foundations and supporting structures should be properly designed of good construction sound material and adequate strength The requirements for ac...

Page 33: ...inated That may be achieved by using an interlocking arrangement incorporating a temperature sensing device located in that part of the vessel which is expected to remain at the highest temperature at...

Page 34: ...tly robust and securely attached to the autoclave prevent them being distorted overridden or defeated during normal operation They should function reliably be properly maintained and be kept correctly...

Page 35: ...affected by a work activity 37 The Factories Act 1961 Section 30 may apply see HSE Guidance Note GS5 Entry into confined spaces 38 The Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Container Regulations 1989...

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