Autoclave positioning and installation- some tips from Priorclave
24 August 2009
When planning and designing a laboratory the task of positioning or repositioning a Laboratory Autoclave can be at either end of the “easy-impossible” scale.
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In older buildings, which have been adapted from their original uses, access and drainage can be a problem. With newer buildings it is not unusual for architects, when designing and positioning a laboratory, to overlook the requirements for large, heavy pieces of laboratory equipment such as autoclaves. It is often the case that little thought is given to the services and space required for the installation of such equipment or to the removal of equipment with a shorter life-span than the building.
The increased sophistication of laboratory autoclaves with venting and vacuum systems, coupled with an increased awareness of possible bio-hazards means that in most cases it is no longer sensible to plan the position of an autoclave without considering drainage and water supplies.
Some key questions to ask are:
Positioning and Installation
• Can you get the autoclave into the suggested location via any steps, corridors, tight corners and doors?
• If on an upper floor, is a suitable lift available?
• Will there be enough space around it for service access?
• Is access to a drain available and if so is the drain vented?
• Will the drainpipes and joints stand the temperature of the exhaust from the autoclave?
• Room size - Just how much space do you really have?
For a cabinet type autoclave you should ideally allow the following:
to the sides, 1 metre,
to the rear, 300mm,
to the front, 2 metres or twice the length of any loading trolley.
• Will heat extraction be required, especially if installation is planned in a separate small autoclave room?
Any reputable supplier will be able to provide assistance, advice and information on these factors. Often you will be able to arrange a site survey to make sure that everything is going to fit.
Services.
What services do you have or need and how do they match up with the manufacturers' requirements? These may include:
• Electrical Supply - 415 Volt 3 Phase or 240 Volt Single Phase and how many amps?
• Water – will mains water be OK or will treated (softened or RO) water be required? Is the supply pressure sufficient?
• Drains - are they heat resistant?
Drains should withstand steam up to 140°C. Domestic plastic waste pipes will melt if connected to an autoclave and on some other systems, although the pipes are temperature resistant, the joints can be affected over time. This can be overcome by cooling the autoclave exhaust but is better arranged at the time of manufacture rather than after a costly leak.
• Are they big enough?
• Are they vented at a high level outside of the building?
• Is a separate drain for overflows and drip trays required?
Steam (if required)
• Plant Steam or Clean Steam?
• Is the line pressure acceptable and is the steam dry enough?
Compressed air
• If required, is there sufficient pressure and capacity?
A problem with any of these issues is not necessarily the end of the world; by talking to the autoclave supplier or manufacturer early in the planning process most issues can be quite easily overcome.
Other Press Releases By This Company
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- 25/01/2023 - New Autoclaves, Easier Match
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- 26/11/2020 - ACT Gives Priorclave Green Credentials
- 04/06/2020 - Priorclave gains Saudi Arabian FDA Approval for its Autoclave range
- 06/02/2020 - Priorclave Launches Global Autoclave Website
- 17/01/2020 - Priorclave Shows Autoclave Range at Medlab 2020
- 14/11/2019 - Lab Autoclaves with Eco credentials at Medica 2019
- 19/06/2019 - Priorclave Extends its Sterilising Support to Laboratories
- 24/05/2019 - Priorclave Launches New Autoclave Controller
- 25/01/2019 - Priorclave Shows Latest Autoclave Advances at Medlab 2019
- 15/10/2018 - Priorclave Launches New Autoclave Developments at Medica 2018
- 09/08/2018 - Priorclave’s Autoclaves NOW Have Wi-Fi Connectivity
- 27/03/2018 - Examine Priorclave's latest autoclave functionality at ACHEMA
- 07/03/2018 - Autoclaves renowned for reliability at Analytica 2018
- 06/03/2018 - Priorclave celebrates 30 years manufacturing Autoclaves
- 22/02/2018 - Priorclave Draws in Visitors at Medlab exhibition
- 16/01/2018 - Priorclave Highlights Versatile Front-loading Autoclave at Medlab
- 09/11/2017 - Priorclave Energy Efficient Autoclaves at Medica
- 02/11/2017 - Priorclave Wins Prestigious US Autoclave Contract
- 02/08/2017 - Printer Up-Grade on Lab Autoclaves
- 05/07/2017 - Priorclave Appoints New CEO for its American Operation
- 15/05/2017 - Compact Top Loading Autoclave for Labs with Limited Space
- 24/03/2017 - 25th Anniversary for Priorclave’s Service Manager
- 03/02/2017 - Stackable Autoclaves from Priorclave give Labs Greater Sterilising Flexibility.
- 25/01/2017 - Energy Efficient Lab Autoclaves featured at Medlab
- 11/11/2016 - Priorclave launches an autoclave How to Build video
- 10/10/2016 - Priorclave Features Energy Efficient Autoclaves at Medica
- 16/09/2016 - Priorclave Appoints New Service Manager
- 02/09/2016 - Priorclave Launches New 400 Litre Autoclave
- 25/07/2016 - Autoclave Manufacture Launches New Top Loader
- 08/07/2016 - Priorclave Signs up to London Living Wage
- 16/06/2016 - Priorclave Awarded £½M Autoclave Export Contract
- 21/04/2016 - Higher Throughput, Lower Cost Lab Autoclaves
- 18/11/2015 - Free impartial guide to Autoclave selection
- 09/11/2015 - New Faces in Priorclave’s Customer Care Team
- 22/10/2015 - Priorclave Reveals the Inside Story at Medica – stand 1EO2
- 08/09/2015 - Cylindrical Camber Autoclave Breaks the Rules
- 07/07/2015 - New Autoclave Designed for Sterilising Extra-bulky Dense Waste
- 01/05/2015 - Tamperproof Laboratory Autoclaves
- 12/02/2015 - Priorclave Features Top Loading Autoclaves at Arab Health
- 05/12/2014 - New Autoclave Product Guide from Priorclave
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- 04/07/2014 - Sterilise short and tall items side-by-side
- 28/05/2014 - Get an insight into Britain’s best innovative Autoclave manufacturers
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- 04/02/2013 - Priorclave simplifies loading of Vertical Autoclaves
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- 16/07/2012 - Priorclave appoint new Sales Manager
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- 03/05/2012 - Priorclave to unveil Autoclaves with touch screen controls at Achema 2012
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- 10/04/2012 - Priorclave cuts sterilisation costs at York University
- 20/03/2012 - Priorclave supplies Autoclaves to new academic health science centre facility
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- 16/12/2011 - Priorclave success at London Vet Show
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- 20/05/2011 - Science World to show latest Compact Autoclaves from Priorclave are small by design but big on features
- 21/04/2011 - New Priorclave Autoclave bound to be first
- 24/02/2011 - Priorclaves' healthy return from Medlab exhibition
- 06/12/2010 - Priorclave take a stand at Arab Health Exhibition
- 24/03/2010 - Priorclave combats surface microbial growth
- 04/12/2009 - Priorclave at Arablab 2010
- 18/09/2009 - Walk into Priorclaves' Autoclave at Medica 2009
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