Autoclave (steam steriliser)
Kills microorganisms, including bacterial spores, with saturated steam under pressure. Used in the QC microbiology lab to sterilise culture media, glassware and equipment, and to decontaminate used media before disposal.
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotech
- Hospitals
- Food & beverage
- Research laboratories
- Medical devices
Autoclave calibration procedures
Temperature mapping
Places calibrated thermocouples throughout the chamber and inside load items to find the coldest point and prove every position reaches sterilising temperature for long enough, expressed as an F0 value.
Open procedureBowie-Dick test
A daily test for pre-vacuum autoclaves that checks air removal and steam penetration, using a standard test pack containing a chemical indicator sheet that changes colour uniformly only if steam has penetrated fully.
Open procedureBiological indicator challenge
Places biological indicators containing at least 10^6 spores of Geobacillus stearothermophilus at the cold spots of the load, runs the cycle, and incubates them to show that no spores survive.
Open procedurePressure gauge
Compares the autoclave chamber (and jacket) pressure gauge or transducer readings with a calibrated master gauge at several points across the working range.
Open procedureInstrument qualification (DQ · IQ · OQ · PQ)
- 01
DQ — Design qualification
Defines the needs: chamber size, cycles required (liquid, porous, decontamination), air removal type, steam source, data recording with audit trail, and safety features.
- 02
IQ — Installation qualification
Confirms the autoclave, utilities (steam, water, drain, power) and documentation are installed as specified, with calibrated sensors and the correct software version.
- 03
OQ — Operational qualification
Tests the empty chamber: alarms and interlocks, vacuum leak test, Bowie-Dick test, and empty-chamber temperature distribution with thermocouples.
- 04
PQ — Performance qualification
Proves each load pattern is sterilised: heat penetration with thermocouples in the coldest containers, F0 calculation and biological indicator challenge, usually in three consecutive runs.
Keep every Autoclave in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.