LimsPulse
Microbiology & sterility

Microbial air sampler (active air sampler)

Draws a known volume of air across an agar plate so that airborne microorganisms are collected and can be counted as cfu per m³. Used for active viable air monitoring of clean rooms, isolators and LAF units.

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biotech
  • Hospitals and compounding pharmacies
  • Medical devices
  • Food & beverage
Photo of a Microbial air sampler (active air sampler)
Photo: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Earik Barton, Public domain (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
CALIBRATION

Air sampler calibration procedures

Airflow calibration

Checks that the air sampler draws air at its nominal flow rate (e.g. 100 L/min) by connecting a traceable flow meter to the sampling head, so that the volume sampled and the cfu/m³ result are correct.

Open procedure
QUALIFICATION

Instrument qualification (DQ · IQ · OQ · PQ)

  1. 01

    DQ — Design qualification

    Defines flow rate, sampling volumes, head type and d50, suitability for isolators, battery life, data storage and cleaning compatibility.

  2. 02

    IQ — Installation qualification

    Records the unit, heads, firmware, calibration certificate and manuals.

  3. 03

    OQ — Operational qualification

    Verifies flow rate and volume accuracy with a calibrated flow meter, timer accuracy, alarms and data recording.

  4. 04

    PQ — Performance qualification

    Shows the sampler, heads and media recover organisms in routine use, and compares results with an established sampler where one is being replaced.

In LimsPulse · Calibration Management

Keep every Air sampler in control: usage logs, calibration and maintenance schedules, and automatic blocking of overdue instruments.

See how