• Check the air intake filter to see if it is seated and secure. • Empty and clean the steam generator of deposits and scales: – Switch off the autoclave and close the water or steam supply; – Expect the pressure gauge to drop to approximately 0.1 bar(e) / 10 kPa(e); – Where applicable, remove the safety cap that prevents accidental opening of the steam generator’s drain valve; – Slowly open the drain valve. The steam generator must be emptied completely; – When emptying is complete, close the valves and restart any device that protects against accidental opening; – Where applicable, open the steam supply again; – Turn on the autoclave and acknowledge the alarm; – Proceed and fill generator with water; – Test the operation of the dry boil protection.
Monthly
• Check that the closing movement of the door can be stopped by gently pushing the guard plate in the anti-movement direction of the door.
Quarterly
• Check the door seal seal. If necessary, lubricate or replace the seal. Remember that special operating conditions may require shorter or longer intervals of checking. • Perform a leak test using the Leak Test cycle.
Semiannually
• Clean all filters and seals. • Perform a leak test using the Leak Test cycle. • Clean all traps. Remove the dirt deposited on the bottom and on the floats. • Check that the piping in the unit installation is watertight. • Seal all leaks. Replace any draining gaskets. • Check that all the screws on the power, ground, and neutral cables are tight. • Clean the intake filter at the float valve inlet. • Clean the intake filter at the inlet of the cooling water valve. • Perform the following routines for the door: – Check the action of the door; – Check the position of the door, vertically, laterally and backwards/forwards; – Verification of the operation of the sealing seal and its fitting; – Lubricate or replace the door seal if necessary;
• Check the seals on all safety valves. If the seal is not intact, the valve has to be replaced. • Check if any of the safety valves are running water or steam. • Check the tightness of the resistances and fixings of the level control electrode. • Check that the end screws on the resistors are tight. • Check that the pressure in the steam generator is regulated within the limits specified in the electrical diagram. • Check that the safety contactors are on and off by flipping the switch. • Check the operation of the operation panel, all LEDs, and the printer, if any.
Annually
• Temperature and pressure sensors linked to the control system must be verified with documented accuracy, traceable to a national standard. The temperature measurement error should not exceed 0.5 °C and that of the pressure should not exceed ±8 mbar / ±0.8 kPa / ±0.115 psi within a range 0-1 bar(a) / 0-100 kPa(a). • Check and adjust the water level in the water feed tank so that it is approximately 12 mm below the overflow. • Check that the inlet and return water do not cause bubbles in the water supply. The formation of bubbles oxygenates the water supply, increasing the amount of non-condensable gases in the steam produced. • Check and adjust the amount of water for the vacuum pump and, where applicable, its protection against cavitation.
