Shared Equipment

Autoclave Use

Autoclave Use: Orange protective gloves have been provided for each of the BMC autoclaves on floors 4-5-6, and the three large autoclaves in B2422. All the gloves have been marked as to which autoclave they belong to. Please exercise care (and consideration) by not walking away with these protective gloves. They were meant to keep everyone from getting burned, not just you.

If you use the autoclave, you should be around to remove your items when the run is complete. Leaving items in the autoclave overnight will put the unit in a state where it may not reset the steam valves, and allow water (condensate) to collect in the steam traps, causing problems for the next user. Please be considerate, and remove your items in a timely manner.

When not in use, the doors of all autoclaves should be left open. The reason for this is that when the autoclave doors are closed, they exert pressure on the door seals, shortening their useful life. The doors of the large autoclaves in the basement should be left open about 6″ to help in keeping room B2422 from becoming a sauna. Our autoclaves are tested monthly (see Efficacy tab for details).

If you have any problems in getting the autoclave to open after a run, try turning the green power switch to “off”, wait about 15 minutes, then turn the power switch back to “on”. This will reset the autoclave. If this doesn’t work, or if you encounter any other autoclave problems, email Joe Oliva: jmoliva@wisc.edu .

Autoclave use guidelines from UW Safety (PDF documents):

• Autoclave Quick Guide

• Autoclave Failure Guide

• Autoclave Poster

• Recommendations for Use

Autoclave Efficasy Testing

Autoclave Efficacy Testing: All autoclaves normally used by BMC (floors 4-5-6, three large autoclaves in room B2422, and the Teaching Lab Autoclave, room 2126 Biochemistry) undergo monthly efficacy testing per UW Health & Environmental Safety protocol. ProSpores bacteria ampules are used for the testing, and the autoclaves are tested during a 30-minute sterilization time, 250F liquids cycle. The results are posted in a log attached to each autoclave, and on the wall in B2422. Any questions on efficacy testing should be directed to Joe Oliva.

Glassware Washer Use

Glassware Washer Use: The BMC glassware washers are located in room B2422. There are four washers in this room, two operated by BMC, and two kept in storage by the Biochemistry Dept., with who we share the resources of this room. If you have any problems with the glassware washers, email Joe Oliva jmoliva@wisc.edu .

The glassware washers were installed at a cost of $238,000, and the cost of the washer racks in the adjacent room were more than $60,000. That means you are using a washing system that in total costs over a quarter of a million dollars! Please treat the washers and the racks accordingly (with great care), as there is currently no funding available to replace either. Please make sure the glassware you are about to wash is free of all tape and labels. If tape or labels get sucked into the washers, they will collect in the water pumps and cause them to fail (cost of repair several thousand dollars).

When not in use, please return the washer racks (gently) to the storage racks in the adjacent wash room.

Joe checks the glassware washer status a couple of times a week to replace the detergent and neutralizer, and clean the water filters. You may occasionally see a message flashing on the control panel:

Check DOS-1: This means the detergent is running low and needs to be changed.

Check DOS-3: This means the liquid neutralizer agent needs to be changed.

Replace Course Filter: The air filters for the dryer are due for replacement.

Replace Fine Filter: The HEPA air filters for the dryer are due for replacement.

Send Joe an email if you see any of these messages jmoliva@wisc.edu .