Portable Sterilizers

Standard Operating Procedure: Portable Sterilizer (Yamato SQ-810C)

Subject to change or revision at any time by Bakar Labs

Sterilizers are located in rooms 115, 122, 511, and 513.

Before the use of sterilizer:

1. Reserve sterilizer on Skedda.  Plan for a minimum of 3 hours per use.
2. Use the wheelbarrow near each sterilizer to carry BSL-1 trash to and from the sterilizer.  Wipe the wheelbarrow after use with 70% ethanol.
3. Prepare items for sterilization:  Loosen caps on bottles, and open bags of trash a little – to prevent things from exploding.

Preparing sterilizer:

1. Check the water inside the chamber.  Use DI water ONLY inside the chamber.  The water level should be ½-way up the drain board level gauge.

2. Check the water level in the drain bottle (outside of the chamber, open front panel). Fill with tap water at least up to the “minimum water fill-line” indicated on the drain bottle.  Pour out water if it is over the maximum fill line indicated on the outside of the door.

Using sterilizer:

1. Use steel baskets for sterilizing glassware, media, tools, etc.
2. Use a solid steel “bucket” for sterilizing non-medical waste in case something should spill or leak.  Clean the bucket after use if needed.
3. Only fill the chamber of the sterilizer up to ⅔-full.  Do NOT overfill.
4. Keep exhaust ports clear!  Do NOT block exhaust ports.  If your trash bag threatens to block exhaust ports, place an upside-down steel basket on top of the bag.  Make sure to protect the exhaust ports from anything being sucked into them.
5. For sterilizing BSL1 waste, you MUST use the LIQUID cycle.  The gentle exhaust of the liquid cycle is a MUST when sterilizing anything that could possibly be sucked into the exhaust ports such as trash.  If you are only autoclaving glassware, you may use the “regular cycle” that uses a forceful, fast exhaust.  
6. Enter temperate and time.  Press start/stop to begin the cycle.
7. Once the sterilizer has cooled down, press start/stop to end and unlock the sterilizer.  Note:  Sterilizer will not unlock until cool.
8. Remove items promptly so others may use the sterilizer, too.
9. Dispose of trash in the landfill dumpster in the loading dock.  Use the provided wheelbarrow.  Return the wheelbarrow to its sterilizer location.  Clean the wheelbarrow after use.
10. Wipe up any spills on, in, or around the sterilizer.  
11. Report any errors or problems to Support.Bakarlabs@berkeley.edu.

Safety notes:

• Never sterilize caustic (bleach), explosive, flammable, or hazardous chemicals.
• Use hot mitts to handle hot materials.
• Use caution when handling hot liquids.
• Do not open the front panel or touch the drain bottle while the sterilizer is in operation (burn danger).
• Do not block or get close to the vapor outlet on the left side of the sterilizer (burn danger).