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Protocol for Cleaning and Maintenance of Refrigerated Centrifuge
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Periodic maintenance of the refrigerated centrifuge is essential to ensure that the centrifuge is in optimum condition.
Daily Maintenance:
- For a refrigerated centrifuge that is turned off at the end of the day, open the top to allow the centrifuge chamber to dry (Figure 1).
- During the day, when the unit is under refrigeration, leave the top closed to avoid condensation and ice buildup.
- The centrifuge must not be used if the interior is hot, if unusual vibrations or noises occur, or if deterioration (corrosion of parts) is detected. A qualified service technician should be contacted.
Figure 1: Refrigerated Centrifuge with Open Top to allow the centrifuge chamber to dry
Weekly Maintenance:
- Autoclave metal parts OR soak them in a disinfectant (not bleach or alcohol) for 15 minutes, rinse with sterile water and air dry.
- Soak lids in freshly prepared 1% bleach for 5 minutes and rinse with 70% alcohol or sterile water.
- Checking the rotors and rotor bores visually for residue and corrosion (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Lids and Rotor Bores
Monthly Maintenance:
- Clean the centrifuge housing, rotor chamber, rotors and rotor accessories with a neutral cleaning agent, e.g., mild soap.
- Lubricate rotor threads with lubricant.
- Lubricate O-rings with lubricant supplied by the manufacturer.
- Clean plastic and non-metal parts with a fresh solution of 1% sodium hypochlorite (bleach), followed rinsing with sterile water.
Note: Each laboratory should maintain centrifuge usage record in a log book (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Centrifuge Usage Log Book
Annual Maintenance:
Full service should be provided by a qualified service technician, which may include the servicing of the following:
- Centrifuge brushes
- Timer
- Electrical components
- Leaks
- Speed
Good practices for centrifuge usage:
- Always carefully read the operating manual before the initial operation of the centrifuge.
- Run the centrifuge with samples that are symmetrically loaded in the aerosol tightened buckets and open the buckets in the Bio Safety Cabinet (BSC) after centrifugation is done.
- Routinely check the silicon O-ring for any wear & tear of the aerosol lid.
- Always use centrifuge tubes that will withstand the required centrifugation speed.
- Perform maintenance activity as required.
Practices to be avoided when using the centrifuge are:
- Moving or knocking during operation
- Running the unit when there is heavy noise from the machine
- Running with unbalanced sample load
- Running if there is any wear & tear with the O-ring of the aerosol lid
- Adding water to a specimen to balance tubes
- Stopping the running cycle
Resources
- World Health Organization Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 3rd edition, p72-73.
- Global Laboratory Initiative Training Package on LC.
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