Operation , Temperature verification, cleaning and maintenance

of Dry Bath Incubator

Objective:
 To lay down a procedure for operation , calibration, cleaning and maintenance of Dry bath
incubator

Scope:
 This SOP is applicable for operation, calibration, cleaning and maintenance of Dry bath incubator in
Microbiology Laboratory of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital Ltd.

Responsibility:
 Microbiologist or above of Microbiology Laboratory
 Head- Microbiology section/ Nominee

Accountability:
 Head- Quality Control / Nominee
Abbreviations and Definitions:
 SOP : Standard operating procedure
 No : Number
 QC : Quality Control
 QA : Quality Assurance
 IPA : Isopropyl Alcohol

Procedure:
 Operation:
 Connect to the power cord of the heating block to the electrical main switch.
Switch on the mains and switch on the power supply of the heating block by pressing switch at the
back of the heating block.
 Gently place the indicator vial into the block chamber.
 Place the Indicator vial in to the wells of heating block.
 Set the required temperature for performing the test, on the temperature controller Using
the shift, increment and decrement key and then press set key to for acceptance of that set
value.

 After reaching the set temperature leave the vial for incubation for specified
time limit without any vibration.
 Record the operation details in the temperature log book.
Temperature Verification:
 Set the required temperature i.e. 37 *C for temperature verification.
 Place a calibrated thermometer in one of the tube for few seconds and record the temperature
and also note down the display temperature of heating block.
 Take out and wipe the thermometer with the help of tissue paper for cleaning the water
droplets.
 Continue the process for all the remaining eleven tubes of Dry bath incubator.
 Record all the thermometer readings as well as heating block display temperature.

Precautions:
 Place the vial on a board vibration free surface.
 When incubation is in progress do not disturb the incubator or the table which incubator is
kept.

Frequency of Calibration: Once in a month.

 Acceptance Criteria; 37 + 1 *C

Cleaning:
 Clean the dry bath incubator using a damp soft cloth soaked in 70% IPA.
 Clean the blocks using a mild detergent solution with soft brush and completely dry the
blocks before placing it back into the equipment.
Maintenance:
 The blocks should be cleaned regularly.
 Never cover the dust cover while operating and also until 45 minutes of switching off.
 Maintain ambient environment temperature for better temperature control and
accuracy of equipment.
 Unplug the equipment’s main cable from mains while cleaning and equipment is not in
use.

Forms and Records:

 Dry bath Incubator Log book

Distribution:
 Master copy - Quality Assurance
 Controlled copies - Quality Assurance, Production, Quality Control, Stores,
Engineering and Human Resource

History:

Date Revision Number Reason for Revision

00 NEW SOP