454795567.

doc

Document type: SOP

Document code: TB 07-06 CENTRIFUGE USE AND MAINTENANCE

Confidentiality: none

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PURPOSE........................................................................................................................ 2
2. SCOPE............................................................................................................................ 2
3. RESPONSIBILITIES........................................................................................................2
4. CROSS-REFERENCES...................................................................................................2
5. PROCEDURES................................................................................................................ 3
5.1. General Safety.........................................................................................................................3
5.2. Centrifugation.........................................................................................................................3
5.3. Quality control.........................................................................................................................4
5.4. Maintenance...........................................................................................................................4
5.4.1. Cleaning................................................................................................................................4
5.4.2. Servicing...............................................................................................................................4
6. REFERENCES................................................................................................................. 5
7. CHANGE HISTORY......................................................................................................... 5

This SOP template has been developed by FIND for adaption and use in TB laboratories
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1. PURPOSE

This operating procedure describes the use and maintenance of the centrifuge. Optimal operation of
the centrifuge is achieved through regular servicing and preventive maintenance. A centrifuge is
intended to separate particles in a liquid by sedimentation. Dense particles sediment first, followed by
lighter particles. In a TB laboratory, centrifuges are used for the sedimentation of tubercle bacilli and
their concentration within liquefied sputa or body fluids (usually urine).

To obtain a high sedimenting efficiency of 95%, i.e. 95% of bacilli recovered in the sediment
and only 5% of bacilli still in suspension to be discarded with the supernatant, it is necessary
to maintain 3.000 g for 20 minutes at 10°C.

Sedimenting efficiency is determined in RCF (and not in rpm), and is a measure of speed for a
particular centrifuge head. The relative centrifugal force (RCF), measured in g, is determined
according to the formula:
RCF = 1.12 x 10-6 x R x (rpm)2

 R = radius in millimeters from the centre of the rotating head to the bottom of the
spinning centrifuge tube
 rpm = number of revolutions per minute

For example: to generate a RCF of 3,000 g, the required rpm is calculated from the formula:

RCF
rpm = 1000
1.12 x R

2. SCOPE

This SOP covers procedures involving centrifugation in the _______________TB Laboratory.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

All staff members working in the _______________TB Laboratory are responsible for the
implementation of this operating procedure. All users of this procedure who do not understand it or are
unable to carry it out as described are responsible for seeking advice from their supervisor.

4. CROSS-REFERENCES

See: Document Matrix_TB 01-01_V1.0.doc

Location:

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Refer to SOPs listed under General Procedures (TB 02), Specimen Handling (TB 03) and test-specific
SOPs.

5. PROCEDURES

5.1. General Safety

 Use safety aerosol-free buckets for centrifugation.

 Open and unload the buckets inside the Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC).
 Use laboratory trolley to transport buckets to BSC or carry only one at a time holding it with both
hands.
 Make sure that buckets have been balanced properly before centrifugation.
 Only use those centrifuge tubes that will withstand the relevant RCF.
 Do not overload the rotor. Overloading can result in destruction and severe damage to the
centrifuge.
 Load the rotor symmetrically. Failure to do so may lead to detrimental wear to the motor and drive
system.
 Preventive maintenance procedures for the centrifuge must be carried out according to Section
4.5.
 Any problem or malfunction detected must be reported to the Head of the
______________Laboratory, who will contact the maintenance contractor to correct the
problem/malfunction as soon as possible.
 Users are NOT to make any repairs. Repair and service of the centrifuge must be done by a
qualified service technician.
 In the case of any problem or malfunction an ‘Out of Service’ notice must be placed on the
centrifuge indicating that it is not to be used until the problem has been diagnosed and corrected.

5.2. Centrifugation

 Load the aerosol-free buckets with specimens inside the BSC symmetrically. If you centrifuge odd
number of tubes use a tube with appropriate amount of water for balance.
 Seal lids of the buckets tightly.
 Check the inside of the centrifuge and the rotor to ensure that everything is dry. If there is any
sign of corrosion, discontinue use until the corroded part has been repaired by a qualified service
technician.
 Install the buckets in the rotor making sure that symmetrically loaded buckets are placed in
positions opposite to each other.
 Setup (or verify) the centrifuge parameters.
 Press the “START” key in the control panel.
 If a value exceeding the maximum permissible speed or RCF of the respective rotor is entered,
this is indicated after centrifuge start by the alternately flashing messages “rotor” and the
maximum permissible value for the inserted rotor. Within 15 seconds this value may be requested
by again pressing the “start” key; the centrifugation is then continued. Otherwise the centrifuge
stops, and you must enter a permissible value.
 The lid cannot be opened during centrifugation.
 Stopping with preset run time. As soon as the speed reaches zero, the display reads “End”. The
centrifuge may now be opened by pressing the “open lid” key. If the lid has not been fully lifted out
of the lid lock, the message “Lift lid” appears (lid must be manually lifted by operator).
 Centrifuge may be manually stopped at any time by pressing the “Stop” key. At this point, the
remaining run time is displayed.

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 Stopping in continuous mode. If using continuous operation, you must stop the centrifuge
manually (see above).
 Record centrifugation conditions in the Centrifugation Logbook.

Use: Centrifugation Logbook_form.doc

Location:

5.3. Quality control

 Sediments and supernatants should be visible after centrifugation.

 The centrifuge should 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.
 An Equipment Failure Notice must be placed on the centrifuge indicating that work is
prohibited.
 An Equipment Failure Report must be issued.

Use: Equipment Failure Notice_form.doc

Equipment Failure Report_form.doc
Location:

5.4. Maintenance

5.4.1. Cleaning
Clean the centrifuge according to Cleaning and Laboratory Maintenance SOP.

Use: Laboratory Cleaning and Maintenance_TB 02-05_V1.0.doc

Location:

Record cleaning in the Laboratory Cleaning and Maintenance Logbook

Use: Laboratory Cleaning and Maintenance Logbook_form.xls

Location:

5.4.2. Servicing
Service must be done by a qualified service technician. The service technician must ensure that the
unit operates safely and properly. This would include checking the centrifuge brushes, timer, speed
and electrical leaks.

Records of the service must be kept in the Equipment Maintenance File

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Use: Equipment Maintenance File_form.doc

Location:

6. REFERENCES

World Health Organization. Maintenance and repair of laboratory, diagnostic imaging and hospital
equipment. Geneva: WHO; 1994.

World Health Organization. Manual of basic techniques for a health laboratory. 2nd ed. Geneva: WHO;
2003.

World Health Organization. Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Basics of quality assurance
for intermediate and peripheral laboratories. 2nd ed. Cairo; 2002.

7. CHANGE HISTORY
New version # Old version # No. of Description of changes Source of
/ date / date changes change request

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