procedure to be followed for the operation calibration and maintenance of Air sampler

1. Purpose    :                    

To lay down the procedure to be followed for the operation, calibration and maintenance of Air sampler.

1. Scope        :

This procedure applies for following Air samplers:

1. Responsibility      :

The responsibility of operation and calibration of Himedia Air sampler and MAS-100 NT Air sampler lies with Microbiologist / Analyst.

1. Definitions / Abbreviations:
2.  Media: A substance used to provide nutrients for the growth and multiplication of microbes.
3. Procedure:
4. Operating Procedure for Himedia Air Sampler:
5. Leave the air sampler under charge for about 14 hours before work starts.
6. Set the timer for 10 minutes by using the following steps.
7. To set the 1^st digit, Press ‘SET’ in the remote, the 1st digit in digital display will blink as “0”00
8. Press ‘B2’ in the remote twice to set the 1^st digit as  “2”00.
9. Press ‘B1’ in remote to set the 2^nd digit, it will blink as  2 “0”0.  
10. Press ‘B2’ again to set “0” in the 2nd digit.
11. Press ‘B1’ again to set the 3^rd digit, it will blink as 20 “0”.  
12. Press ‘B2’ again to set “0” in the 3rd digit.
13. Finally press ‘SET’ to obtain the setting time in the digital display 10 minutes. 
14. After setting 10 minutes, place the SS cone inside the sampler.
15. Fix the media containing petri plate without lid in SS cone.
16. Finally fix the SS feeder cone, circular clamp assembly in position.
17. Mount the sampler either horizontal/vertical position by using adopter to the MS tall stand.
18. Press ‘START’ on the remote to start air sampling and the digital display starts showing“0” to “10 minutes” as the sampling period proceeds to set time.
19. The air sampler stops to take an air when the digital display shows “10 minutes”.
20. After completion of the air sampling, remove agar plate and close with lid.
21. Repeat the same for other locations.
22. Operating Procedure of Merck (MAS-100NT) Air Sampler:
23. Before use of Air sampler MAS-100 NT is charged approximately 4 hours. Make sure that red point of the charging plug matches the black point of the handle.
24. To start the instrument push the left down button for about 2 seconds the blue diode will light up.
25. There is information on display panel as MAS-100 NT.
26. After that on second display shows instrument information such as Name, Department    location, S.No. S.Header-300x0.6, Next calibration:12 months and there is option ‘OK’ press   it or after 3 seconds it shall automatically select OK option.
27. On the third display shows current date and time with information of:

                         Mode: STD

.                       Volume: 1000 L

↓

Start                Menu

1. If  air volume program is pre-setted skip step 5.2.7 and follow the step 5.2.8
2. Setting procedure for air volume in MERCK (MAS-100NT) Air Sampler:
3. To set the required volume go to option ‘Menu’ press it there is list of options as below           

                           Shut down

                           Mode selection

                           Template data

                           Process setting

                           Standard volume

                           Delay

                           User selection

                           Print setting

                           Sample log

                           Alarm log

                           Config Device

                           System info

1. Select the standard volume option with the help of  ‘?’ascending or ‘?’ descending buttons   on right side of the display panel.
2. There is display of standard volumes as below

                           Volume 1: xxx

                           Volume 2: xxx

                           Volume 3: xxx

                           Volume 4: xxx

                           Volume 5: xxx

                                                            ↓

                           Select Volume 1

                          ↓

                           Press option ‘Change’

                                                                        ↓

                           Set the required volume (1000 L) by pressing ‘?’ascending or ‘?’ descending buttons

                                                                        ↓

                           Press option ‘Save’

1. Remove the sampling header by rotating it in anticlock wise direction then there shall be dish (Plate) supporter with 3 blue jaws which shall be adjustable as per plate size by rotating the jaws screws with the help of ELENKEY.
2. Place the prepared agar plate on the dish supporter and replace the sampling header by   rotating in clockwise direction.
3. Remove the cover lid.
4. Start the instrument by pressing button ‘Start’ on left side of the display screen.
5. Instrument starts and there is display of ‘Measurement’  
6.  Volume    : xxx

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Time Rem: xxx

                                                                                                                                                                                               State        : Running

        and blue diode shall be blinking up to the set volume reached.

1. Remove the sampling header and replace with other agar plate and do air sampling.
2. To shut down the instrument press option
3.           ‘Menu’

                                                                                                                                                                                                            ↓

                                                                                                                                                                                                ‘Shut down’

1. Incubate the plates as per procedure “Environmental monitoring for bioload in pharma and microbiology testing area” (Doc. Number:SOPxxxxx)

5.4    Record the results by considering the positive hole conversion table as given below.

Pr = N [1/N + 1/N-1 + 1/N-2 + 1/n-r+1]

Pr = Potable statistical total                N = Number of holes

r = Number of colony forming units counted on 90mm petri dish.

Calibration:

1. Air samplers shall be calibrated by external agency.
2. Frequency of calibration: Once in a year ± 30 days.
3. Maintenance:
4. The external and internal surface of the air samplers shall be cleaned with 70% IPA.
5. Perforated lid and dust cover of MAS-100NT and SS cone feeder of Himedia air sampler shall be autoclaved for 30 minutes at 121ºc.
6. In case of breakdown call the service engineer for rectification.
7. Related Documents:

Environmental Monitoring for Bioload in Pharma and Microbiology Testing area (Doc. Number: SOPxxxxx

Microbiology, procedure, operation, air sampler