ALWAYS Autoclave instruments in distilled water / tap water / soft water, as hard water will leave deposits on the instruments and make joints stiff. If water softener is used it should be used at recommended level as too much may cause discolouration.

ALWAYS Autoclave instruments with ratchets open or else they may break due to unnecessary stress as they are highly tempered.

ALWAYS Use instruments for the purpose for which they are designed.

ALWAYS Handle all instruments gently. Never overstrain drop or misuse them.

ALWAYS Check instruments for damage after use. Clean and decontaminate all instruments in cold or lukewarm water as soon as possible after use as failure to do so may result in the instrument becoming stained and the joints stiff.

ALWAYS Ensure that all instruments are thoroughly dried and lubricated with water-soluble instrument lubricant before being stored.

ALWAYS Pack and store instruments carefully on a piece of cloth or towel with the heavier ones lying at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. Instruments with fine tips should be stored in a case separately.

NEVER Autoclave instruments in hard water.

NEVER Autoclave instruments with their ratchets locked.

NEVER Misuse the instruments or overstrain their joints and ratchets.

NEVER Leave soiled instruments to dry on their own. If it is not possible to clean them immediately after use then soak them in cold water for as short a period as possible.

NEVER "Impact" mark or "etch" instruments as this may lead to failure of the instrument at a later date.

NEVER Use abrasives on the instruments as this will spoil the surface finish and may later on cause discolouration or rusting.

NEVER Store damp instruments. They must be thoroughly dried first.

1. Check the functioning of the safety valves thoroughly when the autoclave is used for the first time and ensure that none of the parts are broken or damaged in transit.

2. Lift the lid and fill water up to the water level mark.

3. Put articles to be sterilized into the dressing drum (be sure that the holes of the dressing drum are open to allow the steam to enter the dressing drum and reach the articles to be sterilized) and place the drum into the autoclave.

4. Place the lid on the container and tighten the lid by opposite locking nuts.

5. Now close the Air exhaust valve and Vacuum release knob and put the autoclave on the stove / gas. In case of electric model please plug in the connector and put it on AC mains 220 volts.

6. As soon as the pressure gauge shows a pressure of 2lbs, allow the enclosed air to escape by opening the Air exhaust valve.

7. Close the Air exhaust valve as soon as the pressure gauge shows zero pressure and then continue heating and let the pressure increase.

8. As the pressure reaches to about 15 lbs (1.05 kgf per square cm), the main safety valve will automatically come into operation and start blowing off excess steam maintaining pressure of 15 lbs inside the autoclave. In the process the main safety valve may allow little steam between 5 lbs to 10 lbs pressure to go out, but this should not be taken as leakage in safety valve and also not tried to be stopped. The second safety valve is set at about 18 lbs and is an extra safety valve for additional safety in case the main valve does not function.

9. Note the time when main safety valve starts operating and starts releasing excess steam and from that time allow 10 minutes for sterilizing gloves and 20 to 25 minutes for dressings and instruments under the pressure of 15 lbs and then stop heating.

10. Now keep a vessel beneath the Vacuum release valve and then open this valve. This will release all steam and water from the autoclave.

11. Close the Vacuum release valve after the steam has ceased to come out freely and leave the autoclave with all closed valves to cool down for about 10 to 15 minutes, thus creating Vacuum inside, which will extract residual steam in the contents inside. After the autoclave is cool enough open the Air exhaust valve to destroy the Vacuum.

12. Unlock the locking nuts and open the lid. Remove sterilized contents and close the holes of the dressing drum.
    

CAUTIONS

1. Never use any alkaline or chemical solution in the autoclave.

2. Never use hard water or ground water. Always try and use distilled water and if it is not available use ordinary municipal water or soft water.

3. Never put autoclave on stove / gas / electricity without water. Always fill with water up to the water level mark and not less.

4. Change water once a day at least.

5. Clean inside of autoclave with cloth or wash with water after each days work and never leave water in the autoclave when not in use.

6. Do not put loose packages in the chamber. Always use dressing drum.

7. Never try to stop the safety valve from functioning by putting extra weight on it.

8. Handle the apparatus carefully and do not let it fall as it may damage it.

9. In case main safety valve stops functioning send it for repairs or get it changed.
   

1. Check the functioning of the safety valves thoroughly when the autoclave is used for the first time and ensure that none of the parts are broken or damaged in transit.

2. To open the container, firmly hold the lid handle and turn it towards the right, till both the arrow marks on the lid and container co-incide .Now lift and remove the lid with lifting handle.

3. Fill water into the container up to the level of the tripod kept inside.

4. Put articles to be sterilized into the dressing drum (be sure that the holes of the dressing drum are open to allow the steam to enter the dressing drum and reach the articles to be sterilized) and place the drum on the tripod inside the container.

5. Place the lid on the container so that the arrow marks on the lid and the container co-incide, gently press the lid downward with your left hand and rotate towards the left by holding the lid handle with the right hand to close the container. A little more force may be required in the first few uses. Once the gasket settles in the grooves, the function will become smooth.

6. Now put the autoclave on the stove / gas. In case of electric model please plug in the connector and put it on AC mains 220 volts.

7. Remove the safety valve weight, as soon as the steam starts coming out through the safety valve, allow the enclosed air to escape by opening the air exhaust outlet valve for about two minutes.

8. Close the air exhaust outlet valve and put back the safety valve weight over it's coupling.

9. The steam pressure is now being built-up inside the autoclave at a range of 15psi (1.10 kgf/cm2) and 18psi (1.25 kgf/cm2). As the pressure reaches this range, the safety valve will automatically come into operation and start blowing off excess steam maintaining pressure of 15 psi to 18 psi inside the autoclave. In the process the safety valve may allow little steam to go out, but this should not be taken as leakage in safety valve and also not tried to be stopped.

10. Note the time when safety valve starts operating and starts releasing excess steam and from that time allow 10 minutes for sterilizing gloves and 20 to 30 minutes for dressings and instruments and then stop heating.

11. Now keep a vessel beneath the steam/water outlet and then open this valve. This will release all steam and water from the autoclave.

12. Close the steam/water outlet after the steam and water have ceased to come out freely and leave the autoclave with all closed valves to cool down for about 10 to 15 minutes, thus creating Vacuum inside which will extract residual steam in the contents inside. After the autoclave is cool enough open the Air exhaust outlet valve to destroy the Vacuum.

13. Open the lid as per instructions at serial number two above. Remove sterilized contents and close the holes of the dressing drum.

CAUTIONS

1. Autoclave is a steam pressure vessel and must be attended to by a competent person.

2. Remove the gasket when autoclave is not in use.

3. Never use any alkaline or chemical solution in the autoclave.

4. Never use hard water or ground water. Always try and use distilled water and if it is not available use ordinary municipal water or soft water.

5. Never put autoclave on stove / gas / electricity without water. Always fill with water up to the level of tripod and not less.

6. Never try to open the lid when there is pressure in the autoclave.

7. Change water once a day at least.

8. Clean inside of autoclave with cloth or wash with water after each days work and never leave water in the autoclave when not in use.

9. Do not put loose packages in the chamber. Always use dressing drum.

10. Never try to stop the safety valve from functioning by putting extra weight on it.

11. Handle the apparatus carefully and do not let it fall as it may damage it.

12. In case safety valve stops functioning send it for repairs or get it changed.