Sterilizer Installation Whether you are replacing an existing sterilizer in an old building or installing several sterilizers into a new building, Consolidated has the expertise and know-how to ensure you have the space and utilities available. Depending on the size and configuration of the sterilizer(s) you are ordering, you may need to have different utilities available. For a general installation guideline see below. With every order, we send out information specific to your unit that will serve as a checklist to ensure a smooth installation. Installation Gallery Installation: Consolidated has authorized service groups that cover the United States, parts of Canada and Mexico, and other international areas. Our installers can offer a start to finish (turn-key) installation, or just a start-up and training, for the end-user. When speaking with our sales team, please let them know what your needs are and they will provide an installation package to match. Consolidated offers a choice of installation options to accommodate the facility schedule. In general, Consolidated can arrange for any of the following installation preferences: Level 1: Sterilizer start-up and user training. Level 2: Sterilizer uncrating, setting in place, leveling, final assembly, start-up, and user training. Level 3A: Sterilizer uncrating, setting in place, leveling, final assembly, final utility connections, start-up, and user training. Level 3B: Receiving the shipment, sterilizer uncrating, setting in place, leveling, final assembly, start-up, and user training. Level 4 (Turnkey): Includes receiving the sterilizer, uncrating, setting in place, leveling, final assembly, final utility connections, start-up, and user training. Installation Supervision: Consolidated will supervise on-site installation work performed by facility designated labor. Setting the Unit in Place: Just moving the sterilizer to where it is going to live can be a project within itself! Our staff will guide you through this process and educate you on what to look for. When choosing a location for a sterilizer certain modifications may need to be made to the existing space (i.e. installation of a floor drain, construction of a modular wall, etc). In addition, the sterilizer should be located in a space that allows for service access around the sides and back of 18 to 24”. Don’t have that type of space available? No problem. We are able to customize the configuration of the sterilizer (i.e. mount all of the plumbing on one side) to allow for space restrictions. Utilities: Having the right utilities in place is key to a successful installation. Our sterilizers can be configured in a number of ways to match the utilities available at your site. The main considerations that need to be addressed are water, steam, electrical, and in some cases compressed air. A.) Water Total Hardness 0-17 mg/L (85mg/L Max) Alkalinity 50-180 mg/L (350 mg/L Max) Total Dissolved Solids 0-150 mg/L (250 mg/L Max) pH 7.5-8.5 (7.5-9.0 Max) Total Silica 0.1-1.0 mg/L (2.5mg/L Max) Resistivity 2-6 KΩ/cm (26 KΩ/cm Max) Water is the most consumed utility on a sterilizer. Without it, sterilization would not be possible. On most steam sterilizers, water is required for two purposes: 1) steam generation and 2) effluent cooling. What kind of water does a sterilizer need? Generally speaking, domestic cold water can be supplied to all the water connections so long as it meets our water requirements (see table above). If the domestic cold water quality is outside of our requirements, treated water is the next option. Treated water can be either reverse osmosis (RO) water or softened water. Although RO water is the preferred source for our electric steam generators, softened water is acceptable. If you need to provide clean steam to your chamber, deionized (RO/DI) water is what you will need to supply to the steam generator. In these cases, all the piping on the sterilizer that comes in contact with the process steam will be 316L stainless steel. B.) Steam Connections If your facility has house steam available, it can be used for the autoclave, so long as it is condensate free and 97-100% saturated. The pressure should be between 50-80 PSI dynamic and should have a flow rate of 180#/hr. The line should be insulated and have a facility supplied drip leg with trap that is 18” under steam connection point. C.) Electrical All of our sterilizers require a dedicated 20 amp single outlet for the controls. Additionally, if the sterilizer is configured with its own generator, a three phase power source is needed to power the heaters in the generator. Available voltages are 208, 240, 380, and 480. Additional electrical circuits are needed with some other accessories that can come with your sterilizer, such as pumps for our Liquid Ring Pump and RO System. Drain Connection: What goes in must go out! We typically want to see a 3” floor drain located within 5 linear feet from the sterilizer. The unit must be plumbed with a 2-1/2” air gap between the sterilizer drain port and the facility’s floor drain. Other drain connections are acceptable, but it is best to check with us first. Don’t have a drain nearby? We can provide holding tanks and pumps to overcome this obstacle. How to Validate an Autoclave This comprehensive eBook explains a variety of validation tests you may need to perform in order to properly and effectively validate your autoclave. Get eBook
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