What is laminar air flow system?

What is laminar air flow system?

A laminar flow cabinet or laminar flow closet or tissue culture hood is a carefully enclosed bench designed to prevent contamination of semiconductor wafers, biological samples, or any particle sensitive materials. Air is drawn through a HEPA filter and blown in a very smooth, laminar flow towards the user.

What is a biological safety cabinet?

A biosafety cabinet (BSC) — also called a biological safety cabinet or microbiological safety cabinet — is an enclosed, ventilated laboratory workspace for safely working with materials contaminated with (or potentially contaminated with) pathogens requiring a defined biosafety level.

What is the biosafety?

Biosafety is the prevention of large-scale loss of biological integrity, focusing both on ecology and human health. These prevention mechanisms include conduction of regular reviews of the biosafety in laboratory settings, as well as strict guidelines to follow. Biosafety is used to protect us from harmful incidents.

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SOP for Laminar Air Flow Unit

1.0  OBJECTIVE:

       To lay down a Procedure is to provide guidelines for operation of Laminar Air Flow.

2.0  SCOPE:

       This procedure is applicable for LAF which is installed in Microbiology laboratory of QC Department

3.0  RESPONSIBILITY:

       Microbiologist

4.0  ACCOUNTABILITY:

       HEAD QA & QC

5.0  PROCEDURE:

5.1  Operation & Cleaning of LAF

5.1.1  Switch “OFF” the UV light.

5.1.2  Clean the equipment with clean lint free cloth duster and spray 70% IPA solution to LAF unit and entire Area of LAF room.

5.1.3  Switch “ON” the “AIR” and Visible Light switch situated on the control panel on right hand side of the instrument.

5.1.4  Now check the LAF Manometer pressure, it should be within 10 – 20 mm of Water Gauge.

5.1.5  Check the log record for burning hour of UV light, it should not exceed more than 2000 hours. UV tube should be replaced after specified burning period.

5.1.6  Start the gas burner with the help of gas lighter and carry out the routine works.

5.1.7  After completion of work, switch OFF the Airflow and gas burner.

5.1.8  Clean any remaining water or waste liquid material spilled on the laminar airflow platform properly with a dry cloth.

5.1.9  Clean properly the working chamber from ceiling, followed by side glass and then the platform of the chamber with sterile 70% IPA.

5.1.10  Spray sterile 70% IPA and switch OFF the Visible light and then Switch ON the UV light till to start the next operation.

5.1.11  If the LAF is used for Aseptic filtration, clean the receiver pipe tank with hot WFI.

5.1.12  Open the outlet of Solution Collection Tank and collect the solution in plastic crate. Close the valve and transfer the crate for solution disposal.

5.2  Cleaning of Pre filters

5.2.1  Ensure that the LAF is switch off. Affix the tag on Instrument “UNDER MAINTENANCE”.

5.2.2  Pre filter is situated on the backside of the LAF, unscrew and then remove the pre filter from LAF.

5.2.3  Transfer the pre filter to washing area and blow the compressed air from reverse side to blow out all the dust particles.

5.2.4  Wash the pre filter with DM water and then with liquid detergent solution. Finally wash again with DM water to remove the detergent solution.

5.2.5  Remove the trapped water from the pre filter by jerking and finally rinse with 70% IPA solution.

5.2.6  Allow to dry the pre filter at room temperature.

5.2.7  Assemble the pre-filter at their original place and tighten the screw properly.

5.3  Precautions

5.3.1  Take care to prevent any damage to the integrity of filter during cleaning. In case of observation of any damage to filters, immediately inform to your superior for further action.

5.3.2  Instrument should be cleaned when the electrical connections of the equipment is in OFF position.

5.3.3  Clean the laminar airflow chamber after every operation.

5.3.4  Do not work when UV light is ON as it may cause eye damage.

5.3.5  Maintain the level of the platform by adjusting the equipment from the base with the help of glass beads in such a manner that the platform level should remain horizontally flat. There should be no ups and downs in any portion of the chamber.

5.4  Frequencies

5.4.1  Daily for operation

5.4.2  Fortnightly for Pre filter cleaning

5.4.3  Calibration: Yearly by External agency

6.0  ABBREVIATIONS:

SOP : Standard Operating Procedure

QA : Quality Assurance

QC : Quality Control

NA : Not Applicable

LAF : Laminar Air Flow

IPA : Isopropyl Alcohol

DM : Dematerialized