BS 2646-3:1993

Use of autoclaves other than of material contaminated with Hazard Group 4 organisms.

This Part of BS2646 gives guidance on the factors that should be taken into account when devising procedures to ensure the safe and effective use of laboratory autoclaves of the types specified in BS2646-1, i.e. autoclaves for the sterilization of material and equipment including those which may be contaminated with organisms categorized as Hazard Groups 1, 2 or 3 (see note). It does not cover the use of autoclaves for material contaminated with organisms categorized as Hazard Group 4, for which complete containment of condensate is considered to be essential.

The procedures described are designed to minimize hazards to operators and other personnel, and to confirm the ability of the autoclave to carry out effectively each of the processes defined in BS2646-1.

NOTE The groups of organisms referred to are those listed in Categorization of pathogens according to hazard and categories of containment, 2nd edition 1990 [2], produced by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and published by HMSO.