SOP for Operation and Calibration of BOD Incubator

OBJECTIVE

To lay down the procedure for the cleaning, operation and calibration of the BOD incubator.

SCOPE

This procedure is applicable to the BOD incubator that is installed in a microbiological lab at Pharmainfo Ltd.

BOD incubator helps in cultivating fungi & yeast at 20-25°C under aeration.

INSTRUMENT DETAIL

Instrument Name	Instrument ID	Make	Range	Location
BOD Incubator with Microprocessor-Based 282 Liter		Plano lab	0 to 70˚C

RESPONSIBILITY

All Microbiologists and the Section In-Charge.

PROCEDURE

Operation

• Keep the instrument in a room with having constant temperature & away from any heating device.
• Place the shelves in their proper positions provided inside the chamber before loading the materials. Load the shelves evenly.
• The instrument is also provided with a compressor, hence temperatures below ambient can also be obtained.
• Put the plug in the mains supply socket and switch it on.
• Switch ON the Main Switch of the BOD Incubator, the digital red will glow.
• Set the temperature to 22.5°C by using the “up” & “down” arrow mark buttons. Keep the  “up” & “down” arrow mark button pressed while adjusting the temperature.
• After about 1 hour, note down the temperature from the thermometer kept inside the incubator. Also, monitor the temperature from a digital display.
• Allow the Incubator to stabilize for about 2 hours. Check the desired temperature during this Period of 2 hours.
• The digital display will show the desired temperature. Incubate the desired material for the period required as per the test Conditions.
• The sample, after incubating for a specified time & at a specified temperature, is removed carefully.
• Record the temperature of the instrument twice in a day between 9.00AM  to 5.00 PM.

ALSO READ: Microbial Limit Test Validation Protocol

Calibration

• The temperature indicator of the instrument is calibrated by an Outside agency.
• Internal calibration: Comparison of calibrated digital temperature scanner.
• Adjust the temperature of the BOD incubator by the above procedure.
• Keep the sensor of the calibrated digital scanner in the BOD incubator and allow the temperature to stabilize for 10 minutes.
• Note down the temperature and compare the temperatures displayed by the instruments and by the scanner.
• Repeat the same procedure at least 3 to 5 different locations ofthe  BOD incubator.
• Record the calibration result.
• Tolerance ± 1.0º C

FREQUENCY

Yearly, for an outside calibration of the  digital controller

Quarterly for a comparison with a calibrated digital temperature scanner

GENERAL CARE AND PRECAUTIONS

• Clean the incubator with 70% IPA once in a week by using a clean cloth.
• Do not keep the door of the instrument open for a long period of time.
• Doors (inner & outer) of the instrument are closed properly
• Maintenance / Repair: If the instrument does not provide a required temperature or its response is poor, then it should be labeled faulty and should be repaired or serviced.

ANNEXURES

Operation Record of BOD

Calibration Record of BOD

ABBREVIATIONS

SOP: Standard Operating Procedure.

UAL: Uniglobe Analytica Laboratories

EQ: Equipment

MIC: Microbiology Lab

°C: Degree Centigrade

REVISION HISTORY

Nil

ALSO READ: SOP for Operation & Cleaning of Universal Incubator UN-260