Bactron User Group > FAQ Section  »   Should I clean my new Bactron Chamber before using it?

The Bactron unit was cleaned at the factory, however, a general cleaning
is recommended. Use BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE to clean your chamber.  Below is an outline for daily cleaning and then a more thorough cleaning is below.

DAILY CHAMBER DECONTAMINATION:

Zephiran (1:750 aqueous solution of Benzalkonium Chloride) is recommended for daily decontamination of the operating Bactron Chamber.  Before exiting the chamber, wipe the work area chamber floor with a paper towel or cleaning cloth dampened with Zephiran.  Read and follow all directions for use provided by the manufacturer IFU for Zephiran.

PERIODIC CHAMBER DECONTAMINATION:

IMPORTANT: The decontamination protocol described below should be employed when the above-described, Daily Decontamination Process is not sufficient to eliminate contaminant organism(s) (spores, etc.).  This more intense decontamination process should be performed only when the Bactron Chamber is not in operation, power turned off, gas regulators closed and with arm port doors removed and inner/outer Air Lock Pass Doors open.

-Prepare a diluted bleach solution at neutral pH for decontamination purposes (spore forming microorganisms) using an EPA-registered sodium hypochlorite product, dilute as follows:

1 part bleach.
8.4 parts water.
0.6 parts 5% white vinegar or 5% lab grade acetic acid.

-Turn off the power and close gas regulators for the Bactron Chamber.

-Remove the Arm Port Doors and open the inner and outer Air Lock Pass Doors and Incubator Doors.

-Remove all culture plates, reagents and items from the Bactron Chamber.

-Wearing protective gloves, and using a soft cotton towel soaked with the above referenced bleach solution, thoroughly wipe and wet all no porous surfaces of the, chamber floor, rear/side walls and incubator floor, walls and door. 

-Wipe and wet all surfaces and edges of the Air Lock inner door, outer door, walls, floor and ceiling with the bleach solution.

-Remove cuffs from the Sleeve Assembly and discard the cuffs.  Wipe and wet sleeves (inner/outer surface) with the bleach solution.

-Remove gaskets from the inner and outer Air Lock Pass Doors Wipe and wet Air Lock Inner/Outer door gaskets.

-Keep all the above, non-porous surfaces, door gaskets and sleeve assemblies wet with the bleach solution for at least sixty minutes to ensure maximum efficacy for spore kill.  If necessary reapply bleach solution to maintain wet coating during this period.

-Using a clean, cotton cloth towel soaked with water, thoroughly wipe down all surfaces previously disinfected with the bleach solution and then wipe dry with a clean dry cotton towel.  Repeat this step two additional times.

-Using a cotton cloth, wipe all the disinfected surfaces with Zephiran.

-Permit the chamber to stand with Air Lock and Arm Port Doors open for at least twelve hours.

-If after this period of aeration, any trace odor of bleach is detected, repeat steps 8 through 10.