Protocol for Cleaning and Maintenance of Refrigerated Centrifuge

Periodic maintenance of the refrigerated centrifuge is essential to ensure that the centrifuge is in optimum condition.

 Daily Maintenance:

• For a refrigerated centrifuge that is turned off at the end of the day, open the top to allow the centrifuge chamber to dry (Figure 1).
• During the day, when the unit is under refrigeration, leave the top closed to avoid condensation and ice buildup.
• The centrifuge must not be used if the interior is hot, if unusual vibrations or noises occur, or if deterioration (corrosion of parts) is detected.  A qualified service technician should be contacted.

Figure 1: Refrigerated Centrifuge with Open Top to allow the centrifuge chamber to dry

Weekly Maintenance:  

• Autoclave metal parts OR soak them in a disinfectant (not bleach or alcohol) for 15 minutes, rinse with sterile water and air dry.
• Soak lids in freshly prepared 1% bleach for 5 minutes and rinse with 70% alcohol or sterile water.
• Checking the rotors and rotor bores visually for residue and corrosion (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Lids and Rotor Bores

Monthly Maintenance:  

• Clean the centrifuge housing, rotor chamber, rotors and rotor accessories with a neutral cleaning agent, e.g., mild soap.
• Lubricate rotor threads with lubricant.
• Lubricate O-rings with lubricant supplied by the manufacturer.
• Clean plastic and non-metal parts with a fresh solution of 1% sodium hypochlorite (bleach), followed rinsing with sterile water.

Note: Each laboratory should maintain centrifuge usage record in a log book (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Centrifuge Usage Log Book

Annual Maintenance:

Full service should be provided by a qualified service technician, which may include the servicing of the following: 

• Centrifuge brushes
• Timer
• Electrical components
• Leaks
• Speed

Good practices for centrifuge usage:

• Always carefully read the operating manual before the initial operation of the centrifuge.
• Run the centrifuge with samples that are symmetrically loaded in the aerosol tightened buckets and open the buckets in the Bio Safety Cabinet (BSC) after centrifugation is done.
• Routinely check the silicon O-ring for any wear & tear of the aerosol lid.
• Always use centrifuge tubes that will withstand the required centrifugation speed. 
• Perform maintenance activity as required.

Practices to be avoided when using the centrifuge are:

• Moving or knocking during operation
• Running the unit when there is heavy noise from the machine
• Running with unbalanced sample load
• Running if there is any wear & tear with the O-ring of the aerosol lid
• Adding water to a specimen to balance tubes
• Stopping the running cycle 

Resources

• World Health Organization Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 3rd edition, p72-73.
• Global Laboratory Initiative Training Package on LC.

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