After material comes out of the autoclave, it's held in quarantine for 7 days, then tested to make sure it's sterile. Autoclaves undergo scheduled preventive maintenance and are certified annually by the Safety Office. Airlocks An airlock is a transition space between two areas. Items can be decontaminated by gas or disinfectant in airlock areas. An inflatable gasket around the door ensures that no air can leak out.
Airlocks receive preventive maintenance annually.
Airlocks can also be used to decontaminate by fumigation with paraformaldehyde. Items are placed in the airlock, and the paraformaldehyde is vaporized at approximately 425 degrees and held for 16 hours. Decontaminated materials are then placed in quarantine for 7 days and tested to ensure the success of the decontamination process. Formaldehyde also can be used to decontaminate delicate electronic scientific equipment.