Autoclave Use and Testing Biological Safety Autoclave Use and Testing Rules governing the use and testing of autoclaves are based on Rule 64E-16 of the Florida Administrative Code. Autoclave Testing Autoclaves shall be tested before being placed into service and then periodically for effectiveness. Most spore vial test kits require 56 to 60 C incubation of the autoclaved test vial along with a non-autoclaved control vial.
Incubation causes surviving spores to grow.
Before placing an autoclave into service, a test load approximating the weight and density of the type of waste generated shall be autoclaved with test spore vials. The spore vials should be placed at the bottom, top, front, rear, and center of the autoclave chamber. The appropriate parameters for sterilization including temperature, pressure, and treatment time shall be determined in this way. Autoclaves already in use For periodic testing, place a spore vial in the very center of a test load prior to autoclaving. Storage Information Please read the product information sheet for appropriate storage information, but, in general, spore vials should not be frozen .