Connecticut Administrative Code › Title 21a - Consumer Protection › 235 - Bedding and Upholstered Furniture › Section 21a-235-18 - Sterilization processes

Current through July 10, 2024
"Sterilization," in reference to chapter 420a of the general
				statutes, means the destruction of all bacilli and spores of bacilli as well as
				insects and insect eggs (nits). Only those processes and agencies which destroy
				all disease germs, insects and insect eggs shall be accepted as effective
				sterilization processes or agencies under the law. There are five effective
				sterilization processes recognized:
(1) Live steam under pressure;
(2) live steam streaming from a boiler
			 carrying not less than fifteen pounds pressure;
(3) boiling water;
(4) hot air, and
(5) caustic solution of standard strength for
			 sterilizing metal articles and parts. The types of apparatus and processes
			 described below are accepted sterilizers and, when shown to be effective, shall
			 be approved by the commissioner.
(a)
Steam pressure.
The most efficient process of sterilization is the
			 steam pressure process when properly applied. Live steam, applied in a steam
			 tight chamber from which the air has been expelled so as to penetrate to all
			 parts of any article or material treated, and maintained at a pressure of at
			 least fifteen pounds per square inch and a temperature of at least 250°F.
			 at the point of lowest temperature for a period of not less than thirty minutes
			 is an effective sterilizer. If the pressure is maintained at twenty pounds per
			 square inch, the time of treatment may be reduced to twenty minutes. The
			 articles or materials treated shall be placed on racks so as to allow free
			 access of steam to all surfaces and parts. Materials treated shall not be
			 compacted or compressed to a density greater than that of ordinary cotton felt
			 used for filling material. The sterilizing chamber shall be strong enough to
			 withstand the pressure indicated and shall be equipped with a standard steam
			 gauge plainly visible at all times from the working floor. Temperature control
			 shall be maintained by means of a recording temperature gauge. A Diac
			 sterilizer control or equally effective control may be used until a recording
			 temperature gauge can be installed.
(b)
Streaming steam.
A stream of
			 live steam applied to articles or materials in the condition described above is
			 acceptable as a sterilizing process, provided the steam shall have a
			 temperature of at least 212°F. and shall be applied for a period of not
			 less than three hours. Streaming steam may be used in two applications of one
			 and one-half hours each with an interval of six hours but not more than
			 twenty-four hours between each application. The steam chamber shall be steam
			 tight with outlet valves at top and bottom which shall be kept open to prevent
			 pressure in the chamber. Condensed steam shall be drawn off.
(c)
Boiling water.
Boiling water
			 is acceptable as a sterilizing process if uncompacted materials are immersed in
			 it for a period of not less than two hours.
(d)
Hot air.
Hot air may be
			 accepted as a sterilizer under proper conditions although it is not as
			 effective as steam or boiling water. A hot air sterilizing process to be
			 approved by the commissioner shall safely produce a temperature of 250°F.
			 at the point of lowest temperature in the chamber. Temperature shall be
			 automatically controlled and shall be maintained for a period of at least two
			 and one-half hours. Temperature shall be generated by means of properly guarded
			 electric heating units or by steam pipes carrying live steam. An indirect gas
			 heating system may be used if the material cannot be ignited by the gas flame.
			 Hot air may be used for sterilizing material which is not compressed to a
			 degree in excess of the customary compression of cotton felt. Articles shall be
			 so spaced as to allow free circulation of hot air.
(e)
Caustic soda.
For
			 sterilizing second-hand metal used in springs, cribs, cots, etc., the
			 commissioner will approve a caustic solution of one-half pound of caustic soda
			 (76% sodium hydroxide) to each gallon of water. The solution shall be used in a
			 tank impervious to the action of the solution and of sufficient size to permit
			 the complete submersion of material. Metal shall remain in a cold solution for
			 a period of at least twenty-four hours but, if the solution is kept at the
			 boiling point, this period may be reduced to three hours. In using such caustic
			 process, all plugs and obstructions shall be removed so as to permit free
			 passage of the solution to the inside of all tubing and to all other parts.
			 After sterilization all metal articles shall be thoroughly washed with clean
			 water until all of the caustic solution is removed.
(f)
Chemical sterilization.
An
			 approved chemical germicide may be used under proper conditions.