Specifications for laboratory autoclaves The Public Health Laboratory Service Subcommittee* on Laboratory Autoclaves-f

Summary: As a survey of autoclaving practice in microbiology laboratories had previously shown autoclaving performance to be unsatisfactory, specifications have been drawn up that are intended to improve safety and efficiency in autoclave processing. Recommended specifications are defined for new horizontal autoclaves intended either for the sterilization of discard loads alone or for the dual purpose of sterilizing discard material and for the preparation and sterilization of microbiological media. The snecifications are considered suitable for laboratories which handle Category B and C pathogens but are not regarded as appropriate for high security laboratories handling Category A pathogens. Experimental data are presented to support the recommendations made.