Daily maintenance of the clean bench

The laminar flow hood is an important piece of equipment used in laboratories to provide a sterile operating environment. Its daily maintenance is crucial for ensuring equipment performance, extending service life, and maintaining a sterile state in the experimental environment. The following is the detailed content of the daily maintenance of the clean bench:
I. Preparations and Inspections before daily Use
Visual inspection
Check if there is any dust, stains or debris on the surface of the workbench. Wipe the countertop and the surrounding area with a clean damp cloth in time.
Check whether the equipment casing is damaged or deformed, and whether all components (such as the control panel, switch, air volume adjustment knob, etc.) are working properly.
Power supply and circuit inspection
Make sure the power cord is firmly connected without any risk of damage or leakage. After turning on the power, observe whether the indicator lights on the control panel light up normally and whether the display screen shows accurately (such as wind speed, time, and other parameters).
Filter and airflow inspection
Observe whether there is obvious dust accumulation on the air intake surface of the high-efficiency air filter (HEPA filter). If there is a small amount of dust on the surface, you can first gently vacuum the surface with a vacuum cleaner (avoid direct contact with the filter material).
Turn on the fan and listen for any abnormal noises (such as loud noises or excessive vibration). At the same time, place your hand above the workbench to feel if the airflow is uniform and strong (the normal wind speed is generally between 0.3 and 0.6m/s, which can be measured by an anemometer).
Ii. Precautions during Use
Operating Specifications
Avoid placing too many items on the workbench. Keep the airflow unobstructed. There should be at least a 5cm gap between items, and do not block the air inlet and outlet.
When operating, move gently and minimize violent shaking to avoid interfering with the laminar flow of air and reducing the aseptic effect.
Disinfection and cleaning
Before each use, wipe the workbench surface, inner walls, and edges with 75% ethanol. If necessary, it can be exposed to ultraviolet light for 30 minutes (personnel should leave during exposure to avoid ultraviolet burns).
If any liquid spills during the operation, it should be immediately absorbed with absorbent paper and then wiped with disinfectant to prevent corrosion of the countertop or environmental pollution.
Iii. Cleaning and Maintenance After Use
Surface cleaning
Before turning off the equipment, wipe the countertop and the touched areas again with a disinfectant (such as ethanol or chlorine-containing disinfectant) to remove any remaining experimental contaminants.
Wipe the exterior of the equipment with a clean damp cloth to remove dust and stains and keep the appearance tidy.
Filter maintenance
Regularly check the resistance of the HEPA filter (some devices are equipped with a resistance indicator). When the resistance exceeds 1.5 to 2 times the initial value, it indicates that the filter may be clogged and needs to be replaced in time (it is generally recommended to replace it once a year, but the specific frequency depends on the usage frequency and environment).
If there is obvious damage or air leakage on the surface of the filter, it should be stopped from use immediately and replaced to prevent the spread of contamination.
Maintenance of fans and motors
Check the fan impeller for dust accumulation every month. You can clean it with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner (note to operate when the power is off) to ensure smooth operation of the fan.
If you notice a decrease in the fan's speed or an increase in noise, it might be due to a lack of oil in the motor bearings. You can contact a professional to add lubricating oil or replace the motor.
Control panel and sensors
Wipe the control panel with a dry cloth to prevent liquid from seeping into the buttons or display screen, which may affect the function of the device.
Calibrate the wind speed sensor regularly (it is recommended to do it once every six months) to ensure accurate wind speed display. A professional anemometer can be used for comparative measurement.
Four. Periodic deep maintenance
Quarterly maintenance
Check the sealing performance of the workbench, with a focus on the door gaps, filter frames, and other parts. If there is any air leakage, the sealing strips need to be replaced.
Clean the primary filter (pre-filter). It can be removed and rinsed with clean water or cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. After drying, reinstall it (the primary filter is generally replaced every 3 to 6 months).
Annual maintenance
Please have professional technicians conduct a comprehensive inspection of the equipment, including tests on the circuit system, fan performance, filter efficiency, etc.
Conduct biological safety tests on the workbench (such as settling bacteria tests and floating bacteria tests) to ensure that the sterile environment meets the experimental requirements.
V. Special Circumstances Handling
Emergency response to contamination: If microbial contamination (such as mold or bacterial growth) occurs inside the workbench, it is necessary to thoroughly wipe it with a disinfectant first, then fumigate it with formaldehyde or disinfect it with ozone (follow the equipment manual), and replace the filter if necessary.
Fault Reporting and Repair: When the equipment malfunctions such as the fan not running, abnormal wind speed, or the ultraviolet lamp not lighting up, immediately cut off the power and contact the manufacturer or professional maintenance personnel. Do not disassemble the live parts by yourself.
Vi. Maintenance of Records and Management
Establish a "Super Clean Bench Maintenance Ledger", detailing the time, content, and operator of each cleaning, inspection, and component replacement, to facilitate the traceability of equipment status and the formulation of maintenance plans.
Keep the equipment manual, filter qualification certificate, and other materials for reference to the model and parameters when replacing parts.
Through standardized daily maintenance, the cleanliness and stability of the laminar flow hood can be effectively guaranteed, and the risk of experimental contamination can be reduced. If the equipment is to be out of use for a long time, it should be covered with a dust-proof cloth and run regularly for 30 minutes to prevent the filter from getting damp or the components from aging.