Autoclave usage and locations

The FBRI maintains autoclaves on all floors of building 2 Riverside Circle and on the first and second floors of 4 Riverside Circle. They are available for individual use after completing the required training, which includes the EHS Safe Autoclave Use and Training module, as well as additional onsite training. To take the EHS autoclave training, “start a conversation” in the FBRI Help Center (help.vtc.vt.edu) and include the following information:

- subject: EHS autoclave training

- I need help from: EHS and facilities

- Include laboratory name in message details.

After completing the EHS training, coordinate with Destiny Duncan (dsduncan@vtc.vt.edu) for onsite training prior to autoclave use.

Autoclave waste and items needing sterilized can also be left for laboratory support to process. These items can be taken to autoclave rooms in Riverside 2, R1091, R2096, or R3016, or any of the autoclave rooms in Riverside 4. Please follow the protocol below for each request. Turn-around time for this service is usually 24-48 hours.

Autoclave Waste 

   Autoclave waste can be placed in trays below the signs that designate ‘Waste to be Autoclaved’. We can process liquid biological waste, solid biological waste and sharps. Please refer to the article pertaining to biological waste for proper preparation of waste for decontamination. Always write the laboratory name on each waste container. Sharpies are kept in each room.

Sterilization   

 Items needing to be sterilized can be left on the shelves that are designated for ‘dirty glassware and non-waste items for autoclave’. These can be pre-cleaned items or items that are washed by laboratory support. Each item will be wrapped or foiled covered and taped with heat tape for easy identification. Please leave a note with each tray of items with lab name and any specific instructions. Once the items have been sterilized, they will be placed on the ‘clean and sterilized items’ shelf for pickup. Autoclavable trays are kept in the autoclave rooms. These are to stay in these rooms to assure they are available when items need to be autoclaved. If you would like to have some of these trays for your use in the laboratory, they must be purchased by individual labs.

Autoclave locations:

2 Riverside Circle

1^st floor 

Room R1016

Room R1091

2^nd floor

Room R2016 (for non-waste sterilization only)

Room R2096

3^rd floor

Room R3016

 

4 Riverside Circle 

1^st floor

Room R1302

Room R1402

2^nd floor 

Room R2302

Room R2402

 

Useful reference documents pertaining to autoclave procedures are available below: