Guidelines (1988) for listing specifications of centrifuges

(1) Introduction (1.1) Centrifuges available for use in the clinical chemistry laboratory vary considerably in their complexity and safety. The Expert Panel considered that guidelines for the preparation of specifications in a standard format should be available to assist with the understanding ofuse of each instrument. The nomenclature used in the guidelines is defined in Appendix A. Quantities and units with regard to the use of centrifuges will be described in a later paper (section (1.2) Manufacturers using the guidelines to describe the specifications of centrifuges should state that they have done so, but if such a statement is made, information on all items listed should be provided unless inapplicable to the instrument being described. (1.3) Manufacturers should provide the information in the order listed here in the interests of uniformity. (1.4) Similar guidelines have been produced for spectrometers [3], chemical analysers [4], flame emission spectrometers [5], atomic absorption spectrometers [6], and are in preparation for nephelometers. (1.5) The present guidelines on laboratory centrifuges are the first of a series dealing with centrifuge safety, including selection of centrifuges, safety instructions for use, and preventative maintenance. (2) General information (2.1) Date of completion of the listing by the manufacturer. (2.2) Name and address of manufacturer and, if applicable , of national agency. (2.3) Name of the centrifuge and model designation. (2.4) Brief history, if considered to be of interest to potential customers.

(1) Introduction   (1.1) Centrifuges available for use in the clinical chem- istry laboratory vary considerably in their complexity and safety.The Expert Panel considered that guidelines for the preparation of specifications in a standard format should be available to assist with the understanding ofuse of each instrument.
The guidelines are based on British Standard 4402: Specification for Safety requirements for laboratory centrifuges 1982 [1] and on Copenhagen County Hospital Service: Recommendation Regarding Laboratory Centrifuges 1979 [2].
The nomenclature used in the guidelines is defined in Appendix A. Quantities and units with regard to the use of centrifuges will be described in a later paper (section (1.2) Manufacturers using the guidelines to describe the specifications of centrifuges should state that they have done so, but if such a statement is made, information on all items listed should be provided unless inapplicable to the instrument being described.
(1.3) Manufacturers should provide the information in the order listed here in the interests of uniformity.
(1.5) The present guidelines on laboratory centrifuges are the first of a series dealing with centrifuge safety, including selection of centrifuges, safety instructions for use, and preventative maintenance.1Expert Panel Members: C. A. Burtis, Chairman (US); P. A. Akinyanyo (NI), T. Sasaki (JP).
(2) General information (2.1) Date of completion of the listing by the manufac- turer.
(2.2) Name and address of manufacturer and, if applic- able, of national agency.
(2.3) Name of the centrifuge and model designation.
(2.4) Brief history, if considered to be of interest to potential customers.
(3.5) Electrical specifications: potential difference (V), electrical current (A) and frequency of alternating current (Hz).State minima and maxima for optimum operation.
(3.6) Power consumption of motor.(3.7)Whether centrifuge chamber can be heated or cooled.
(3.8)For thermostated centrifuge chamber, state adjust- able temperature range, and the allowed variation of temperature within one setting as well as its accuracy.
(3.9) Evacuated centrifuge chamber and display of air pressure.
(3.10) Selector for rotational frequency.(3.11) Timer, programmer, and indicator which shows when the lid may be opened.(3.12) Indicator of actual revolution frequency.(3.13) Indicator of centrifugal acceleration or massic centrifugal force (definitions to be published in list of centrifugal quantities).
(3.14) Indicator of temperature of centrifuge chamber.(3.15) Mechanical safety devices.(3.15.1)Automatic shutdown device for the motor when the access cover is opened.
(3.15.2) Automatic cover lock.(3.15.3)Override release system for maintenance.(3.15.4) Out-of-balance switch.(3.15.5)Single or double speed-limiting devices or equi- valent construction; any speed-limiting device that responds individually and adequately on each type of rotor assembly.
(3.15.6)Documentation of the mechanical safety of the guard barrier, base, top, access, cover with hinges and lock, cabinet and fixings.Name any official standard the centrifuge complies with, (for example [1]).(3.15.7)Sealed centrifuge chamber to prevent fragments from escaping during a breakdown of the rotation assembly.
(3.15.8)Centrifuge mountings to bench or floor.(3.16) Safety features for flammable substances or for biological hazardous materials (rotor assembly is referred to section 3.17.9).(3.16.1)Ignition protected motor and electronics.(3.16.2) Ventilation of the centrifuge chamber, air filters.(3.16.3)Decontamination of centrifuge chamber.(3.17) Rotor assemblies For each type the following information should be provided: (3.17.1)Name and intended use.(3.17.2) Mass and diameter of the complete rotor assembly (buckets in horizontal position).(3.17.3)Number of vials, bags or tubes; the size should be specified.Total volume of material (volumic mass density -< 1"2 kg/1), which may be centrifuged in one run.(3.17.4) Maximum permissible rotational frequency; the corresponding centrifugal acceleration in top and bottom of the vials; bags.ortubes; and the maximal kinetic energy of the fully loaded rotor assembly.
(3.17.5)Time from start until maximal rotational frequency is achieved.
(3.17.7)For an angular rotor, the angle between the vials and the rotation axis.
(3.17.8)Wind-shielded rotor assembly.(3.17.9)Sealed rotation assembly and/or buckets.(3.17.10)Documentation of the mechanical safety of rotor head, buckets and the mounting system for the buckets, for instance by referring to any official standard the evaluation complies with.
(3.17.11)Resistance to acid, alkali, cleaning agents and decontamination by heat.
(3.17.12)Accessories such as trays or racks from other manufacturers that can be used in the rotor assembly.
(4) Other options (5) Documentation available to the user (5.1)Operating manual.(5.2) Maintenance manual including list of spare parts with their catalogue numbers.
(6) Information to be supplied locally and perhaps separately (6.1) Costs.(6.1.1)Purchase price.(6.1.2)Average running power consumption.(6.1.3)Maintenance cost, for instance of annual contract or hourly rates.(6.2) Maintenance, service and parts available and training [7].(6.3) List of spare parts and consumables held locally by manufacturer or agent.(6.4) List of recommended parts and consumables to be held by the user.APPENDIX A

Nomenclature of centrifuges
The parts of centrifuges are named and described according to the alphabetic list below.Most parts are also illustrated in figures and 2. In restricted contexts, the word 'centrifuge' may be omitted as qualification to certain terms.
Angle head (of centrifuge)" a centrifuge head into which tubes or tube holders can be placed at an angle that is maintained during rotation.
Brake" mechanical or electrical device to reduce rotational frequency.
Bucket (of a centrifuge)" specimen holder or a carrier for specimen holder mounted directly to swing-out head.
Centrifuge: a motor-driven machine used in chemistry to separate components, or to alter the local distribution of components of a system by means of centrifugal accelera- tion in rapidly rotating vessels.
(Centrifuge) adaptor: a fitment allowing specimen holders of different sizes to be placed in the rotor assembly.
(Centrifuge) casing: the cabinet of the centrifuge, including top access cover and bottom.Usually the casing includes a guard barrier or may surround a guard barrier.
(Centrifuge) chamber: the space enclosed by the casing of a centrifuge in which the rotor assembly rotates.
(Centrifuge) head (rotor centre piece): the part of the centrifuge that is mounted directly to the rotating axis and rotates.Special types are the angle head (see figure 1) and the swing-out head (see figure 2).For the latter type, the buckets are not part of the head.
Cover lock" safety lock or snap lock.In centrifuges of maximal kinetic energy usually less than kJ, the snap lock switches off the power when it is opened.
Guard barrier: a mechanically reinforced part of the casing or a separate strong shield surrounding the centrifuge chamber.
Insert (to specimen-holder assembly)" special adaptors for different types of tubes, thus a certain specimen-holder assembly can be used for different tubes.
Indicator (on equipment)" a device indicating the value of an operating variable for a piece of equipment, for instance rotational frequency of a centrifuge.
Out-@balance switch" a switch to cut out the motor of a centrifuge that is out of balance.Submit your manuscripts at http://www.hindawi.com