SOP for Operation of Vacuum Oven.

1.0    Objective:

         To provide written procedure for the Operation of Vacuum Oven.

2.0          Scope:

               This SOP covers Operation of Vacuum Oven in Quality Control department.

3.0          Responsibility:

               Jr. Research Officer, Research Officer: Responsible for operation and maintenance of the instrument as per procedure.

               Head of Department: Responsible for maintenance, timely as per   schedule.

               QA Officer/QA Manager: Review the records and governing the document 

4.0          Procedure:

4.1          Ensure that the instrument is clean & free from dust.

4.2          Switch ‘ON’ the temperature control knob, and adjust the required temperature by pushing black button and a thermostatically control knob, by rotating it in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

4.3       Release the 3 screw type knobs by rotating, so the glass door of the instrument can be   opened.

4.4        Place the bottle and stopper containing the substance under test, inside the chamber on    a rack.

4.5          Close the door and tighten the 3 knobs sufficiently.

4.6          If require vacuum pressure, connect the vacuum pressure pump to the vacuum nozzle of the instrument provided on the top of the instrument.

4.7    Open the vacuum-releasing knob i.e. on the top of the instrument.

4.8          Now apply vacuum pressure with the help of a vacuum pressure pump.

4.9          Check the pressure gauge of the instrument till the needle at the required vacuum.

4.10       As soon as the required vacuum is approached close the vacuum-releasing knob.

4.11   Allow the substance under test to dry at a specified temperature and specified time as indicated in the monograph or as required.

4.12       Now, slowly release the vacuum through the releasing knob till the needle of the gauge

              declines to zero ( its rest position ).                       

4.13        Open the 3 screw type knobs and unload the chamber.

4.14        Switch off the instrument and keep it under cover when not in use.

5.0          Routine maintenance:

5.1          Ensure that the power supply to the instrument is switched OFF before cleaning.

5.2          Clean the instrument with a clean, dry cloth every day.

5.3          Occasionally wet cloth dipped in diluted soap solution can be used.

5.4   Precaution has to be taken to clean the instrument immediately with dry cloth to  remove the moisture.

6.0          Precautions:

6.1          Do not keep the door of the oven open for a long period when the temperature is ‘ON’.

6.2     Applying and releasing of the vacuum should be done slowly so as to avoid the  substance from propelling out of the bottle.

7.0            Documentation:

7.1       Annexure – 1  -  Vaccum oven usage log book.                    XXX/FRM/000

8.0          History of Revision:

Revision No.	Effective Date	Revision details	Reason for revision

Annexure – 1
Vaccum Oven Usage log book
Date	Name of Sample	A. R. No.	Batch No.	Analysed by	Remarks
SOP No. : XXX/SOP/000-00        Format No. : XXX/FRM/000-00