Cantium Scientific MicroBio MB1 User manual

MicroBio MB1 Bioaerosol Sampler Operating Manual

MicroBio MB1
Bioaerosol Sampler
Operating Manual
"
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Cantium Scientific Limited!
Clarendon Gardens!
Dartford!
Kent!
DA2 6EY
United Kingdom!
!
Tel: [phone]!
!
www.cantiumscientific.com!
!
October 2016
Printed in England
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Contents!
!
Regulatory Compliance 5...................................................................................
Warranty 7..........................................................................................................
MicroBio MB1 Technical Specification 8.............................................................
Introduction 9......................................................................................................
Installing Battery 10..............................................................................................
Sampling 11..........................................................................................................
Selection of Media 11...........................................................................................
IQ / OQ / PQ 11....................................................................................................
Inserting a Contact Plate or Petri Dish 12............................................................
Switching On and Off 13.......................................................................................
Setting Sample Volume 13...................................................................................
Starting / Stopping Samples 14............................................................................
Delayed Start 14...................................................................................................
Temperature and Humidity 15..............................................................................
Determining Results 15........................................................................................
Change Plate / Dish Type 17................................................................................
Cleaning 18..........................................................................................................
Validation 19.........................................................................................................
Calibration 19.......................................................................................................
Troubleshooting 20...............................................................................................
Technical Support 20............................................................................................
Appendix A - 220 Hole Count Correction Table 21...............................................
Appendix B - 400 Hole Count Correction Table 22...............................................
Appendix C - Culture Media Types 23..................................................................
Appendix D - Replacement Parts 24....................................................................
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Appendix E - Bioaerosols 26................................................................................
What is a bioaerosol? 26......................................................................................
Sources of Bioaerosols 26....................................................................................
Monitoring of Bioaerosols 27................................................................................
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Regulatory Compliance
EC Declaration of Conformity
This is to certify that MicroBio MB1 products manufactured from April 2014
meet the following European Community Directives:
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 89/336/EEC repealed by
2004/108/EC to the following standard:
EN 61326-1 Scientific, Test and Measurement Equipment
Referencing:
!
EN 55011 / CISPR11 Emissions for Industrial, Scientific and
Medical Equipment
EN 61000-4-2 Immunity to Electrostatic Discharge
!
EN 61000-4-3 Radiated Immunity
Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in Electrical
and Electronic Equipment (EEE) Directive (2011/65/EU)
Signed:

S Plumridge CEng MIET MIEEE FRSA!
Managing Director!
Cantium Scientific Limited!
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WEEE and Recycling
Applicable to EC States only.
At the end of this product's useful life, please dispose at an appropriate
recycling collection point provided in your country, or return it to your local
distributor who is obliged to take the product for safe recycling and disposal
under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 2002/96/EC
amended by 2003/108/EC.
Outside of the European Community, consult local regulations or your local
distributor.
The MicroBio MB1 enclosure and fan housing is manufactured from ABS
plastic. The petri dish support plate and fan body are manufactured from
glass reinforced nylon. Electronics need to be recycled by approved
organisations.
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Warranty
The manufacturer warrants this product to be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for 24 months from the date of purchase.#
If your product is found to be defective within that period, please contact
Cantium Scientific Limited or your local distributor who will arrange for repair
of the instrument, or if necessary a replacement.
This warranty does not cover accidental damage, wear and tear,
consequential or incidental loss. The warranty excludes rechargeable cells
supplied with the sampler.
Damage caused by cleaning materials and methods not recommended by
the manufacturer, use beyond the specification, use in wash down areas
(unless used in approved protective bags), or modifications without prior
permission from the manufacturer will invalidate the warranty.
This warranty does not affect your statutory rights.
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MicroBio MB1 Technical Specification!
*Based upon random samples until low battery warning given.#These tests were undertaken on units fitted with
new and fully charged Ansmann Max-e 2500 mA.Hr NiMh cells. Actual battery life may vary due to volume taken
per sample, interval between samples, age of cells, and other environmental effects, such as humidity and
temperature.
‡ Calibrated at 1013mbar 20ºC. Environmental conditions will affect air pressure thus mass/volumetric flow rates.!
Flow Rate:#
100 L.min-1 ‡
Sample Volume:
10 to 2,000 litres in varying steps
Sampling Volume Capacity:
~ 60,000 litres before recharge*
d50 Particle size:
1.7 µm (220 x 1mm hole head)
1.35 µm (400 x 0.7mm hole head)
Mean particle velocity:
9.62 ms-1 (220 x 1mm hole head)
10.7 ms-1 (400 x 0.7mm hole head)
Other Features:
Auto switch off
Delayed start up to 60 minutes
4-digit 7-seg LED display
Sample cancel feature
Padded carry bag supplied
Weight (excluding charger
and carry bag):
650 g (inc. battery and petri dish)
Dimensions:#
196 x 100 x 110 mm (inc. head)
Power:#
4 x AA NiMh Cells!
6V at 250mA (maximum)
Noise Level:##
< 75dB @ 1m
Environmental Operating
Range:
-10 to 50°C up to 90% RH‡
Sampling Plate:
55mm/65mm contact plate or 90mm petri dish
Sampling Head:
316 grade stainless steel 220 x 1mm holes
or Anodised aluminium 400 x 0.7mm holes
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Introduction
!
The MicroBio MB1 is part of the MicroBio range of bioaerosol samplers and
is one of the most economical hand-held samplers in the world for
monitoring airborne micro-organisms or bioaerosols.
The MicroBio range meets the standard required for a reference sampler, as
fully validated by the UK Department of Trade and Industry Validation of
Analytical Methods (VAM) programme.
The sampler collects airborne micro-organisms by drawing a stream of air at
a constant flow rate through a series of small holes in a metal head.
Particles suspended in the air stream impinge onto the surface of a sterile
culture medium in a contact plate or petri dish.
After exposure to a set volume of air, the contact plate or petri dish is
removed and incubated. The number of colonies which develop are
counted, enabling a calculation to be made to determine the concentration of
micro-organisms in the air (CFU / m3- colony forming units per cubic metre).
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Installing Battery
The battery is held in a compartment at the back of the MicroBio MB1. The
unit is supplied with 4 x AA NiMH rechargeable cells. The cells must be
removed for re-charging.
To open the battery compartment press firmly on the “OPEN” marking on the
battery compartment lid near the serial number label and then slide
downwards.
The orientation of the cells is indicated within the battery compartment.
Carefully replace the lid with an upwards sliding motion ensuring the “OPEN”
label on the lid is towards the serial number label.
NOTE:
Please read the instructions supplied with the charger before charging
the NiMh cells. To avoid corrosion, we recommend cells are removed
from the unit if it is to be left unused for extended periods and always
fully charge before use.
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Sampling
The selection of the sample volume is important for reliable sampling. If the
contact plate or petri dish is overloaded with colonies it is difficult to make an
accurate count. With experience, the user will anticipate the probable
bioaerosol concentration in an area, but it may be necessary to make a
preliminary survey at a number of sampling volumes to identify the optimum
setting. Each sample should be repeated several times and a statistical
mean value and confidence value determined.
Selection of Media
The agar media used in the contact plate or petri dish should be chosen to
suit the micro-organisms being monitored. For a wide range of micro-
organisms, consider using tryptone soy agar (TSA), casein soy peptone agar
(CPSA) or nutrient agar (NA). There are other selective agars for more
specific micro-organisms. For fungi (yeasts and moulds), consider using
malt extract agar (MEA) or rose bengal agar (RBA). Appendix C details
various culture media types.!
IQ / OQ / PQ
Documentation templates are available from Cantium Scientific Limited or
your local distributor to support in-house Installation, Operational and
Performance Qualification.
Download templates from: https://www.cantiumscientific.com/support/information/
Customised templates are available upon request.$
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Inserting a Contact Plate or Petri Dish
Carefully remove the sampling head cover from the MicroBio MB1, unless it
is being carried separately in a sterile container. Only hold the edge of the
head. Do not touch the perforated or inside surfaces.
With the sampling head removed, insert a petri dish / contact plate inside the
springs, so that its base sits firmly on the three support posts, then re-fit the
sampling head.
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The standard MicroBio MB1 can use 220 or 400 hole sampling heads. The
220 hole sampling head can be used with both 55mm / 65mm contact plates
or 90mm petri dishes, but only the centre 55mm of the petri dish will collect
samples. Using the 400 x 0.7mm hole sampling head will give nearly full
coverage of a 90mm petri dish, improving reliability of counts.
Switching On and Off
To switch the unit on press any of the four buttons for at least half a second.
If a button is held for too long (greater than 2 seconds), the unit switches off.
This protects the sampler from being inadvertently switched on. The
MicroBio MB1 will display the last volume setting used. The unit will switch
off automatically if not used or after sampling has completed.
When the battery needs re-charging the display will show four dots below the
volume setting. If the battery level is too low, the MicroBio MB1 will not allow
samples to be taken.
Setting Sample Volume
Use the ⊕or ⊖buttons to select the volume of air to be sampled.
Volumes can be set as follows:
•10 to 200 litres in 20 litre steps
•200 to 500 litres in 50 litre steps
•500 to 1000 litres in 100 litre steps
•1000 to 2000 litres in 250 litre steps
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Starting / Stopping Samples
Press the start button to start the sample process.#When running the
display will countdown showing how many litres remain to be sampled. The
MicroBio MB1 will stop sampling when the required volume of air has been
sampled.
Press and hold the stop button at any time to stop sampling.
Delayed Start
Pressing and holding start will invoke the delayed start feature. This will
allow up to 60 minutes of delay, in 1 minute steps, before sampling starts.
Simply use the ⊕or ⊖keys to set the amount of delay required.
When ready, press start to initiate the countdown. The display will then
count down the time before sampling will start. At any time pressing stop
will stop the process.
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Temperature and Humidity
!
It is useful to take a note of these values at the time of each sample.
Temperature and humidity are important factors in the likely concentration
and viability of airborne micro-organisms. For example, some bacteria
survival rates are 35 to 65 times higher at 80%RH compared to 40%RH.
Determining Results
Once the sample has been taken, the contact plate or petri dish should be
removed and sealed with its protective lid. A note should be made on the lid
regarding time, location and volume sampled.
The plate should then be incubated for a period of time and temperature
dependant on the requirements of the media.
Once incubated, the colony growths are then counted, either manually or
using an automatic colony counter. Due to the statistical nature of the
sampling method and the chance more than one colony impinged at one
point on the dish, a count correction needs to be performed.#
The tables in Appendix A and Appendix B gives the corresponding
corrected value for the 220 hole and 400 hole sampling heads respectively.
Alternatively, the following equation can be used to determine a corrected
count.

Where nhis the number of holes on the sampling head, nfis the number of
counted colonies and ncis the corrected count.
nc=nf
1.075
1.052 −nf
nh
⎛
⎝
⎜
⎜
⎜
⎞
⎠
⎟
⎟
⎟
0.483
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If the counted colonies, (nf) exceeds the number of sampling head holes
(nh), then the equation will fail and the results cannot be trusted. If this is the
case, then the sample dish can be considered as overloaded with micro-
organisms and the user should consider lower sampling volumes.
The colony concentration is the corrected count per volume of air sampled.#
The results are normally expressed in colony forming units per cubic metre.
To convert the corrected count to CFU/m3use the equation:!
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!
Where ncis the corrected number of colonies counted and Vsis the sampled
volume in litres.
Spreadsheets to automate the correction process and to collate and present
results are available for free download from:
https://www.cantiumscientific.com/support/information
Alternatively, use our on-line tool to determine corrected counts and CFU by
visiting:
https://www.cantiumscientific.com/membership/count-correction"
CFU
m3=1000. nc
Vs
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Change Plate / Dish Type
The MicroBio MB1 can accommodate both 55mm / 65mm contact plates or
90mm petri dishes. The MicroBio MB1 is factory fitted with the petri dish
springs, but these can be removed and replaced with the supplied contact
plate springs (Cantium Scientific Limited part number P0001M007).
The springs for both types have
slots to allow a degree of
adjustment to suit dish / plate
manufacturer variations.
To change the spring type
remove the three screws and
springs, as highlighted by the
arrows opposite, then refit
using the same screws and the
contact plate springs. Care
must be taken not to over-
tighten or cross-thread any of
the screws.
Replacement screws are available from Cantium Scientific Limited, part
number P0001SCR003, or contact your local distributor.
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Cleaning
The sampling head should be sterilised preferably by autoclave, but in the
field disinfect with suitable sterilising wipes, such as IPA wipes or Tuffie 5
wipes (VernaCare part number 901SW225TY). Wipes may also be used for
general cleaning of the sampler body. In areas of low bioaerosol levels,
observe a disinfection regime between each sample. Always sample from
areas of lower contamination towards those of higher contamination. Wash
exposed skin and clothing before sampling and avoid drinking, eating and
smoking in the test area. All equipment should be handled aseptically.
The MicroBio MB1 is suitable for use with Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour (H2O2
vapour) bio-decontamination. As the MicroBio MB1 has a fan within the
sampling head, it is recommended for optimum decontamination the
MicroBio MB1 is set to sample at maximum volume, allowing H2O2vapour to
be drawn through the head, fan and exhaust.
Tests have been carried out by Bioquell (UK) Ltd on a range of sensitive
electronic equipment to determine effects of such processes. The conditions
of these tests were:
Vapour sterilisation above the test conditions
levels and times will invalidate the warranty.
Throughout the tests, Bioquell demonstrated that bio-decontamination with
H2O2vapour does not appear to be detrimental in any way, affect operational
aspects or aesthetics of sensitive electronic equipment. For further
information on Bioquell H2O2vapour material compatibility, please refer to
Bioquell document BDS-3-MATCOMP-V3.2 (www.bioquell.com).
Gas Concentration
1000 ppm
Conditioning time
20 minutes
Gassing time
30 minutes
Aeration time
150 minutes
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Validation
Some industries require sampling equipment to be validated before being
used. For the MicroBio MB1 this can be achieved using the MicroBio
Validation Kit, part number P0059 available from Cantium Scientific Limited
or your local distributor.
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Calibration
It is recommended the MicroBio MB1 is regularly calibrated in accordance
with specific industry best practice.#Typically, this will be on the anniversary
of the instrument entering service.
The only calibration adjustment on the instrument is the flow rate, by default
set to a volumetric flow rate of 100 litres per minute. Calibration is normally
performed at an air pressure of 1013 mbar at 20ºC. The normalised
conditions the unit is calibrated at are printed on the calibration label on the
rear end of the MicroBio MB1 and on the calibration certificate.
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