Cantium Scientific MicroBio MB2 User manual

MicroBio MB2, MB2-HiFlow and MB2-RSH!
Bioaerosol Sampler Operating Manual

MicroBio MB2
Bioaerosol Sampler
Operating Manual
Applicable to MB2 standard, HiFlow and RSH models
!
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution, Non-Commercial, ShareAlike 4.0
International License.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Qualisair™ is a registered trademark of Cantium Scientific Limited
Cantium Scientific Limited!
Clarendon Gardens!
Dartford!
Kent!
DA2 6EY
United Kingdom!
!
Tel: [phone]!
!
www.cantiumscientific.com!
!
October 2019!
Issue 5
Printed in England
1

Contents!
!
Regulatory Compliance 4......................................................................
Warranty 6.............................................................................................
MicroBio MB2 Technical Specification 7...............................................
MicroBio MB2-HiFlow Technical Specification 8...................................
MicroBio MB2-RSH Technical Specification 9.......................................
Introduction 10........................................................................................
Installing Battery 11.................................................................................
Battery Management 12.................................................................................
Sampling 13............................................................................................
Selection of Media 13..............................................................................
IQ / OQ / PQ 13.......................................................................................
Inserting a Contact Plate or Petri Dish 14...............................................
Switching On and Off 15.........................................................................
Take a Sample 16...................................................................................
Delayed Sample 18.................................................................................
Sequential Sampling 19..........................................................................
Sequential Sampling – How it works 19.........................................................
Sequential Sampling - Configuration 20.........................................................
User Presets 23......................................................................................
Unit Status 24..........................................................................................
Battery Level 24.............................................................................................
Power Diagnostics 24....................................................................................
Total Volume Count 25...................................................................................
Total Samples Taken 25.................................................................................
2

Unit Version 25...............................................................................................
Restore Factory Defaults 26..........................................................................
Settings 26..............................................................................................
Settings - Language 26..................................................................................
Settings - Battery Type 27..............................................................................
Settings - Automatic Power Off 28.................................................................
Tripod Mounting 29.................................................................................
Temperature and Humidity 29.................................................................
Determining Results 29...........................................................................
Change Plate / Dish Type 31..................................................................
Cleaning 32.............................................................................................
Validation 33............................................................................................
Calibration 33..........................................................................................
Troubleshooting and Technical Support 34.............................................
Appendix A - 220 Hole Count Correction Table 35..................................
Appendix B - 400 Hole Count Correction Table 36.................................
Appendix C - Culture Media Types 37....................................................
Appendix D - Replacement Parts 38.......................................................
Appendix E - Bioaerosols 39...................................................................
What is a bioaerosol? 39................................................................................
Sources of Bioaerosols 39.............................................................................
Monitoring of Bioaerosols 40..........................................................................
Appendix F - MB2-RSH Installation 41...................................................
Fitting the Connector for Unterminated Cables 42.........................................
Connecting the Control Unit and remote Sampling Head 45.........................
3

Regulatory Compliance
EC Declaration of Conformity
This is to certify that MicroBio MB2 products manufactured from April 2017
comply with the essential requirements of the following European
Community Directives when used according to their intended purpose:
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU
BS EN 61326-1:2013 Scientific, Test and Measurement
Equipment
Referencing:
BS EN 55011/CISPR11 Emissions for Industrial, Scientific and
Medical Equipment
BS EN 61000-4-2 Immunity to Electrostatic Discharge
BS 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)
BS EN 50581:2012
Signed:
S Plumridge CEng MIET FRSA!
Director, Cantium Scientific Limited!
4

WEEE and Recycling
At the end of this product's life, please recycle responsibly.
Within the EU, take to an approved recycling centre, local authority collection
point, or return to your local distributor who is obliged to take the product for
safe recycling and disposal under the Waste Electrical and Electronic
Equipment Directive 2012/19/EU.
Outside of the European Union, consult local regulations or your local
distributor.
The MicroBio MB2 key parts are manufactured from the following:
* These items must be taken to approved recycling centres equipped to
handle such waste and recover the metals used in their manufacture. Some
elements of these parts cannot be recycled.
Enclosure
Material
Recyclable
Blower housing
Aluminium
Yes
Air blower
Glass reinforced nylon
Yes (limited facilities)
Enclosure
ABS Plastic
Yes
Display window
Polycarbonate
Yes
Tripod mount
Aluminium
Yes
Circuit board *
Various
Partially
Sampling heads
Stainless steel or aluminium
Yes
Carry case
ABS Plastic
Yes
Packaging
Cardboard and PET
Yes
Documentation
Paper
Yes
Batteries *
NiMH
Partially
5

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.
6

MicroBio MB2 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 10,000 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)
Weight (excluding charger
and carry bag):
780 g (inc. battery and petri dish)
Dimensions:"
196 x 100 x 110mm (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
7

MicroBio MB2-HiFlow 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:"
180 L.min-1 ‡
Sample Volume:
10 to 10,000 litres in varying steps
Sampling Volume Capacity:
~ 40,000 litres before recharge*
d50 Particle size:
1.71 µm
Mean particle velocity:
9.55 ms-1
Weight (excluding charger
and carry bag):
840g (inc. battery and petri dish)
Dimensions:"
196 x 100 x 110mm (inc. head)
Power:"
4 x AA NiMh Cells!
6V at 600mA (maximum)
Noise Level:""
< 80dB @ 1m
Environmental Operating
Range:
-10 to 50°C up to 90% RH‡
Sampling Plate:
90mm petri dish
Sampling Head:
Stainless Steel 400 x 1.0mm holes
8

MicroBio MB2-RSH 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 10,000 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)
Weight (excluding charger
and carry bag):
1680 g (inc. controller, head unit, battery,
cable, petri dish)
Dimensions:"
196 x 100 x 40mm (control unit)
140 x 100 x 100mm (head unit)
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
9

Introduction
!
The MicroBio MB2 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. It is available with a
standard flow rate of 100 litres per minute or the HiFlow model with a flow
rate of 180 litres per minute.
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).
10

Installing Battery
The battery is held in a compartment at the back of the MicroBio MB2. 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” marking 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 fully
charged before use.
11

Battery Management
The air blower in the MicroBio MB2 requires the use of cells that are capable
of high current drain. Low cost alkaline or budget rechargeable cells are
often not capable of delivering the required power while maintaining their
terminal voltage and the sampler may stop operating without warning.
We recommend using the NiMH cells supplied with the sampler kits, or
equivalent high quality cells with suitably low impedance. Alternatively, non-
rechargeable alkaline cells may be used, but must be high quality, such as
Duracell, Energizer or Varta industrial range. If using alkaline cells, the
battery type needs to be manually set. Please see the ‘Settings’ section of
this manual for instructions.
As cells age through time and use, their internal electrical resistance
(impedance) increases. This will reduce the amount of time the sampler can
be used on a single charge. Old cells may, at random, when under load drop
their terminal voltage too low and the sampler will switch off. If this happens,
the cells must be replaced. If this occurs during sampling, the sample must
be discarded and a new one taken.
All cells at the end of their life should be recycled or disposed of responsibly
in accordance with local regulations.
12

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.
13

Inserting a Contact Plate or Petri Dish
Carefully remove the sampling head cover from
the MicroBio MB2, 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 support plate, then re-fit
the sampling head.
The standard MicroBio MB2 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.
The MicroBio MB2-HiFlow model can only use
90mm Petri dishes and the 400 x 1mm hole
sampling head.
ALWAYS STERILISE THE SAMPLING HEAD !
PRIOR TO EACH USE#
14

Switching On and Off
To switch the unit on press the ON/OFF button.
The MicroBio MB2 will initially indicate the
battery condition:
If the battery is too low, the MicroBio MB2 will
issue a warning to change the battery and then
automatically switch off. This is to protect the
battery pack and not allow samples to be taken
that may not complete.
To switch off the MicroBio MB2, press the ON/OFF button. The MicroBio
MB2 will automatically switch off after a period of inactivity. Automatic and
manual switch off is prevented during sampling, delayed start and sequential
sampling. When switching off, a warning will sound and the display will show
“switching off” while the MicroBio MB2 saves usage data to memory.
MicroBio MB2
Battery: OK
LOW BATTERY!
CHANGE BATTERY
Switching off
15

Take a Sample
When switched on the unit immediately enters Take Sample mode. This
mode can also be selected by pressing MENU to show the following screen,
then pressing START.
Select the volume to be sampled by choosing a preset or manually adjust
volume. Press ⊖button to select preset option or ⊕to select manual
adjustment. Press START to confirm selection.
If Preset Volume is selected, use ⊕or ⊖to select one of nine preset
volumes, then press START to begin sampling.
Ta k e S a m p l e
Sample Method -
Preset Volume
Sample Method -
Adjust Volume
Select Preset
[1] 100L
16

If Adjust Volume is selected, use ⊕or ⊖to set the required volume from 10
to 10000 litres. Press START to begin sampling.
During sampling the display will show the sampled volume taken and the
time remaining before sampling is complete.
At the end of sampling, the screen will display the total volume sampled and
sound a warning tone and flash the top-mounted LED. To clear the warning,
press any key. If left, the unit will automatically switch off after 20 seconds.
To cancel sampling at any time press and hold
the MENU button. The unit will sound a short
warning tone and display the volume sampled up
to that point.
Air Volume +/-
100L
Sampled: 10L
Time: 00:00:53
Finished
Sampled: 100L
17

Delayed Sample
The Delayed Sample feature allows the user to set the MicroBio MB2 to start
sampling after a given time between 1 minute and 3 hours. Select this option
by pressing MENU, then pressing START.
The delay time is adjusted using ⊕or ⊖. When set, press START.
The sample volume is set as described in Take Sample. Pressing START will
start the delay timer and the screen will show the countdown. During
countdown the screen backlight will switch off to conserve battery power.
When the countdown reaches zero, sampling will start. The screen will
display the volume sampled and remaining time. When finished, press any
button or leave the MicroBio MB2 to automatically switch off.!
Delayed Sample
Set Delay
00:01:00
Delayed Start:
02:01:43
Sampled: 10L
Time: 00:00:53
18

Sequential Sampling
The Sequential Sampling feature allows sampling onto a single plate over an
extended period of time. This is achieved by taking a sequence of smaller
volumes over a defined amount of time.
This is useful"in clean room environments where contamination levels are
normally low, resulting in low counts. Monitoring for short periods could"risk
missing potential hazards that may occur during the"day. The MicroBio MB2
can now be set up and left to work autonomously, sequential sampling up to
10,000 litres over a 24 hour period.
Sequential Sampling – How it works
A"cubic meter of air would normally be sampled in"10 minutes using a
standard MicroBio MB2. Sequential sampling allows the user"to"configure
the total volume to be sampled, by using an adjustable volume or one of the
user preset"volumes, over 5 minutes to 24 hours with"optional delayed start if
required.
To illustrate how sequential sampling works, consider a 1,000 litre
sample"taken over an 8 hour period (tp), broken into five separate samples
(n). These numbers are entered into the MicroBio MB2 following a simple set
of questions. The MicroBio MB2 then calculates how much air needs
sampling per sequence (ts"being the time to take each sample) and the time
between the samples (ti), calculated using"the equation below:
19