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Anesthesia Machine and Vaporizer Preventive Maintenance: Addendum to the IACUC/LARC Guidelines for Anesthetizing Animals for Research Purposes (May 2007)

Anesthesia Machine Preventative Maintenance:

To prevent staff exposure to isoflurane it is required that annual preventative maintenance of your anesthesia machine is performed and documented. The IACUC strongly recommends that this be done by a qualified vendor (see contact information below).

This should include:

• Examination and documentation of gas connections and cylinder yoke assemblies;
• Confirmation of flow accuracy of flow meters;
• Physical inspection of O2 flush valve;
• Physical inspection and cleaning of tubing, connections, fittings, with replacement as necessary;
• Physical examination of your vaporizer.

Carbon Filter Maintenance:

To be effective it is required that all activated carbon filter canisters be weighed.

• Baseline weight must be recorded directly on the canister.
• Canisters must be weighed regularly to assure they have not reached full saturation – this includes recording the increase on the side each time a canister is weighed. IACUC office can provide stickers for documentation. Contact 476-2197.
• Once the canisters have reached full saturation, (as indicated by the weight increase specified by the manufacturer), they need to be replaced.
• Saturated canisters are considered hazardous chemical waste. Contact OEH&S for specific disposal information.
  http://www.research.ucsf.edu/Forms/form3441.doc

Vaporizer Preventive Maintenance and Servicing:

It is required that vaporizers be fully serviced every 3 years.
This should include:

• Physical inspection of the whole machine with any necessary cleaning;
• Lubricating, testing and adjusting of vaporizer parts be completed every three years.

Vendors:

• Summit Anesthesia Solutions www.summitanesthesia.com
• Vet Equip Anesthesia Systems www.VetEquip.com
• JA Baulch & Associates - jabaulch@aol.com

Sources: American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists Commentary and
Recommendations on the Control of Waste Anesthetic Gases in the Workplace
www.acva.org/professional/Position/waste.htm