SOP for cleaning, operation, and calibration of Muffle Furnace

1.0 OBJECTIVE: 1.1 To lay down a procedure for cleaning, operation, and calibration of Muffle Furnace.

2.0 SCOPE: 2.1 This procedure is applicable for Cleaning, Operation, and calibration of Muffle Furnace in Analytical Development in the Pharmaceutical Laboratory.

Instrument Id. : XY/XY/001

Location: Fume Hood

3.0 REFERENCE:

3.1 In-House

4.0 RESPONSIBILITY:

4.1 Officer/ Executive-AD shall follow the procedure for Cleaning, Operation of Muffle Furnace.

4.2 Section In-charge shall ensure proper cleaning and operation of the muffle furnace.

4.3 Approved calibration agency shall calibrate the Muffle furnace.

5.0 ACCOUNTABILITY:

5.1 Head-AD or his / her Designee shall be accountable for this SOP.

6.0 PROCEDURE:

6.1 Cleaning Procedure:

6.1.1 Ensure that the Muffle Furnace is in “OFF” position.

6.1.2 During cleaning, the temperature of outer body of furnace shall be at room temperature.

6.1.3 Clean the outer body of Muffle Furnace by moping with dry lint-free cloth.

Related SOP: SOP for Operation and Calibration of Flame Photometer

6.2 Operating Procedure:

6.2.1 Before using, ensure that the instrument is placed on a firm, leveled, and vibration-free base, away from corrosive materials, and is calibrated.

6.2.2 Ensure that the temperature controller is calibrated.

6.2.3 There is a main controller provided on front panel of instrument.

6.2.4 There are two indicators provided on the front panel of the instrument.

1) Load indicator (Red)
2) Mains Indicator (Green)

6.2.5 The temperature controller has three options for setting.

1) PUSH
2) COARSE
3) FINE

6.2.6 Switch on the mains to start the power supply of instrument.

6.2.7 The red light of main indicator will glow “on”.

6.2.8 Set the required temperature on controller by pressing “PUSH” button and using “COARSE” and “FINE” knobs.

6.2.9 Set the increase rate of temperature by rotating the “Mains controller” knob.

6.2.10 The heating process will start and the green light glow on.

6.2.11 Put the test in furnace and close the door properly by pushing the handle down side.

6.2.12 When required temperature of furnace is achieved, the green light will cut off.

6.2.13 The existing temperature of the furnace will be displayed on the controller screen.

6.2.14 After completion of analysis release the temperature and turn main switch to OFF position.

6.2.15 Open the door of furnace for tacking out the sample under test.

6.3 Calibration Procedure:

6.3.1 Calibration of the instrument shall be performed by an approved Calibration agency.

6.3.2 Calibration of Muffle Furnace shall be done for Temperature Controller.

6.3.3 A Calibration Certificate for the same shall be provided by approved calibration agency.

6.3.4 Calibration Frequency: Yearly (± 30 Days) and after any maintenance

6.4 Precaution:

6.4.1 Instrument should be clean & free from dust etc.

6.4.2 Always use suitable tongs to keep and withdraw the sample during analysis.

6.4.3 Always use PPE during the handling of instrument.

7.0 EHS:

NIL

8.0 ABBREVIATION:

SOP: Standard Operating Procedure

AD: Analytical Development