OPERATION OF LAMINAR AIR FLOW

• PROCEDURE:
• Laminar air flow: Laminar air flow (LAF) is a type of air flow that is smooth, uniform, and in a single direction. It’s achieved by drawing air through a HEPA filter, which removes particles as small as 0.3 microns, and then blowing it evenly across a workspace. This creates a clean and controlled environment that is ideal for work that requires minimal contamination.

• Check the level of instrument base. The base should possess a uniform level with no up and downs.
• Ensure that the laminar airflow station is free from dust and placed in such a position that no turbulence is created while opening the door.
• Switch ON the mains.There are six switches at the left side or front side panel of the equipment and a magnehelic gauge at the centre or right side corner.
• Switch (1&2) for air Flow – LAF – ‘ON’ & ‘OFF’Switch (3&4) for light – ‘LUX’ – ‘ON’ & ‘OFF’Switch (5&6) for UV light – ‘UV’ – ‘ON’ & ‘OFF’
• The Air Flow and UV should be kept ON for about 30 minutes before carrying out any work under laminar airflow.
• Switch ‘OFF’ the UV and put ‘ON’ the normal light.
• Check the magnehelic gauge reading and ensure that it is at zero before the LAF unit is switched ON.
• Ensure that the magnehelic gauge reading is in between 10 -25 mm.
• Maintain a record of the manometer readings daily as per Format-I.
• Switch ‘OFF’ the LAF after the completion of the test.
• Maintain a separate record for UV lamp burning hours (usually 2000hrs) as per Format-II.

• ANNEXURES: 

• ABBREVIATIONS:

Annexure-I
Manometer/ Magnehelic Gauge Record Sheet

Annexure-II
LAF – UV LAMP Maintenance Record