A wet pack, in a clinical setting, is a very serious issue.
A wet load in a hospital, clinic, or surgery center, by law, cannot be used and must be re-processed. When packs or loads need to be reprocessed, hospitals or surgical centers fall behind on scheduled surgeries.
So why do wet packs happen?
The root cause: poor steam quality due to a poor sterilizer plumb job.
What’s the right way to plumb the PRIMUS steam sterilizer?
Review the drawing at the bottom of this post.
This important plumbing diagram must be thoroughly reviewed with the end-user before the sterilizer is installed to ensure everything is in place.
TIP: The costs and logistics of the system upgrade must be agreed to with the end customer.
Steam system upgrade costs should be an end-user responsibility as is the case with other utility requirements.
Again, discussions and agreements prior to installation will be the key to having a happy customer and a well-functioning sterilization process.
More technical recommendations
Elevation wise, the separator should be mounted near but not above the sterilizer inlet with the trap line locating the bucket trap close to the floor.
The bottom of the bucket trap should not be set below the drain line elevation.
PRIMUS recommends an Eaton Cast Iron Steam Separator, sized appropriately for the application.
As detailed in our approval drawings, PRIMUS’ steam pressure requirement specifies 60-80 psig dynamic pressure.
PRIMUS’ recommendation on steam piping is threaded black iron or threaded brass pipe.
Have questions?
Email our resident PRIMUS sterilizer expert, Dave Schall to answer all of your questions. Contact Dave at Spire Integrated Solutions at 877.679.7800 x1212.
Technical drawing
