CAGE PROCESSING in Animal Facilities - Felasa

Table 9-6Sources and causesWashing of bottle caps in washers designed forcages.Thus can cause clogging of the bottle nipple due toa carry-over of bedding particles.Improper usage of detergent or even no use of anydetergent.Overloading of the presentation baskets with bottlecaps.Usage of unsuitable containers during washingof caps, for example plastic baskets with smallopenings which cause an insufficient or even nowater coverage.Preventative measuresTreatment of bottle caps in special designedwashing machine (e.g. bottle and bottle cap washerwith individual water jet configuration).Usage of adequate detergents (e.g. acid detergent)Avoid cleaning of caps in a washer after that hasbeen used to process cages with remains of bedding.Or: mechanical cleaning of the caps only after abasic cleaning cycle of the washing machine toavoid a carry-over of particles.When cleaning caps in baskets randomlyaccommodated, the number of caps should belimited in order to ensure a complete coverage withwater on the inner side.For a suitable and secure processing of the caps theusage of wire baskets is recommended, to minimizethe spray shadow.For special requirements a particular design ofbaskets is available, with a defined arrangement ofthe bottle caps enabling a targeted spot cleaning.Remainder of oily, fatty substances – also smallamounts – could lead to partly or fully clogging ofthe bottle (refer to figure 9.6).Review of quality of the on-site compressed airused for pneumatic decapping and sterilisation(supporting pressure) to avoid oily residues in thecompressed air (refer to chapter 5.2.4).Review of compliance of the on-site steam qualityaccording to steam specification EN 285 (refer tochapter 5.2.2.2) to avoid substances like corrosioninhibitors in the steam. This would cause an oilylayer in the bottle nipple.Review of compliance of the on-site water quality toavoid oily residues in the water supply for the bottlefilling procedure (refer to chapter 5.2.1).If applicable evaluate the suitability of the greaseapplied to the door seals of the sterilizer.Figure 9-6 left Cut bottle nipple with inadequatewater flow. Clearly visible the incomplete water wettingon the inner side of the capillaryFigure 9-6 right Cut bottle nipple withtrouble-free water flowCage Processing in Animal Facilities · 4th issue · 2013 65