Changing chemicals
How to switch detergent and disinfectant
MEIKO TopClean M and TopClean H appliances safely and efficiently clean and disinfect personal protective equipment (PPE). The PPE manufacturers prescribe which chemicals can be used for which equipment. However, approved cleaning and disinfectant products are sometimes discontinued, preventing you from procuring them. This can cause your smooth-running processes to falter. We're here to help you avoid that. This article explains how to handle switching your chemicals.
TopClean M and TopClean H automatically dose their chemicals, conveniently and safely inside the appliance. The dosing process uses suction lances in canisters to deliver the detergents and disinfectants. Once the appliances are programmed, SCBA technicians just need to change the canisters when the chemicals run out. If you switch to using another chemical product, you cannot simply put the suction lance in the new chemical canister as this can cause interactions between the chemicals.
Chemical interactions
When different detergents and disinfectants mix, they may interact with negative effects like:
- Less than 100% disinfection
- Stickiness
- A greasy film on screens and BA masks
These changes will be seen and felt in the PPE and are, at minimum unpleasant; at their worst dangerous.
How to change chemicals step by step
When you switch your detergent and disinfectant for a new product, the appliance and PPE must be cleaned between products.
- MEIKO service technicians first take an inventory of what PPE and what chemicals are in use.
- Based on that, they work out the next steps. Generally, the first step will be to remove the canisters containing the old chemicals from the TopClean cleaning and disinfection appliances.
- Then, they bleed the air from the detergent and rinse aid dosing pipes and thoroughly clean the appliances using a pre-cleaner. Over the course of several wash cycles, the old chemicals are removed from the appliances.
- Once they are happy that this has happened, they reprogramme the appliance.
- At this stage, they hook up the canister of the new detergent and disinfectant and bleed the air from the dosing pipes for a second time. One final wash cycle and the switchover to the new chemicals is finished.
To avoid chemical interactions, the personal protective equipment must also be thoroughly cleaned between products.
Even minimal chemical residues on the equipment can have negative effects.
SCBA technicians have two options for how to remove residues from the PPE before the switchover: by hand in a soak tank or in a TopClean appliance.
Manually deep cleaning PPE in a soak tank
SCBA technicians follow the manufacturer's instructions and use their recommended products to clean the BA masks. For example, the BA masks could be soaked in a 1% solution of neodisher® MediClean forte or EW 80 clean at a maximum of 40 °C for 15 to 30 minutes. Then the PPE is rinsed thoroughly with water.
Machine deep cleaning PPE using MEIKO TopClean appliances
For this version, SCBA technicians connect a suitable, approved detergent to the suction lance for detergent and disinfectant. Then, they load the rack with the PPE and clean it over several programme cycles.
Important: Nothing is disinfected during this process. Once the washware has been cleaned, the detergent has to be removed from the TopClean appliances again. This is done using the process described above of bleeding air from the machine and deep cleaning it using several wash cycles.
Finally, the washware is dried overnight or using a drying cabinet according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Suitable detergent and disinfectant for PPE
Only detergent and/or disinfectant that has been comprehensively tested for material compatibility and cleaning performance by the PPE manufacturer should be used to clean personal protective equipment like BA masks, self-contained breathing apparatus, and regulators.
Help with switching chemicals
MEIKO service employees have received comprehensive training in this area and can complete the chemical product switchover for you. They will also be happy to help with any questions about specific products. Do you need to know whether a particular product is approved for use? Or do you have questions about the process? Get in touch! We will be happy to help.
