Services
When the Glassware Facility opened at the HCC, the purchase of new washer/dryer units and autoclaves increased the capacity and the volume of work that the Facility is able to perform. Presently, the Facility and its three staff members are able to prepare, wash/dry, and autoclave 2,000 pieces of glassware and 400 liquid preparations for the autoclave per week. The Facility normally operates 10 hours a day, and can expand operations to evening and weekend hours as needed.
All staff members have been trained to solve minor equipment problems in order to keep the Facility operating at full capacity. The appropriate service companies are contacted when problems arise that require outside servicing so that the Facility is able to return to operations at full capacity as quickly as possible. The Facility includes two autoclaves and two large capacity washer/dryer units, as well as storage space for carts and a larger counter where glassware can be prepared for washing/drying and autoclaving.
The Facility Director and staff have developed a schedule so that the needs of all the laboratories at the HCC are met approximately once every three business days; liquids are tended to daily. One Facility staff member is responsible for collecting dirty glassware from the laboratories and returning clean glassware. One Facility staff member prepares the glassware with foil, tape, and pouches when needed and is responsible for cleaning the glassware in the washer/dryer units. These units can accommodate 25 to 40 pieces of glassware of various sizes, which makes it possible to service approximately two laboratories and all their glassware washing and drying needs in a cycle. The glassware used for tissue culturing must be done separately. One staff member is responsible for all autoclave needs, specifically autoclaving liquids for various experiments. Since this procedure requires 1.5 hours to complete, liquids are autoclaved in the morning hours.