Sterilization Retort Standard Safety Operating Procedures

1. Pre-operation Inspection

1. Check that the safety valve, pressure gauge and thermometer are in good condition, sensitive and within the valid calibration period.
2. Inspect the pot door sealing ring for no damage or foreign matter; ensure the door is fully closed and well sealed.
3. Check all pipelines, valves, steam traps and drain valves for no leakage.
4. Confirm the electric control cabinet, circuit and grounding system work normally with no abnormal motor noise.
5. Keep the inner pot free of sundries; place products neatly without overloading or blocking circulation channels.

2. Loading and Door Closing Operation

1. Place products in layers with reserved gaps for medium circulation; never overload or exceed the height limit.
2. Close the retort door and fasten all locking buckles and interlock devices firmly.
3. It is strictly forbidden to start heating and pressurizing if the pot door is not fully locked.

3. Heating, Sterilization and Constant Temperature Stage

1. Open the steam or water inlet valve slowly; avoid opening steam fully at once to prevent sudden pressure surge and equipment impact damage.
2. Monitor the pressure gauge and thermometer in real time during heating; strictly follow technical parameters for temperature and pressure.
3. Do not arbitrarily change preset parameters for automatic retorts; it is prohibited to short-circuit safety interlocks privately.
4. Never open the pot door or loosen locking devices during operation; keep away from the front of the pot door.
5. Regularly check normal exhaust and drainage; never operate under over-temperature or over-pressure conditions.

4. Cooling and Pressure Relief Operation

1. Stop the heat source first after sterilization holding; release pressure and reduce temperature slowly. Rapid pressure relief is forbidden.
2. Cool products step by step according to processing requirements; avoid sudden cooling for glass bottles and flexible packages to prevent bottle cracking and bag breaking.
3. Do not unlock or open the door until the internal pressure drops to zero and the temperature falls to a safe range.
4. It is strictly prohibited to open the door forcibly with residual pressure or high temperature inside.

5. Unloading Operation

1. Only loosen locking devices after confirming no residual pressure and high temperature inside the retort.
2. Open the pot door slowly and stay away from hot steam outlet to prevent scalding.
3. Handle high-temperature products carefully to avoid collision and scald injuries.

6. Shutdown and Daily Maintenance

1. Drain all residual water after each shift; clean the inner tank, sealing ring and material basket thoroughly to remove food residue.
2. Calibrate pressure gauges and safety valves regularly; stop operation immediately for maintenance if blockage or malfunction occurs.
3. Inspect and replace the sealing ring periodically to avoid steam leakage caused by poor sealing.
4. Stop equipment power and steam supply immediately if abnormal noise, leakage or pressure fluctuation appears; do not restart until troubleshooting is completed.

7. Prohibited Violations

1. Forbid operation under over-pressure, over-temperature and over-time conditions.
2. Forbid removing or shielding safety interlocks, safety valves and pressure gauges.
3. Forbid untrained and non-professional personnel to operate the equipment.
4. Forbid running and sterilizing with faulty equipment.
5. Forbid standing or staying in front of the retort door during operation.