ASTM E1292-94(2022)

Standard Specification for Gravity Convection and Forced Ventilation Incubators

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the performance requirements for general-purpose air incubators ordinarily used for incubating procedures. It is applicable to gravity and forced ventilation incubators designed to operate over a specified range of temperature. This specification does not include any requirements for the safe handling of harmful or disease bearing organisms. Temperature uniformity within a specified period of time shall be tested using several thermocouples.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the performance requirements for general purpose air incubators ordinarily used for incubating procedures, which have an incubating chamber up to 0.6 m3 (25 ft3) in volume. It is applicable to gravity and forced ventilation incubators designed to operate over all or part of the temperature range from 5 °C above ambient to 75 °C.  
1.2 This specification does not include any requirements for the safe handling of harmful or disease bearing organisms.  
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portions, Sections 4, 5, and 6, of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2021
• ICS: 07.080 - Biology. Botany. Zoology
• ICS: 11.220 - Veterinary medicine
• Technical Committee: E41 - Laboratory Apparatus
• Drafting Committee: E41.06 - Laboratory Instruments and Equipment

Overview

ASTM E1292-94(2022) is the internationally recognized standard specification for gravity convection and forced ventilation incubators used in laboratory settings. Developed by ASTM International, this standard establishes clear performance requirements for general-purpose air incubators with chamber volumes up to 0.6 m³ (25 ft³). It applies to both gravity convection and forced ventilation models designed to regulate and maintain temperatures ranging from 5 °C above ambient to 75 °C. This standard supports laboratory best practices by ensuring consistent chamber temperatures, sufficient ventilation rates, and verified recovery times, which are essential for reliable incubating procedures.

Key Topics

• Incubator Types

  • Type 1A: Gravity convection, temperature uniformity within 3% differential
  • Type 1B: Gravity convection, temperature uniformity within 6% differential
  • Type 2A: Forced ventilation, temperature uniformity within 2% differential
  • Type 2B: Forced ventilation, temperature uniformity within 5% differential

• Performance Requirements

  • Automatic temperature control ensuring specified uniformity
  • Ventilation rates measured in air changes per hour, within prescribed ranges for each incubator type
  • Chamber recovery time requirements after exposure or door openings

• Test Methods

  • Use of calibrated thermocouples to assess temperature uniformity across the incubating chamber
  • Measurement of ventilation rate using controlled test procedures
  • Calculation of recovery time with precise temperature monitoring

• Safety Consideration

  • The standard does not provide guidance on biosafety or handling dangerous organisms
  • Users must establish appropriate health, safety, and environmental practices

Applications

ASTM E1292-94(2022) is widely referenced for the validation, selection, and quality assurance of air incubators in:

• Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratories: Ensuring reliable temperature conditions for incubation of samples and cultures
• Pharmaceutical and Biotech R&D: Supporting development processes that require controlled environmental conditions
• Industrial Laboratories: Providing standards for testing and research where precise incubation is required
• Academic/Research Institutions: Guiding procurement and maintenance of incubators for teaching and experimental purposes

By adhering to this standard, organizations can ensure that incubators meet stringent requirements for temperature uniformity, ventilation, and performance, reducing the risk of variability or compromised results.

Related Standards

• ASTM E1133: Standard Practice for Health Requirements Relating to Occupational Exposure to Laboratory Chemicals
• ASTM E145: Standard Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
• ISO/IEC 17025: General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
• ISO 8655-1: Laboratory equipment - Piston-operated volumetric apparatus - Part 1: Terminology, general requirements and user recommendations

Practical Value

Following ASTM E1292-94(2022) guarantees that gravity convection and forced ventilation incubators perform consistently and reliably within specified temperature and ventilation parameters. This standard is essential for facilities aiming to meet regulatory compliance, produce high-quality laboratory results, and maintain confidence in sensitive incubation procedures. By leveraging internationally recognized guidelines, users can thoroughly evaluate incubator performance, contributing to robust laboratory operations and facilitating global harmonization of laboratory equipment standards.

Keywords: gravity convection incubators, forced ventilation incubators, laboratory incubators standard, ASTM E1292, temperature uniformity, ventilation requirements, incubator recovery time, laboratory equipment specification, performance requirements, compliance.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:E1292 −94 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Specification for
Gravity Convection and Forced Ventilation Incubators
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1292; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.1.4 Type 2B—An incubator ventilated by forced ventila-
tion having a uniformity of temperature within 5 % of the
1.1 This specification covers the performance requirements
differential between incubator and ambient temperature.
for general purpose air incubators ordinarily used for incubat-
ing procedures, which have an incubating chamber up to
3. Performance Requirements
3 3
0.6 m (25 ft ) in volume. It is applicable to gravity and forced
3.1 The temperature within the incubating chamber shall be
ventilationincubatorsdesignedtooperateoverallorpartofthe
controlled by an automatic device, and shall be uniform within
temperature range from 5 °C above ambient to 75 °C.
the tolerances given in Table 1, when tested in accordance with
1.2 This specification does not include any requirements for
Section 4.
the safe handling of harmful or disease bearing organisms.
3.2 The rate of ventilation of the incubating chamber shall
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
conform to the requirements specified in Table 1 for the
test method portions, Sections 4, 5, and 6, of this specification.
particular type of incubator when measured in accordance with
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety
the procedure given in Section 5.
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
3.3 The recovery time of the incubating chamber shall
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety,
conform to the requirements specified in Table 1 for the
health, and environmental practices and determine the appli-
particulartypeofincubator,whentestedinaccordancewiththe
cability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
procedure specified in Section 6.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4. Test Methods
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 Temperature Uniformity:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1.1 Place nine calibrated thermocouples (Note 1) made
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
from iron-constantan or copper-constantan wires approxi-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
mately 0.5 mm in diameter (No. 24 gauge) and having a
junction size of not more than 2 mm (0.08 in.) in the empty
2. Types
incubating chamber with shelves in place, and vents open.
2.1 This specification covers the following four types of air
Locate one thermocouple in each of the eight corners of the
incubators:
incubator approximately 5 cm (2 in.) from each wall, and place
2.1.1 Type 1A—An incubator ventilated by gravity convec-
the ninth thermocouple within 2.5 cm (1 in.) of the geometric
tion having a uniformity of temperature within 3 % of the
center of the chamber. A minimum length of 30 cm (12 in.) of
differential between incubator and ambient temperature,
wire for each thermocouple shall be inside the incubator to
2.1.2 Type 1B—An incubator ventilated by gravity convec-
minimize the conduction of heat from the thermocouple.
tion having a uniformity of temperature within 6 % of the
NOTE 1—If calibrated thermocouples are not available, nine thermo-
differential between incubator and ambient temperature,
couples made from the same spool of wire may be used, provided they
2.1.3 Type 2A—An incubator ventilated by forced ventila-
give the same value for temperature when placed adjacent to one another
tion having a uniformity of temperature within 2 % of the in the incubating chamber at the temperature of the test.
differential between incubator and ambient temperature,
4.1.2 Bring the incubator to the specified temperature and
allow it to reach a steady state (Note 2). Record the tempera-
ture of the nine thermocouples for a period of at least 12 h and
determine from the record the maximum deviation of each
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E41 on
Laboratory Apparatus and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E41.06 on
point from the desired temperature. The ambient room tem-
Laboratory Instruments and Equipment.
perature shall vary by not more than a total of 5 °C and the line
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2022. Published February 2022. Originally
voltage shall not
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