LAR Standard Operating Procedures

All-Surface Cleaning (ASC)

Last updated: December 7, 2011

I. Purpose

All-surface cleaning (ASC) is used to sanitize all surfaces of an animal room in order to eliminate microorganisms that may endanger the health of an animal.

II. Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the LAR Staff to ensure all animal rooms and Lab Animal Resource related areas undergo all-surface cleaning (ASC) on a monthly basis. Documentation of the monthly ASC must be posted on the schedule board in HSB 009 and ante-rooms of Skaggs animal areas. At the end of each month, this record is then transferred to the ASC nnotebook file in HS009 and file cabinet in SB041.

III. Procedure 

• Fill pressurized spray bottles located in the dirty cage wash room with Mikro-quat and set spray bottle on cart. Take cart and a ladder to specific room or area to be cleaned.
• Move animal cages and equipment to center area of room to allow unobstructed spraying of the wall surfaces.
• Spray all wall and ceiling surfaces.
• After spraying, all fixtures including sinks, broom holders, brooms, and trash cans must all be wiped dry down with paper towels.
• Doors and windows are wiped dry with paper towels to prevent water stains.
• Use the ladder to access light fixtures. Open light fixture locks and clean light covers with Micro-Quat and paper towels.
• Use ladder to wipe off top of animal racks and animal transfer station and ceiling vents.
• Clean Animal Transfer Station using Micro-Quat, paper towels and hand vacuum (mark off on daily sheet).
• Finally, mop the excess Micro-quat from the floor using the mop and bucket provided in the room. For non-room areas, use the mop and bucket from the cage-wash room.
• Place all items, such as animal racks or cages, back in their original location. Run any empty racks through the cage washer.
• When finished, document that the ASC was completed by filling out the schedule board in HSB 009 and SB ante-room. At the end of the month, put the information into ASC notebook in HS009 file cabinet and SB041 file cabinet.

IV. Safety Considerations 

• Wear gloves, lab coat and booties while cleaning. Wear rubber gloves if hands will be submerged for long periods of time (see MSDS book)
• Lab coats are washed weekly
• Use caution with light fixtures when washing diffusers