Sterile storage cabinet 101

Managing cleanliness and sterilization standards is a constant challenge for healthcare facilities, especially when you face space constraints. Air Innovations’ sterile storage cabinets (SSC 4500) offer increased storage space with controllable temperature and humidity conditions—technologies that meet or exceed industry standards.

Sterile Storage

Facilities need to maintain sterile conditions for stored sterilized implements, equipment, and inventory. This includes detailed procedures for cleaning and sterilizing, but also the right storage tools, so companies can stay compliant with regulatory standards.

Sterile storage units do not just create a barrier between items and potential contaminants like dust, dirt, viruses, or bacteria. They regulate the temperature and humidity to prevent decay and increase the shelf life of stored goods. Medical and industrial facilities need sterile storage capabilities for scrubs and head covers, as well as other sensitive items, such as surgical instrumentation, surgical implants, medications, and surgical setups. They decentralize the storage of sterile instruments.

Download Sterile Storage Cabinet Datasheet
  • Operational Features
    Operational Features 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

    Modular

    The modular design of the cabinet enables hospital staff to decentralize their sterile storage to be closer to points of use.

    Adjustable Shelves

    The five shelves can be pulled out for easy access and to adjust the height, enabling additional storage and the storage of different types of products.

    Movable

    Wheels with front casters and locks allow the unit to be easily moved from room to room as required.

    Water tank and fill spout

    Water tank visibility shows the amount of water stored. The tank can hold up to ¾ gallon of demineralized water for optimal humidification control. Fill spout makes it easy to refill the water as needed.

    No construction

    The SSC4500 is an on-demand cleanroom that enables flexibility in restrictive spaces. No construction or complicated permit processes required.

    Heavy duty power cord

    The unit’s power cord is a 120V hospital-grade 10ft long plug-in cord.

    Handles

    Handles on the side of the unit make it easy to relocate if necessary.

    Door lock

    Locking mechanism on door with keypad enables product security.

    Low power consumption

    Power consumption on the SSC400 is low enough to be plugged right into hospital emergency red plate outlets. This is optimal because if the power goes out for the building, the cabinet will still stay on, protecting the equipment inside.

    User interface

    The user interface enables quick readings of the SSC400’s temperature, humidity, pressure, and alarm.

    Optional Heat exhaust

    This option allows users to store the SSC4500 in small closets and vents through a ceiling tile. The waste heat from the cabinet can be discharged to the large spaces above the ceiling tiles. The kit provides a clean and neat way to manage the heat in small spaces.

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  • Contamination Prevention
    Contamination Prevention 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

    HEPA filter

    Any airborne viables in the cabinet are captured in the 99.97% efficient HEPA filter every 15 seconds.

    Air recirculation

    The cabinet recirculates air with 250 air changes per hour through a HEPA filter (6x more than in a standard operating room). ARON sterilization guidelines require only 4 total air changes per hour.

    Humidity control

    The cabinet keeps humidity below 60% RH to prevent moisture buildup to prevent material degradation and microorganism breeding.

    Positive pressure

    Positive pressure air flows going out of any opening to prevent the infiltration of surrounding particles into the cabinet.

    Temperature control

    To prevent material and pouch degradation, the cabinets keep temperatures below 72°F (per ARON sterilization guidelines).

    Optional UV-C Lights

    The UV-C light is located above the HEPA filter and floods the filter with intense UV-C rays. This will sterilize airborne viruses and bacteria on the HEPA filter.

    ISO 4 Cleanliness

    Exceeds ISO 4 cleanliness (or better in controlled environments). After opening the cabinet door, returning to this ultra-clean state takes less than 5 minutes.

    Stainless steel interior and shelves

    Hospital-grade 304 stainless steel construction makes it easy to sanitize the interior without risk of materials degrading.

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From Our Customers:

“Thank you so much. I really like the cabinets and they have helped us get into compliance.” Government Customer, “K.E.” 

Sterile Storage – Temperature & Humidity Controlled Cabinets

Ensuring Sterile Storage Conditions

Sterile storage cabinets offer optimal conditions for storing goods to maintain their existing level of cleanliness after they undergo sterilization or while they are in their original sealed packaging. Look for cabinets that offer the following:

  • Flexibility
  • Temperature and Humidity control
  • Positive Pressure
  • Filtration
  • Cleanliness

Well-designed cabinets drastically reduce the risk of contamination even after the equipment has been sterilized. Some of these events include excessive handling, moisture penetrating the item’s package or seal, or exposure to contaminants.

Sterile Storage Cabinet Case Study
Maintaining the Right Environment

Sterile Storage Temperature and Humidity Parameters

Maintaining the right temperature and humidity conditions is essential for protecting goods from contaminants and degradation. Hot temperatures can ruin the materials or break the seals in the original packaging. Moisture buildup degrades fibrous material and can create a breeding ground for even small traces of microorganisms. While this is a risk for even short-term storage, it is an even more pressing concern for long-term storage with irregular access.

Facilities can manage these risks by investing in ventilated storage cabinets that can keep the temperature below 75°F and humidity levels below 70%. These cabinets should be augmented with sensors and chemical indicators that can alert facility managers of potential exposure or changes to the storage conditions.

Learn More About Our Sterile Storage Solution.

Sterile Storage Cabinet Features:

SSC 4500 Sterile Storage Cabinet

At Air Innovations, we build our cabinets to replicate cleanroom conditions, so you can easily monitor your equipment’s conditions and rely on the integrity of the space. Each of our portable cabinets offers steam humidification to meet ideal storage conditions with just standard demineralized water, and each system can interface with nearly any network environmental monitoring systems, including FreshLoc or TempTrak systems. The cabinets have features such as metal construction, industry-standard filtration and humidity control, smart monitoring tools that limit traffic or exposure, and more:

  • Bottom casters for easy movement
  • Hospital-grade 304 stainless steel construction that’s easy to sanitize
  • HEPA Filtration designed to exceed ISO 4 Cleanliness (or better in controlled environments)
  • 120V hospital-grade 10ft long plug-in cord

Our cabinets meet or exceed the following standards:

  • IEC 60601-1 Medical Standard for Power Supplies
  • ISO 4 Cleanliness (or better in controlled environments)
  • Requirements of VA Directive 1116(2);

—CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Z314.15-10;
—ANSI/AAMI ST79-2006 (by storing sterilized instruments in an environment with temperature and humidity control, positive pressure, HEPA filtration, and ventilation);
—ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2017

 

Contact Us for Your Sterile Storage Needs

Having access to the right storage keeps your equipment, patients, and business safer. We have leasing options available, so you can store your items when you need it the most. Contact us today to find the right sterile storage cabinet that fits your requirements.

Leasing Options Available

Common Applications

Common Applications of Sterile Storage Cabinets

SSC4500 Sterile storage cabinets belong wherever facilities need access to sterilized personal protective equipment (PPE), reliable inventory storage of humidity and temperature-sensitive goods, and medical implements. Some of the most popular applications of our sterile storage cabinets include the following:

  • Use in hospitals and private practice offices
  • For dental implements and equipment storage
  • To store veterinary equipment and supplies
  • Retrofitting medical facilities with additional storage
  • Offsite storage of single-use, manufacturer sterilized supplies

Interested in learning about how our Sterile Storage Cabinet came to be? Read our case study regarding the process of designing and manufacturing the product. 

Contact Us today to learn more and to discuss your post sterile storage requirements!