In the User’s Laboratory:

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Collection and Storage: Retrieve the required washed and sterile glass serological pipettes from the designated shelves. Pipettes are stored in aluminium cans labeled either 5ml, 10ml, 25ml, or as short pipettes for tissue culture use. Securely position the aluminium cans containing the glass serological pipettes on your lab bench.
Pipette Soaking Setup: Set up the Kartell Pipette jar (part number: 10554471, Fisher Scientific UK Ltd) and Kartell Pipette Basket (part number: 11310455, Fisher Scientific UK Ltd). Position the setup floor-standing and fill it with 1% Virkon, ensuring it's filled to approximately 75% capacity.
Post-Use Handling: After using the glass pipettes, immerse them in the 1% Virkon solution within the Kartell Pipette jar for a strict duration of 30 minutes. Relocate the soaked pipettes to the dirty wash-up trays. Ensure they are laid flat and segregated from other glassware. If the pipettes were used for non-biohazardous materials, they can be transferred straight in the tray, bypassing the Virkon step.
Returning Used Equipment:Once all pipettes from an aluminium can are used, lay the empty can flat in your dirty wash-up tray. The washing-up facility will subsequently collect both the pipettes and the aluminium cans.

Washing up Facility:

Decontamination: For added safety, immerse the pipettes again in 1% Virkon for 30 minutes.
Dishwashing: Organize the glass serological pipettes within the lab dishwasher's pipette insert, ensuring they neither touch nor overlap. Operate the lab dishwasher on a cycle tailored for glassware. Utilizing pressurized water jets, each washing cycle spans 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Preparation for Sterilization: After washing, sort the pipettes on the bench. Transfer one sized pipettes into aluminium cans, close the can lids, and affix autoclave tape to the exterior.
Sterilization: Position the aluminium cans containing the pipettes in the lab oven. Bake at 160°C for 3 hours.
Storage Post-Sterilization: After cooling, place the sterilized pipettes on the designated shelf. They are now ready for users to collect and use in their experiments.