Atlas High Purity Solutions summarizes the AAMI TIR 34 upgrade of an existing Central Sterile Water System in Boston, MA
Challenge
A Boston-based surgical center required an upgrade of its reverse osmosis (RO) water system feeding various central sterile applications. The surgical center was eager to achieve AAMI TIR 34 recommendations for central sterile water. The center realized that its legacy high purity water system installed by a former vendor was incapable of generating the desired water quality. Frustrated by these results, the customer sought to replace the entire system and contacted Atlas for an evaluation. Upon completing its evaluation, Atlas determined it would be possible to achieve AAMI TIR 34 water quality by making modifications to the existing equipment, and consulted the customer to pursue an upgrade rather than the more expensive option of replacing the entire system.
Solution
Atlas determined that it was possible to upgrade the system rather than replace it entirely. The existing system had a handful of design flaws that would need to be addressed:
- UV was sized for only 50% of the required distribution flow rate
- Loop plumbing had 6” dead legs at each point of use, creating an ideal environment for bacteria growth
- Ball valves at points of use also promoted bacteria growth
- Final filters were neither tight enough nor not absolute rated, and did not have 222 O-ring style connections. As a result, bacteria could easily flow through final filters.
Atlas renovated the entire distribution system adding a properly sized 254 NM UV for disinfection. Atlas also removed all loop dead legs, adding sanitary needle valves rather than ball vales. A 0.2 micron absolute final filter was installed to restrict bacteria entry to the loop. The entire system was disinfected and tested for bacteria and endotoxin prior to start up to ensure that TIR 34 requirements were met. Finally, Atlas worked with the customer to implement a sampling and preventative maintenance schedule to ensure that AAMI TIR 34 water quality requirements would be continuously met going forward.
Atlas High Purity Solutions is experienced in the design, installation, and servicing of ultrapure water systems that exceed the stringent water quality requirements for standards such as AAMI TIR 34, USP, and ASTM Type 1.
AAMI TIR 34 Water Quality Standards (learn more about AAMI TIR 34 water guidelines)
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Atlas High Purity Solutions has been designing, installing, and servicing high purity water systems for more than thirty years, and is the leading provider of reverse osmosis and DI water solutions in the northeast United States.
