410 Ind. Admin. Code 13-1-6

Current through October 31, 2024
Section 410 IAC 13-1-6 - Sterilization or disinfection; permits; procedures

Authority: IC 16-19-3-5; IC 16-41-32-14

Affected: IC 16-41-32

Sec. 6.

Sterilization or Disinfection.

(A) Each establishment using, or selling secondhand articles of bedding or filling materials therefor shall either have a permit for its own sterilization or disinfection equipment, or have its sterilization or disinfection performed by anyone having such a permit.
(B) Every applicant for permission to operate a sterilizing or disinfecting process shall furnish with such application, detailed plans and specifications in duplicate (2 copies) of the proposed equipment. A permit is valid for one year from date of issue and is renewable prior to expiration date on payment of $10.00. If renewed after expiration date, it is renewable only upon payment of the initial permit fee of $25.00.
(C) All unsterilized or undisinfected secondhand articles of bedding or materials therefor shall be separately stored and carefully segregated from new or clean articles of bedding or materials therefor. No new or clean materials shall be stored within a room or space used for sterilizing or disinfecting secondhand materials. Sterilizing or disinfecting chambers shall not be used for storage purposes.
(D) A sterilization or disinfection permit number shall not be misused.
(E) All sterilization or disinfection processes shall follow the method approved for that type process.
(F) All sterilization or disinfection equipment shall be maintained in good condition, no leaky joints, faulty construction, etc.
(G) All sterilization or disinfection permits must be kept posted conspicuously, preferably on the outside wall of the sterilization or disinfection chamber.
(H) The required written record of sterilization or disinfection performed shall be kept in a bound ledger, and such records shall be available for examination at any time by the Board.

The record shall show the date on which sterilization or disinfection was performed, and the articles of bedding or materials that were sterilized or disinfected and the name and address of the owner. EXAMPLE:

Date Articles Owners Name and Address
3-24-50 4 mattresses

Acme Furn. Store,

919 First Ave.,

Indianapolis.

1 bed davenport with three loose cushions

John Doe,

6120 Evans St.,

Indianapolis.

(I) The Board shall approve or disapprove an application for each separate installation and shall approve or disapprove each process. Processes to be approved shall either thoroughly sterilize or disinfect the article of bedding or materials thereof, to be processed. Such process shall not be placed in commercial operation until a numbered permit has been issued by the Board. Processes which comply with the following requirements will be approved upon application and inspection.
(I)(1) STEAM PRESSURE: A Steam pressure process, when approved by the Board, may be used to sterilize or disinfect any article of bedding or filling material.

SATISFACTORY COMPLIANCE: Articles of bedding or filling materials therefor sterilized or disinfected by this process shall be subjected to treatment by live steam for thirty (30) minutes at a pressure of fifteen (15) pounds and at a temperature of 250 degrees Fahr., or for twenty (20) minutes at a pressure of twenty (20) pounds and at a temperature of 260 degrees Fahr. Chamber must be steam tight, sufficiently strong to withstand the pressure applied, be equipped with visible pressure and temperature gauges and necessary safety devices. Chamber must be provided with wire or lattice work shelving which provides a minimum clearance of one (1) inch from bottom, top, sides and between articles of bedding being sterilized or disinfected.

(I)(2) DRY HEAT. Dry hot air, when approved by the Board, may be used to sterilize or disinfect articles of bedding or filling materials thereof.

SATISFACTORY COMPLIANCE: Sterilization or disinfection by the dry heat method requires developing and holding a temperature of 230 degrees Fahr. for a minimum period of two (2) hours after the temperature of 230 degrees Fahr. plus or minus 5 degrees is attained in an approved chamber. Steam, electricity or flue gases may be used to produce the heat but gas will not be approved for heating unless an indirect system is used where there could be no possibility of igniting the materials being sterilized or disinfected. A thermostat shall be connected with the heating device to provide and maintain a reasonably uniform temperature of 230 degrees Fahr. plus or minus 5 degrees Fahr. A recording thermometer shall be used to automatically record the temperature and time of each sterilization or disinfection period. The operator shall initial and date each sterilization or disinfection period on the recording thermometer charts and such charts shall be kept carefully filed for examination at any time by the Board.

(I)(3) FORMALDEHYDE AND MOISTURE. Formaldehyde gas in the presence of moisture, when approved by the Board, may be used to sterilize or disinfect articles of bedding or filling materials thereof which is not compressed to a degree in excess of the usual compression of cotton felt. Articles of bedding or filling materials shall be so spaced in approved sterilizing or disinfecting chamber as to allow free circulation of gas; not less than 4 inches on all sides and between articles. The exhaust from the sterilization or disinfection chamber shall discharge above the roof of building in such manner as will not create a health hazard. Formaldehyde being a toxic gas, provisions must be made to preclude any danger to employees in workroom. A minimum temperature shall be maintained in sterilization or disinfection chamber of not less than 70 degrees Fahr.

SATISFACTORY COMPLIANCE: Articles of bedding or filling materials thereof to be sterilized or disinfected by this method shall be treated with formaldehyde in a moist atmosphere not less than 70 degrees Fahr. for a period of at least ten (10) hours. Formaldehyde gas shall be generated from the use of one (1) pint of formaldehyde solution (37%) to each 1,000 cubic feet of air space in sterilizing or disinfecting chamber or through the use of any commercial fumigators which generate an equivalent quantity of gas. The minimum quantity of solution permitted is two (2) ounces regardless of how small the sterilizing or disinfecting chamber is. The solution must be heated or boiled to release the gas. Chamber must be gas tight and equipped with air inlet and outlet. Tight closure gate valves shall be provided on both air inlet and outlet. Shelving shall be of wire or lattice type construction or mattresses may be suspended from suitable hangers with proper spacing. Formaldehyde will not sterilize or disinfect unless moisture is present and the gas is used for the full period required, a minimum of ten (10) hours. Care must be taken that no fire hazard is present if a flame is used to vaporize the formaldehyde. This process is a germicidal treatment only and is not recommended as an insecticide.

(I)(4) FEATHERS or DOWN.
(1) New Feathers or Down: Sterilization or disinfection application must indicate that feathers or down are thoroughly washed and rinsed, that live steam and dry heat are applied and that feathers or down are free of dust or dirt on completion of the process.
(2) Secondhand Feathers or Down: Secondhand feather or down articles of bedding will be considered as having been sterilized or disinfected when the contents and ticking are kept intact without opening and washed by a commercial laundry method with subsequent drying to remove moisture; or when processed by a method for which approval has been obtained from the Board.
(I)(5) HAIR.
(1) New Hair: Sterilization or disinfection application must indicate the entire process used for washing and curling (if curled), and that at some point during the process the hair remains in boiling water a sufficient period (not less than 1 hour) to kill all pathogenic organisms.
(2) Secondhand Hair: Secondhand articles of bedding will be considered as having been sterilized or disinfected when the hair is removed from the ticking and washed by a commercial laundry method and subsequently dried to remove all moisture, and when the ticking is also washed and subsequently dried; or when processed by a method for which approval has been obtained from the Board.
(I)(6) WOOL.
(1) New Wool: Sterilization or disinfection application must indicate whether raw wool or previously scoured and carbonized wool is to be treated. The processing of raw wool must be set forth in detail and indicate that at some point during the scouring and carbonizing, the wool is subjected to wet or dry heat or acid treatment sufficient to kill all pathogenic spores and micro-organisms. Wool fibers reclaimed from new fabric need not be re-sterilized or re-disinfected.
(2) Secondhand Wool: Secondhand wool articles of bedding will be considered as having been sterilized or disinfected when the contents and cover are kept intact without opening and washed or dry cleaned by a commercial laundering or dry cleaning method; or when processed by a method for which approval has been obtained from the Board.
(I)(7) DRY CLEANING: Dry cleaning, when approved by the Board, may be used to sterilize or disinfect articles of bedding or filling materials thereof.

SATISFACTORY COMPLIANCE: Sterilization or disinfection by dry cleaning shall be deemed to have been met when bedding articles or materials have been subjected to a commercial dry cleaning process.

(I)(8) OTHER METHOD: Articles of bedding or filling materials thereof may be sterilized or disinfected by any other method which is safe to use, and is adequately proficient to thoroughly sterilize or disinfect the product or material to be processed, and for which approval has been given by the Board.

410 IAC 13-1-6

Indiana State Department of Health; Reg HSB 4; filed Apr 26, 1950, 3:15 pm: Rules and Regs. 1951, p. 136; readopted filed Jul 11, 2001, 2:23 p.m.: 24 IR 4234; readopted filed May 22, 2007, 1:44 p.m.: 20070613-IR-410070141RFA; readopted filed Sep 11, 2013, 3:19 p.m.: 20131009-IR-410130346RFA
Readopted filed 11/13/2019, 3:14 p.m.: 20191211-IR-410190391RFA