Standard Operating Procedure for Systems Check for the Beckman (DU Series 500) Spectrophotometer SOP Number: EQ-04-04 Date Revised: 02-25-08


US Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Pesticide Programs
Office of Pesticide Programs
Microbiology Laboratory
Environmental Science Center, Ft. Meade, MD
Standard Operating Procedure for
Systems Check for the Beckman (DU Series 500)
Spectrophotometer
SOP Number: EQ-04-04
Date Revised: 02-25-08

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SOP No. EQ-04-04
Date Revised 02-25-08
Page 1 of 6
EPA/OPP MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY
ESC, Ft. Meade, MD
Standard Operating Procedure
for
Systems Check for the Beckman (DU Series 500) Spectrophotometer
SOP Number: EQ-04-04
Date Revised: 02-25-08
Initiated By:		Date: / /
Print Name:	
Technical Review: 	Date: / /
Print Name:
Technical Staff
QA Review:		Date: / /
Print Name:	
QA Officer
Approved By:		Date: / /
Print Name:	
Branch Chief
Effective Date: 	/	/	
Controlled Copy No.:	
Withdrawn By:
Date: / /

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SOP No. EQ-04-04
Date Revised 02-25-08
Page 2 of 6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents	Page Number
1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION	3
2.0 DEFINITIONS	3
3.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY	3
4.0 CAUTIONS	3
5.0 INTERFERENCES	3
6.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS	3
7.0 SPECIAL APPARATUS AND MATERIALS	4
8.0 INSTRUMENT OR METHOD CALIBRATION	4
9.0 SAMPLE HANDLING AND STORAGE	4
10.0 PROCEDURE AM) ANALYSIS	4
11.0 DATA ANALYSIS/CALCULATIONS	 5
12.0 DATA MANAGEMENT/RECORDS MANAGEMENT	5
13.0 QUALITY CONTROL	5
14.0 NONCONFORMANCE AND CORRECTIVE ACTION	5
15.0 REFERENCES	5
16.0 FORMS AM) DATA SHEETS	5

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SOP No. EQ-04-04
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1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION:
1.1 This protocol describes the procedures for the systems check for the Beckman
(DD Series 500) Spectrophotometer.
2.0 DEFINITIONS:
2.1	Sampling module = the part of the Beckman spectrophotometer where the
cuvette-containing the sample is placed.
2.2	MSDS = Material safety data sheet.
3.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY: Not applicable
4.0 CAUTIONS:
4.1	Maintain an ambient temperature of 10-40°C for proper instrument operation.
Leave at least a 15 cm clearance at the top and on all sides for air circulation.
Keep the air vents under the instrument clean and free of materials that might
obstruct the air flow.
4.2	Allow the instrument to warm up for a minimum of 15 minutes before taking any
sample readings.
4.3	Lenses are located on both sides of the sampling module. Wipe lenses with a soft
lint-free and oil free cloth to clean. Do not use organic solvents such as acetone to
clean the lenses.
4.4	Keep the inside of the module clean and dry.
4.5	Prior to use, the analyst must be present during the entire system check of the
instrument and must either hear the three beeps or observe the "pass" statement
on the machine in order to verify that the instrument has passed the system check.
5.0 INTERFERENCES:
5.1 The entire sampling module must be kept clean. If it becomes dirty, wipe it clean
with soap and water and a soft cloth.
6.0 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS:

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SOP No. EQ-04-04
Date Revised 02-25-08
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6.1 Personnel are required to be knowledgeable of the procedures in this SOP.
Documentation of training and familiarization with this SOP can be found in the
training file for each employee.
7.0 SPECIAL APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:
7.1 Beckman DU Series 500 spectrophotometer: wavelength range 190-1100 run,
wavelength accuracy ±0.1 nm, wavelength repeatability 0.1 run, photometric
readout -0.3 to 3.0 A or 0.1-200.0% T, photometric accuracy ± 0.005 A (1A at
546.1 nm), stray light ± 0.05% T maximum at 220 nm and 320 nm, scanning
speed 40-1000 nm/min.
8.0 INSTRUMENT OR METHOD CALIBRATION:
8.1 The Beckman DU 500 spectrophotometer is sent out to a private contractor on an
annual basis for certification.
9.0 SAMPLE HANDLING AND STORAGE: Not applicable
10.0 PROCEDURE AND ANALYSIS:
10.1	The Beckman DU 500 Series spectrophotometer contains internal diagnostic tests
to aid in self-diagnosis, and a system check to validate the performance of the
instrument. Software upgrades are performed by uploading new system and
applications software via a computer.
10.2	Each time the instrument is powered up, a series of diagnostic tests is performed
automatically to ensure operation of major system components. This procedure,
which takes two minutes, checks the memory, voltage, systems, offset correction,
lamp alignment, and the wavelength calibration. The instrument contains
programs for checking wavelength accuracy, bandwidth, photometric noise, stray
light, photometric accuracy, photometric repeatability and photometric stability.
10.3	When all tests are complete, the main menu is displayed. The screen displays
"Pass" to denote that each of these areas are functioning properly. Record results
of the diagnostic check on the Beckman (DU Series 500) Spectrophotometer
Systems Check Record Form (see 16.1). Analyst must remain in the room during
the system check of the instrument (see cautions section 4.6).
10.4	The spectrophotometer can be programmed with a listing of analysis parameters
that the user has selected and has chosen to store for later recall (see ref. 15.1).

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SOP No. EQ-04-04
Date Revised 02-25-08
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10.5 The instalment has the capacity to store up to 200 readings taken in the fixed
wavelength mode.
11.0 DATA ANALYSIS/CALCULATIONS: None
12.0 DATA MANAGEMENTIRECORDS MANAGEMENT:
12.1 Data will be recorded promptly, legibly and in indelible ink on the Systems Check
Record Form (see 16.1). Completed forms are archived in notebooks kept in
secure file cabinets in the file room D217. Only authorized personnel have access
to the secured files. Archived data is subject to OPP's official retention schedule
contained in SOP ADM-03, Records and Archives.
13.0 QUALITY CONTROL:
13.1	The OPP Microbiology Laboratory conforms to 40 CFRPart 160, Good
Laboratory Practice Standards. Appropriate quality control measures are
integrated into each SOP.
13.2	For quality control purposes, the required information is documented on the
appropriate form (see 16.1).
14.0 NONCONFORMANCE AND CORRECTIVE ACTION:
14.1 If any function does not pass or if any error messages are displayed, refer to
section 17, Troubleshooting in the Operating Instructions (see ref. 15.1) and, if
necessary, contact the manufacturer for assistance. Record corrective actions on
the Systems Check Record Form under "Comments." Take spectrophotometer out
of service if troubleshooting does not resolve the issue. Arrange for service by a
qualified company or vendor.
15.0 REFERENCES:
15.1 Operating Instructions: Beckman DU Series 500 Spectrophotometer.
16.0 FORMS AND DATA SHEETS:
16.1 Beckman (DU Series 500) Spectrophotometer Systems Check Record Form

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SOP No. EQ-04-04
Date Revised 02-25-08
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Beckman (DD Series 500) Spectrophotometer
Systems Check Record
OPP Microbiology Laboratory
Date/Initials
Pass/Fail
Comments

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