Sterifast Approved Bowie & Dick Test
The Bowie & Dick Test is a chemical indicator used for the daily monitoring of pre-vacuum steam sterilizers. Compliant with ISO 11140 requirements, it verifies steam penetration performance and confirms the complete removal of residual air from the sterilizer chamber prior to the sterilization cycle. The indicator is designed specifically for pre-vacuum sterilizers, where air is evacuated by a vacuum pump before steam enters the chamber. During a successful cycle, the indicator changes color from pink to black; an incomplete or uneven color change signals a potential issue with steam quality, vacuum performance, or air leakage during the vacuum phase, prompting further technical inspection of the equipment.
Key Features
- Complies with ISO 11140 requirements for chemical indicators
- Detects steam penetration failure and residual air in the sterilizer chamber
- Specific to pre-vacuum steam sterilizers
- Clear pink-to-black color change for straightforward visual reading
- Metal-free construction
- Non-sterile product
- CE marked
Technical Data
| Specification | Value |
| Reference | 330606004 |
| Standard compliance | ISO 11140 |
| Sterilization type | Steam |
| Detection temperature | 121 °C |
| Time required for detection (121 °C) | 15 minutes |
| Pressure required for detection (121 °C) | 1.2 bar |
| Detection temperature | 134 °C |
| Time required for detection (134 °C) | 3.5 minutes |
| Pressure required for detection (134 °C) | 2.1 bar |
| Storage temperature | 15–30 °C |
| Storage relative humidity | 30–70% |
| Sterility | Non-sterile |
| Material | Metal-free |
Applications
- Daily routine testing of pre-vacuum steam sterilizers (autoclaves), performed before the start of the working day with an empty chamber
- Verification of steam penetration and air removal efficiency as part of a facility's sterilization quality control protocol
- Complementary use alongside Biological Indicators (for biological monitoring) and Helix Indicators (for hollow/perforated instrument load penetration testing)