Also called: EN 13060, Class B, Class N, Class S
Class B Autoclave vs Class N and Class S
The EN 13060 classes decide which loads your autoclave can legitimately sterilise. Here is what each class covers and how to tell them apart.
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EN 13060 at a glance
EN 13060 is the European standard for small steam sterilisers — chambers of up to 60 litres. Most tabletop autoclaves sold in Malaysia are declared against it.
| Class | Air removal | Proven for | Not proven for |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Fractionated pre-vacuum | Wrapped, porous, hollow (lumen) and solid loads | — |
| S | Varies by maker | Only the loads the manufacturer lists | Anything not listed |
| N | Passive (steam displacement) | Unwrapped solid instruments | Wrapped, porous or hollow loads |
Who needs Class B
- Dental clinics — handpieces and suction tips are hollow.
- Any clinic that stores instruments in pouches or wraps.
- Day-surgery, aesthetic and minor-surgery practices using cannulae or lumens.
- Practices whose infection-control policy requires documented air-removal tests.
Checks to ask for
- The model’s declaration of conformity to EN 13060 and its class.
- Built-in Bowie-Dick or helix test and vacuum leak test programmes.
- Cycle printout or data logging.
- MDA registration number for the Malaysian market.
Related guides
Dental Autoclave for Malaysian Dental ClinicsWhy dental clinics need a Class B autoclave, how to size it by chairs and patients, and the daily routine that keeps handpieces safe.Autoclave Price in Malaysia: What Drives the CostWe do not publish a price list, because the right number depends on your configuration. Here is everything that moves the price, so you can compare quotes fairly.Autoclave Testing: Bowie-Dick, Indicators and ValidationThe daily, weekly and yearly checks that prove your autoclave is sterilising — and what autoclave tape and pouches can and cannot tell you.
Autoclave supply near you
Delivery, installation and training across Malaysia from Batu Caves, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
Frequently asked questions
Is Class B always better than Class N?
For wrapped or hollow loads, yes — only Class B is proven for them. For unwrapped solid instruments used straight away, a Class N unit can be adequate and costs less.
How do I know an autoclave is really Class B?
Ask for the manufacturer’s EN 13060 declaration and look for a fractionated vacuum cycle, a vacuum pump and built-in Bowie-Dick or helix tests.
Does Class B take longer?
Usually a little, because of the vacuum pulses and vacuum drying, but loads come out dry and ready to store.
Get a written quotation
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