Maintenance
Do I need to have my autoclave serviced?
Service intervals, flat-rate prices and the maintenance contract — how to keep your device reliable and predictable.
Germany Austria Switzerland
Short answer
Yes — every 24 months (or at 1000 cycles). On-site maintenance is charged at a flat rate including travel; with a maintenance contract everything stays predictable and on schedule.
Maintenance: intervals & costs
I am in Austria / Germany. Do I need to have my autoclave serviced?
For the installation, maintenance or repair of the autoclave we have our own service staff and trained service partners nationwide (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) at numerous locations – guaranteed also in your vicinity. For this reason we can offer a flat-rate price for the maintenance, including travel. The flat-rate price is 699.00 euros, plus spare parts.Alternatively, we also offer you a flat-rate price for ex-works maintenance, which is just 440.00 euros plus spare parts and includes pickup and delivery (kerbside) of the device. An autoclave must be serviced every 24 months. Once 1000 cycles are reached, earlier maintenance is necessary.
Tip: Take out a maintenance contract with us. We take care of ensuring that your autoclave is always serviced on time. If you take out both contracts with us (maintenance contract and validation contract), we can make sure that the revalidation is carried out no later than 3 months after the last maintenance. This way your autoclave is always ready for use.
I am in Switzerland. Do I need to have my autoclave serviced?
For the installation, maintenance or repair of the autoclave we have our own service staff and trained service partners nationwide (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) at numerous locations – guaranteed also in your vicinity. For this reason we can offer a flat-rate price for the maintenance, including travel. The flat-rate price is 999.00 euros, plus spare parts.Alternatively, we also offer you a flat-rate price for ex-works maintenance, which is just 590.00 euros plus spare parts and includes pickup and delivery (kerbside) of the device. An autoclave must be serviced every 24 months. Once 1000 cycles are reached, earlier maintenance is necessary.
Tip: Take out a maintenance contract with us. We take care of ensuring that your autoclave is always serviced on time. If you take out both contracts with us (maintenance contract and validation contract), we can make sure that the revalidation is carried out no later than 3 months after the last maintenance. This way your autoclave is always ready for use.
You don't have to manage this alone
The most common concerns of our customers — and how we solve them.
„Unpredictable mandatory costs?“
Transparent flat-rate prices incl. travel — no hidden costs.
„Forgot the appointment?“
With a maintenance and validation contract we remind and coordinate everything for you.
Never out of action again.
On-site instead of sending it in for weeks — our own technicians near you, loan device in an emergency.
4.9 out of 5 on Google Class B medical device · EN 13060 · TÜV SÜD 39 locations + 150 partners DACH Family business since 1957
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Frequently Asked Questions
Maintenance info – key questions answered clearly.
Do I really need to have my autoclave serviced?
Yes. A Class B autoclave must be serviced regularly so that sterilization performance and safety remain permanently ensured. Maintenance is required every 24 months, but earlier as soon as 1,000 sterilization cycles have been reached.
At what interval must the autoclave be serviced?
Maintenance is due every 24 months, but earlier as soon as 1,000 sterilization cycles have been reached – whichever comes first. This applies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland regardless of actual usage.
Is maintenance also required after 2 years even with low usage?
Yes. Maintenance is due every 24 months, regardless of the actual number of cycles. Only with very heavy usage (reaching 1,000 cycles) does it become due sooner.
How many cycles does an autoclave run before maintenance is needed?
Maintenance is due after no more than 1,000 sterilization cycles or 24 months – whichever comes first.
What does on-site maintenance cost?
On-site maintenance costs a flat rate of €699.00 in Germany and Austria, incl. travel, plus spare parts. In Switzerland the flat-rate price is €999.00 incl. travel, plus spare parts.
What does ex-works maintenance cost?
Ex-works maintenance costs €440.00 net in Germany and Austria, and €590.00 net in Switzerland, in each case plus spare parts. Pickup and kerbside delivery are included in the price.
Which is cheaper – on-site maintenance or ex-works?
Ex-works maintenance is cheaper at the flat rate, since the device is sent to us or picked up. On-site maintenance is more convenient, because our technicians come to you and no transport is necessary. We are happy to clarify which option suits you best during a consultation.
Are travel or transport costs included in the maintenance?
Yes, with on-site maintenance travel is included – no transport of the device is necessary. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland travel is free of charge.
What is a maintenance contract and what does it include?
A maintenance contract secures the prescribed servicing (every 24 months or 1,000 cycles). We remind you in good time, arrange the appointment and take care of the execution, spare parts and report; the contract itself is free of charge.
What does a maintenance contract cost?
The maintenance contract itself is free of charge – only the actual maintenance fees apply (on site €699 incl. travel plus spare parts, or €440 net ex works; correspondingly higher in Switzerland).
What is the advantage of a maintenance contract over individual appointments?
With a maintenance contract everything stays predictable: we remind you in good time of the due appointment, coordinate it and take care of the execution, spare parts and report. That way you never forget an appointment and your autoclave stays ready for use.
Does a maintenance contract extend the warranty?
Yes, a maintenance contract can extend the warranty to up to 3 years, since the device is serviced on schedule. We are happy to tell you the details of the warranty extension during a consultation.
When and how do I take out a maintenance contract?
You can take out the contract at any time after purchase – you do not have to conclude it immediately at the time of purchase, but can wait until maintenance is due. Combining maintenance and revalidation on a single day is more cost-effective.
How does concluding a maintenance contract work formally?
With the order confirmation you receive the contract documents, fill them out and send them back; we return them countersigned. After two years we contact you for the maintenance then due.
Is the maintenance contract independent of validation?
Yes, maintenance and validation are separate services and can be booked individually. However, it is sensible and cheaper to have both carried out as a package on a single appointment.
Who carries out maintenance and repair of the autoclave?
Maintenance and repair are carried out by our own trained service technicians or authorized service partners – either on site at your premises or ex works.
Does someone come to me on site for the maintenance?
Yes. We have our own service staff and trained service partners at numerous locations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – guaranteed also in your vicinity. That is why we can offer a flat-rate price for maintenance including travel.
Who handles service and maintenance in Switzerland?
Yes, we also have trained technicians and service partners in Switzerland who come on site for installation, validation, maintenance and repair. Travel is free of charge.
How dense is the service network in the DACH region?
We have a dense on-site network of our own service staff and trained service partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. So a service technician is usually available near you as well.
How or where can I book a maintenance service?
You can book the maintenance directly online or send your contact details to our support team; we will then prepare a non-binding quote and arrange an appointment – either on site or ex works.
How much time do I need to allow for the maintenance?
On-site maintenance is usually completed in a single appointment. With ex-works maintenance the device is picked up and delivered back after a few working days.
Is a loan device available during maintenance?
Yes, we provide a limited number of loan devices, primarily in the event of repair and with ex-works maintenance, so that your work is not interrupted. The loan device is supplied with the necessary accessories.
What is done during a maintenance service?
During maintenance our technicians thoroughly inspect the device and replace all critical wear parts on schedule, so that sterilization performance and safety continue to be reliably ensured. Afterwards your autoclave is fully ready for use again.
Why is regular maintenance important for process safety?
Proper reprocessing includes not only sterilization but also periodic checks, maintenance and, if necessary, calibration of the devices used. Only through regular maintenance does the sterilization performance remain reproducible and safe over the entire service life.
What happens if I do not have the maintenance carried out?
Without regular maintenance the risk of defects, performance losses and failures increases, and the prescribed process safety is no longer ensured. In addition, a lack of maintenance can jeopardize warranty and insurance cover – we therefore recommend keeping to the intervals.
Are maintenance and validation connected?
Yes, both are part of safe reprocessing, but are different services: maintenance preserves the device function, validation proves process safety. If you conclude both contracts, we make sure that the revalidation takes place no later than 3 months after the last maintenance.
At what interval must maintenance and validation take place?
Maintenance and revalidation are usually due every 2 years (or after 1,000 cycles). As a package on a single appointment they can be carried out together more cheaply and predictably.
Is it worth combining maintenance and revalidation in a single appointment?
Yes. Maintenance and revalidation on a single appointment are cheaper than separate appointments and reduce downtime. With a combined maintenance and validation contract we automatically coordinate both services for you.
Do you also handle the maintenance of the device purchased from you?
Yes, we handle the maintenance and validation of devices purchased from us – including installation and initial validation on site and, if desired, as part of a maintenance contract.
Do you also offer service and maintenance after the warranty period has expired?
Yes, we repair and service your device even after the warranty has expired – also without a maintenance contract. The usual service and spare parts costs then apply.
Can I carry out the maintenance myself?
You may carry out certain care tasks yourself according to the manual, but the professional maintenance involving replacement of wear parts should be performed by our trained technicians. Validation may not be carried out by yourself in principle.
Do you also service or repair devices from other manufacturers?
As a rule we can only service and repair our own Steri24 devices, since we lack the appropriate spare parts for third-party devices. However, we can validate many third-party devices; send us the model and manufacturer and we will assess the individual case.
Can you help with a defect on a third-party device?
Unfortunately we cannot repair third-party devices, as we lack spare parts and manufacturer approvals; please contact the manufacturer or an authorized partner. As an alternative we are happy to recommend a suitable new Steri24 device with warranty.
How do I report a defect or fault?
Please report the defect with a brief description and – if possible – photos via our service form. A technician will then contact you with a proposed solution or to arrange an appointment.
How does a repair work, do I have to send the device in?
Depending on the case, a technician comes to you on site or the device is sent in for repair – also without a maintenance contract and after the warranty has expired. We coordinate the exact procedure with you after your fault description.
How quickly do I get help in the event of a defect?
In the event of a defect, our technicians are usually on site within a few working days, depending on the location. For urgent cases there is a 24-hour emergency line, and in the event of repair we provide a loan device where possible.
What does the 24-hour emergency line offer?
Via the 24h emergency line you can reach us outside the usual business hours as well, if your autoclave fails. This way downtime can be bridged quickly and the next steps clarified promptly.
Do I get a replacement device if my autoclave fails?
Yes, in the event of repair we provide a loan device where possible, so that your work is not interrupted. A replacement/loan device is usually available within a few days.
Do I receive proof after the maintenance?
Yes, after the maintenance you receive a corresponding maintenance certificate. In combination with the revalidation, the report and certificate document that the device and reprocessing procedure continue to meet the requirements.
How long do your autoclaves last with regular maintenance?
With regular maintenance every 2 years our autoclaves achieve a very long service life. Compact devices with a smaller vacuum pump have a somewhat shorter service life; at every maintenance all critical parts are replaced on schedule.
How often does a large autoclave need to be serviced compared to smaller devices?
Very large or heavily used devices may require annual maintenance, while smaller devices are usually serviced every 2 years. The 1,000 cycles are also decisive – we will tell you the appropriate interval for your model.
Does the same maintenance interval apply to the 3-litre autoclave?
The 3-litre autoclave is also usually serviced every 2 years or after 1,000 cycles. The costs depend on the type of maintenance (on site or ex works); we are happy to provide exact prices on request.
Can I have my device calibrated during maintenance?
Yes, calibration is part of professional maintenance and is carried out by our service technicians. The service/calibration menu is reserved for technicians and should not be altered independently.
What can I do myself to care for my autoclave?
You can regularly clean the chamber and the door seal, keep the water tank clean and use only fresh distilled or treated water. This care complements regular professional maintenance but does not replace it.
Does water quality affect the maintenance requirement?
Yes. Contaminated or stagnant water can strain sensors and components and trigger error messages. With treated distilled water (e.g. via water treatment) you protect your device and reduce malfunctions.
What should I do when the poor water quality message appears?
This message appears when the water has stood in the tank too long or the filters of the water treatment are exhausted. Empty and clean the tank, fill in fresh distilled water and, if necessary, change the filters; if the message persists, please contact us via our service form.
What does an error during the vacuum test mean and is it a maintenance case?
An error during the vacuum test usually indicates that air is entering the chamber and that the contact pressure of the door seal needs to be increased or the seal replaced. A quick guide can be found on the inside of the door; if that does not help, a technician will take care of it as part of a maintenance or repair.
Does the maintenance obligation also apply in the veterinary field?
Maintenance serves the safe and reliable operation of the device and is also recommended in the veterinary field. The validation obligation, however, applies there only to a limited extent, since it is tied to the reprocessing of instruments used on humans.
How does your service differ from established expensive providers?
Untypical for the price class, we offer a large, fast on-site service network across the entire DACH region with free travel and transparent flat-rate prices. This gives you fast on-site service without the high follow-up costs of other providers.
How do I find out which maintenance and which contract suit me?
That depends on your device, the intensity of use and your location. Feel free to use our configurator or our consultation – we will tell you the appropriate interval, a transparent flat-rate price and whether a maintenance contract makes sense for you.