SKC QT30 / QuickTake 30 Six-Stage Andersen Impaction Air Microbial Sampler

Overview

The SKC QT30 / QuickTake 30 is a portable, six-stage Andersen impaction air microbial sampler engineered for quantitative collection and size-resolved analysis of viable airborne microorganisms. Based on the well-established inertial impaction principle, the device draws ambient air through a cascade of precision-machined stainless-steel sieve plates—each with progressively smaller orifice diameters—to separate particles by aerodynamic diameter across six discrete size fractions (typically ranging from >7.0 µm down to <0.65 µm). This enables stratified deposition of culturable bacteria, fungi, and yeasts onto standard 90 mm agar plates, supporting subsequent colony enumeration and identification per ISO 14698-1, ISO 14698-2, and USP . Designed for field-deployable operation in diverse environmental and occupational health settings, the QT30 integrates robust mechanical architecture with low-power electronics and battery autonomy—making it suitable for HVAC duct sampling, hospital isolation room monitoring, food processing facility validation, and Legionella risk assessment when paired with liquid impingement modules.

Key Features

• Six-stage Andersen-style impactor head with calibrated jet orifices ensuring ≥98% particle collection efficiency per stage, validated against NIST-traceable aerosol standards
• Integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery providing up to 5 hours of continuous operation at 28.3 L/min; also compatible with universal AC/DC adapter for extended stationary use
• Digitally programmable sampling timer (0–999 minutes) with audible end-of-run alert and non-volatile memory for session logging
• Low-noise pump design (<60 dB[A] at 1 m), enabling unobtrusive deployment in occupied clinical or office environments
• Compact footprint (23.6 × 21.3 × 8.9 cm) and lightweight chassis (2.2 kg) optimized for handheld or tripod-mounted operation
• Built-in mounting interface for seamless integration with SKC’s BYKT-H manual elevating platform (3 m max lift height) and multi-unit tray configurations

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The QT30 accepts industry-standard 90 mm Petri dishes filled with selective or non-selective growth media (e.g., TSA, Sabouraud dextrose agar, BCYE-alpha for Legionella). Its six-stage cascade allows differential recovery of respirable vs. thoracic vs. inspirable fractions—critical for exposure assessment aligned with ACGIH TLV® and OSHA respiratory protection guidelines. When coupled with the optional liquid impingement module (e.g., BioStage or AGI-30), the system supports cultivation-based detection of fastidious organisms such as Legionella pneumophila, fulfilling requirements outlined in ASHRAE Standard 188 and CDC/NIOSH recommendations for building water system surveillance. All components comply with RoHS directives and meet IEC 61000-4 electromagnetic compatibility standards. The included SKC 4046 digital flow calibrator provides real-time, NIST-traceable volumetric flow verification per ISO 8573-1 Annex B and ASTM D1357.

Software & Data Management

While the QT30 operates as a standalone hardware platform without embedded firmware or cloud connectivity, its operational parameters—including start time, duration, and flow rate—are fully documentable via external calibration logs and manual entry into laboratory information management systems (LIMS). The SKC 4046 flow calibrator outputs serial data (RS-232) compatible with third-party data acquisition software for automated flow traceability. For GLP/GMP-regulated environments, users may implement audit-trail-compliant procedures using SKC’s validated calibration SOPs and maintain full calibration records—including date, technician ID, reference standard certificate number, and deviation values—in accordance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when paired with secure electronic record systems.

Applications

• Indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments in healthcare facilities, schools, and office buildings per EPA IAQ Tools for Schools and WHO indoor air guidelines
• HVAC system validation and routine monitoring under ISO 14644-1 cleanroom classifications and EU GMP Annex 1
• Legionella environmental sampling in cooling towers, potable water systems, and decorative fountains per NYSDOH and UK HSE guidance
• Occupational hygiene surveys in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology labs, and agricultural processing plants
• Research applications in aerobiology, spore dispersal modeling, and antifungal efficacy testing
• Public health response during outbreak investigations requiring rapid, field-ready bioaerosol characterization

FAQ

What microbiological standards does the QT30 support?
The QT30 is routinely used to meet ISO 14698-1 (biocontamination control), ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom classification), and ASHRAE 188 (Legionella water safety) requirements when deployed with appropriate media and incubation protocols.
Can the QT30 be used for non-viable particle counting?
No—the QT30 is exclusively designed for viable microorganism collection via impaction onto culture media; non-viable particulate measurement requires optical particle counters (OPCs) or condensation particle counters (CPCs).
Is the 4046 flow calibrator required for regulatory compliance?
Yes—regulatory frameworks including EU Annex 1, USP , and ISO 14698 mandate documented, traceable flow verification prior to and after each sampling event; the 4046 satisfies this requirement with ±2% accuracy and NIST-traceable certification.
How is the QT30 decontaminated between samples?
All stainless-steel impactor stages and removable parts are autoclavable (121°C, 15 psi, 20 min); the pump housing and electronics are wiped with 70% ethanol or approved sporicidal agents—per SKC’s validated cleaning SOPs.
Does SKC provide method validation documentation?
SKC supplies application notes, calibration certificates, and technical bulletins aligned with ASTM D1357 and ISO 8573-1; full method validation (e.g., recovery efficiency, LOD/LOQ studies) must be performed in-house per ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.