Preparing your lab for a potential shutdown - Dealing with operating impacts from the COVID-19 Coronavirus - GC and GC/MS

Importance of the Topic

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, laboratories face extended shutdowns that risk instrument stability, sample integrity, and continuity of analytical operations. Properly preparing systems for idle periods safeguards equipment, conserves resources, and enables a rapid return to productivity.

Objectives and Overview of the Guidance

This guidance compiles practical protocols for safely shutting down, maintaining, and restarting key analytical platforms—including HPLC/LC-MS, GC/GC-MS, and ICP-based techniques—while also addressing general lab preparedness, remote‐working strategies, and supply chain considerations.

Methodology and Instrumentation Used

Instrumentation Used:

• High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and LC-MS systems
• Gas chromatography (GC) and GC-MS (single quadrupole, MS/MS, Q-ToF)
• Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ICP-MS

General Approach:

• Comprehensive documentation of shutdown tasks to ensure traceability.
• Inventory review of chemicals, consumables, gases, and vacuum systems against anticipated downtime.
• Facility and electrical checks to determine power‐down requirements.
• Remote access enablement for data review, training, and vendor support.
• Proactive supply ordering to accommodate delayed vendor operations and on‐site closures.

Instrument‐Specific Procedures:

• GC/GC-MS idle: maintain carrier flow at 0.5–0.8 mL/min, activate "gas saver" mode, set oven to 50 °C, inlets/detectors at 100 °C, and preserve vacuum or nitrogen backfill.
• Mass spectrometers (single quad, MS/MS, Q-ToF): keep source and quadrupoles at ~100 °C under vacuum, secure manifold doors, reduce collision gas flows, and optionally cap transfer lines during long‐term storage.
• Start-up routines: verify gas pressures, leak checks, gradual temperature ramping, and stabilization periods (2+ hours) prior to data acquisition.

Main Recommendations and Discussion

Maintaining elevated temperatures during downtime prevents moisture condensation and preserves column stationary phases. Reducing inert gas usage—via "gas saver" modes or nitrogen substitution—helps manage supply constraints. Preconfigured standby methods simplify transitions between idle and operational states, minimizing risk of user error.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Adhering to these shutdown and startup protocols delivers:

• Extended instrument lifespan with fewer component failures.
• Reduced waste of gases, solvents, and columns.
• Faster system commissioning when returning to full operation.
• Improved compliance with SOPs and regulatory requirements.

Future Trends and Possibilities

Laboratories will increasingly leverage remote monitoring tools, cloud‐based data analysis, and smart instrument alerts to manage downtime dynamically. Automated standby scripts, digital checklists, and virtual training modules will further enhance lab resilience in the face of unexpected closures.

Conclusion

Structured, vendor‐recommended shutdown and restart workflows are essential to maintain analytical readiness during extended lab closures. By combining meticulous planning, dedicated standby methods, and digital support solutions, organizations can protect their operations, assets, and data integrity.