Colifast ALARM automatically collects a 100 mL water sample. Water sample is mixed with Colifast medium and incubated within the instrument. Colifast ALARM the measures fluorescence activity of the water sample. After 6 hours, the first reading will appear for the customer as an early warning, and after 15 hours the full analysis is completed. In case of no bacteria detected; If no bacteria is detected, i.e., no change in fluorescence, the Colifast ALARM will begin the next analysis after a thorough wash program. In case of viable bacteria detected; Colifast ALARM will send out an alarm to the customer. This means a change in fluorescence above a certain threshold is measured, i.e., viable coliform bacteria is detected within the water sample.

In case of bacterial alarm, Colifast ALARM will always send a notification to the operator. This will happen as soon as the florescent signal is measured above the set threshold (between 6-15 hours). After the bacterial alarm, the Colifast ALARM is programmed undergo a thorough wash to prevent contamination in the next analysis. Each time a water sample is collected, the Colifast ALARM has the ability to send out a reference sample for the operator to collect and analyse in the laboratory if wanted.

The Colifast ALARM has the ability to run for 21 days without human interaction. Explanation: The Colifast ALARM uses pre-filled Colifast growth medium bottles for the analysis. Each bottle contain ~1050 mL of liquid media and one analysis uses ~50 mL of media to mix with the water sample. Therefore, after 21 days, the operator must place in a new media bottle and press "start" for a new analysis cycle to start.

The detection limit of Colifast ALARM is as low as 1 cfu/100 mL Explanation: The Colifast ALARM uses growth based methods that allow for a low detection rate. The Colifast ALARM is therefore capable of detecting as low as 1 cfu (colony forming unit) in a 100 mL water sample.

Colifast ALARM can run both a Presence/Absence (P/A) method and a Time To Detect (TTD) method. Explanation: Based on the customers need, the Colifast ALARM can run both a P/A and TTD method: Presence/Absence (P/A) method: The P/A method provides a qualitative result, indicating whether bacteria (e.g., E. coli) are present or absent in a 100 mL water sample. This is typically used for compliance monitoring where the requirement is a simple “yes” or “no” result for contamination. Time To Detect (TTD) method: The TTD method provides a semi-quantitative result based on how quickly bacterial growth is detected. The shorter the time to detection, the higher the initial concentration of target bacteria in the sample. This method allows for trending and early warning applications where changes in contamination levels over time are important. This method needs a local calibration to set the threshold for bacterial growth.

The Colifast ALARM system requires minimal maintenance from the customer. Explanation: As a fully automated system, Colifast ALARM operates independently in daily use and does not require regular maintenance from the user. However, Colifast recommends a service after one year of operation. This service can either be carried out by a Colifast technician or, alternatively, you can receive training from us to perform the service yourself.