Which temperature activates the heat-sensitive tape used to monitor cage wash cycles?

• A. 72 ± 1 °C
• B. 82 ± 1 °C
• C. 92 ± 1 °C
• D. 102 ± 1 °C

Answer: (B)

Heat-sensitive tape on cage-wash cycles is used to visually confirm that the sanitizing step reached its required temperature. It is calibrated to activate at about 82°C, with a tolerance of ±1°C, so when the wash water or surface hits roughly 81–83°C the tape changes color. This provides a straightforward QA check that the cycle achieved the hot-water sanitizing temperature needed to reduce microbial load. The other temperatures are outside the validated setting for this tape, either too low to ensure proper sanitization or too high for standard cage-wash systems, which is why they aren’t used as the activation point.