Lab Analyses

Which laboratory analyses services do you offer?
We offer a variety of laboratory analyses services to support our clients in diagnosing and mitigating microbial and corrosion problems, including MIC.  These services include chemical testing, materials analyses, microbiological and microscopic testing, and viable culture testing.  For details on these services, visit the Lab Analyses section of our website.


What information needs to be provided when sending samples to your laboratory for analysis?
When sending samples to BTI Products, please include the following information:

1. Sample name or site designation
2. Date sample was collected
3. Date sample was shipped
4. Type of sample
5. Company name
6. Contact name
7. Contact’s telephone and fax number
8. Contact’s e-mail address
9. Purchase Order # or Credit Card # along with expiration date, name on card, and 3 digit v-code (only MasterCard or Visa accepted)
10. Company address
11. Type of analyses to be performed on sample
12. Any other information you think is pertinent (e.g., location from which the sample was taken, whether or not the system is being treated, types of problems the system has experienced or is currently experiencing)

If you are sending completed MICkit® or MIPkit™ test kits for analysis, please fill out and return the Analytical Requests Sheet included in the instructions provided with your test kit.  You can find pdf versions of all our instructions by visiting the Product Instructions section of our website.


How should samples be packaged when sending them to your laboratory for analysis?
If sending test kits, place the media tray in the original kit box.  To prevent the media bottles from dislodging and breaking during transit, place the white accessory kit box on top.  Tape up the box.  You may also use tightly balled-up paper or bubble wrap if you do not have the accessory kit box.

If sending raw liquid or slurry samples, collect the sample in a sterile plastic screw-top container (such as a centrifuge tube).  Use a container that is at least 50 milliliters (ml) in volume.  When collecting the sample, make sure to fill the collection container to overflowing so that no air remains in the container.  Ensure the cap is screwed on tightly to prevent leakage during transit.  Taping the cap with electricians tape and placing the container in a ziploc plastic bag is also helpful.  Package the container in a shipping box, and use packing materials to ensure the sample container is well-cushioned and will not be crushed or broken during transit.

If sending solid samples, collect the sample in a sterile plastic screw-top container (such as a centrifuge tube).  Use a container that is at least 50 milliliters (ml) in volume.  When collecting the sample, fill the collection container with as much solid sample as possible.  Ensure the cap is screwed on tightly to prevent opening during transit.  Taping the cap with electricians tape and placing the container in a ziploc plastic bag is also helpful.  Package the container in a shipping box, and use packing materials to ensure the sample container is well-cushioned and will not be crushed or broken during transit.

If sending pipes, coupons, or other materials for materials analyses, package the sample such that deposits and corrosion sites (if any) will be preserved during transit.  For larger pipes, this usually means taping plastic bags or duct tape over the ends.  For smaller pipes, coupons, gaskets, etc., this may entail placing these items in ziploc plastic bags or screw-top plastic containers.  Marking on the sample the orientation of the sample as it was in the system (e.g., top/bottom, if applicable) is also helpful.  Package the sample in a shipping box, and use packing materials to ensure the sample is well-cushioned and will not be crushed or broken during transit.

If sending pipes, coupons, or other materials for viable bacteria testing or microscopic analyses, follow the instructions in the paragraph above, but take extra precautions to ensure the sample is kept as free from outside contamination as possible (i.e., use only sterile containers to package or wrap the sample and avoid contaminating the samples by touching with unsterile objects or hands).


How should samples be shipped?
If sending samples for viable bacteria, chemical, and/or microscopic analyses, it is preferable that you ship your sample by overnight delivery to ensure the least change in microbial and chemical parameters prior to testing.

Any samples requiring analyses other than viable bacteria, chemical, or microscopic can be shipped using the delivery method of your choice.  Please take into consideration that we process and analyze samples in the order in which they are received.  Therefore, if you are requiring a faster turnaround on your sample analyses, you may want to ship your sample using a faster delivery service.


We sent samples to your laboratory for analysis.  How long will it be before we receive a report?
All samples are analyzed in the order in which they are received by BTI Products.  Therefore, the turnaround time for analysis of your samples depends, in part, on the number of samples in the cue before yours. 

If you have sent test kits for analysis and to receive a MICkit® or MIPkit™ Test Kit Report, we will issue the report 15 days from the date of kit inoculation in order to allow the media to incubate for the proper length of time.

If you have sent samples for viable analysis, samples will be inoculated into our test kits upon receipt and then will be allowed to incubate for 15 days.  Reports on viable analysis are issued 15 days from the date of kit inoculation in order to allow the media to incubate for the proper length of time.

If you have sent samples for microscopic analyses, samples will be processed and reports issued in the order in which they are received.  Turnaround time for microscopic analyses results is usually 7 to 14 business days from the date of sample receipt.

If you have sent samples for materials analyses, these will be processed and analyzed in the order in which they are received.  Turnaround time for materials analyses reports is usually 14 business days from the date of sample receipt.