A Risk Assessment Approach: Qualification of a HVAC System in Aseptic Processing Area Using Building Management System

In the pharmaceutical industry qualification of HVAC systems is done by using a risk based approach. Failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) concepts were used for risk assessment of a HVAC system to determine the scope and extent of qualification and validation in this present work. The HVAC is the “direct impact” system in the aseptic practice which directly affects the product quality and regulatory compliance. The level of risk associated with the HVAC system was assessed based on the impact and severity of the probable risk in aseptic practice in sterile manufacturing. On completion of the risk assessment, control and measures developed and recommended actions for unacceptable risk were identified for improved cGMP compliance and qualification of the system upgrades. After completion of the risk assessment the recommended actions were extended and verified against the qualification stages of the HVAC system. Finally, the HVAC system was subjected to a performance qualification (PQ) study. All of the tests were performed and a report was generated. On evaluation of the data collected during PQ, it was found that the HVAC system met all the specified design criteria and complied with the entire cGMP requirement. Hence the system stands validated for PQ. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.