Hi all, …looking for your help on troubleshooting of a scenario below please.
Engineering report that they have had to replace two HVAC filters (one in the Grade D gowning area, one in the Grade B transfer airlock) as they were blocked. What are your concerns, what impact could this have on the rest of the system, what additional information could you consider in your assessment?
The replacement of two HVAC filters in a Grade D gowning area and a Grade B transfer airlock due to blockage raises concerns about the performance of the HVAC system and the potential impact on product quality and safety. Here are some potential concerns and additional information to consider in your assessment:
Cause of blockage: The cause of the filter blockage needs to be determined to prevent it from happening again. Was it due to inadequate maintenance or a sudden increase in particulate load in the air? This information could be gathered from the maintenance logs, environmental monitoring data, and/or interviews with the maintenance team.
Impact on air quality: A blocked filter can compromise the air quality in the area served by the HVAC system, which can affect the quality and safety of the products being manufactured. It is important to assess the extent of the impact and take corrective actions to restore the air quality. This could involve conducting additional environmental monitoring, evaluating the potential risk to products, and implementing appropriate corrective actions such as retesting or repeating the manufacturing process.
Contamination risks: If the filter blockage resulted in higher levels of particulate matter or other contaminants in the air, there could be potential risks of product contamination. It is important to assess the potential risks and take appropriate corrective actions to prevent contamination. This could involve evaluating the potential impact on product quality, conducting additional environmental monitoring, and implementing appropriate corrective actions such as retesting or recalling products.
Impact on HVAC system performance: A blocked filter can reduce the airflow and increase the pressure drop across the filter. This can cause the HVAC system to work harder, leading to potential equipment failures, increased energy consumption, and reduced system capacity. It is important to assess the impact on the HVAC system and take appropriate corrective actions such as adjusting the fan speed, replacing other filters, or repairing any damaged equipment.
Root cause analysis: It is important to perform a root cause analysis to determine the underlying causes of the filter blockage and take corrective actions to prevent it from happening again. This could involve evaluating the maintenance procedures, reviewing the environmental monitoring program, assessing the effectiveness of the current filters, or considering upgrades to the HVAC system.
