Dear sir can i know the Supporting Guide lines to the above Topic of Reduction of Frequency of HVAC when there is no activity .
I do not think there are guidelines supporting this concept , I have searched extensively and did not find one.
Please refer following paragraph form current WHO guidelines about shutting off of HVAC systems,
WHO Annex 2, Guidelines on heating,ventilationandair-conditioning systems for non-sterile pharmaceutical products (Part2: Interpretation of Guidelines on heating,ventilationand
air-conditioning systems for non-sterile pharmaceutical products) -TRS 1019 of 2019
Sub section 5.4 -Switching off air-handling units (Section 5. Design of HVAC systems and components)
It is recommended that the HVAC system be operational on an ongoing basis.
Where a manufacturer decides to use energy-saving modes or switch some
selected AHUs off at specified intervals, such as overnight, at weekends or for
extended periods of time, care should be taken to ensure that materials and
products are not affected. In such cases, the decision, procedures and records
should be sufficiently documented and should include risk assessment,standard
operating procedures, records and validation. This includes procedures and
records for the start-up and shut-down sequence of AHUs.
1 Like
This WHO paragraph did not separate between switching off AHU & using energy saving mode so the above topic is not supported since the above topic recommends energy saving mode and recommends against switching off AHU and requires performing regular qualification of energy saving mode , all of this is not mentioned in any guideline
However, in the WHO guideline which I had referred, it is also specified about "swiching some selected AHUs off at specified intervals, such as overnight, at week ends or for extended periods of time…Moreover the title of this sub section 5.4 is -Switching off air-handling units " which clearly indicates that HVACs can be swiched off under following conditions.
In fact this WHO guideline has clearly specified two options for HVAC functioning apart from normal on-going functioning,
- Energy-saving modes OR
- Switch some selected AHUs off at specified intervals, such as overnight, at weekends or for
extended periods of time.
In any case it is very important to carry out Risk assessment, write SOPs, keep procedures and records for start up and shut down sequence of AHUs and perform validation before taking decision of swiching off of HVACs.
Reference: Annex 2, Guidelines on heating,ventilationandair-conditioning systems for non-sterile pharmaceutical products (Part2: Interpretation of Guidelines on heating,ventilationand
air-conditioning systems for non-sterile pharmaceutical products) -TRS 1019 of 2019.