HVAC System Validation Tests

To validate the HVAC system and details of tests:

1. Air Flow Pattern,
2. Air Flow Velocity & Change Per Hour,
3. Filter Leak Test,
4. Particles Count,
5. Viable Monitoring,
6. Filter Integrity Test ( DOP/PAO Test),
7. Pressure Difference,
8. Recovery,
9. Temperature and Humidity Uniformity Test and
10. Fresh Air Determination
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning System (HVAC) Validation
Tests
1.0 Air Flow Pattern
1.1 Take the titanium tetra chloride stick.
1.2 Burn the stick.
1.3 Place the burning stick in front of running Air Handling Unit (AHU).
1.4 Observed the flow of air with the help of smock distribution in the room.
1.5 Make chart diagram of flow of air in the room for each room.
2.0 Air Flow Velocity and Change Per Hour
2.1 Scan the area of the HEPA Filter, with the anemometer probe, 6 inches from the filter face.
2.2 For case of experiment, divide the area of the HEPA Filter into four equal, hypothetical grids.
2.3 Record the velocity readings taken at the center of the grids, and at the junction of dividing
lines (center of HEPA Filter) in 5.5.
2.4 Calculate the Average Velocity (V in feet per minute) as:
V = (V1+V2+V3+V4)
(Eq.1)
4
Vi = Velocity observation at each point
2.5 Measure the dimensions of each air inlet i.e. HEPA Filter, in feet and record it.
2.6 Calculate the Area (A in square feet) of each Air inlet as product of the length and the width
as :
A= l x w
(Eq.2)
where l = length of inlet
w = width of inlet
2.7 Calculate the Total Air Volume (T in cubic feet per minute) supplied in each zone, by using
the formula :

T = Ax V
(Eq.3)
where A = Area of particular Air inlet in square feet
V = Average air velocity at particular air inlet in feet per minute
2.8 Calculate the total volume of the room by multiplying length of room, breath of room and
height of the room.
Volume = L x B x H
2.9 Total air change is divided by total volume of the room will give the air change per hour. Fill
the record in the form.
3.0 Filter Leak Test
3.1 Place the velometer at the front of AHU unit.
3.2 Check the velocity of air to the all corner of the AHU. The air velocity should be within the
higher limit of HEPA filter.
3.3 If there is air velocity is more than higher limit change the gas cut to prevent the air leakage.
4.0 Particles Count
4.1 On the air system before one hour of test operation. Take the suitable particle counter and
operate it to check the particles in the room at non-working operation.
4.2 Collect the information from particle counter and fill them in the format.
4.3 Operate the particle counter when work is on progress in the area. The particles should be
count when more than one hour work has been progressed in the area. Record the data in the
format.
4.4 Operate the particle counter for all the room maintaining grade A, grade B, grade C & grade
D.
5.0 Viable Monitoring
5.1 Expose Plate Count Agar and Saboraud Dextrose Agar media plates in sterile manufacturing
area (Fabrication, Vial Filling, Vial Sealing & Sterile passage) as per location plan given on the
back of paper sheet. Similarly expose the plates in Change Room II and III and Degowning I
twice in a week and once in a week in Vial Washing, Bung Washing and Component Preparation.
5.2 Monitor the microbial load on the surface of the sterile manufacturing area by swab sampling
and testing follow the SOP. Carry out swab sampling daily in Vial Filling, Vial Sealing, Sterile
Buffer and Blending III; and twice in a week in Sterile Passage, Change Room II, Change Room
III and Degowning I. Similarly carry out the swab sampling once in a week in Change Room I,
Degowning II, Vial Washing, Bung Washing and component preparation. Record the results.
5.3 Place the media strips or petridishs in the air sampler on operate the air sampler as per
standard operating procedure of the equipment.
5.4 Record the data in the format.
5.5 Monitor the microbial load on surface of hand gloves of the operators daily once in each
working shift at random during activity follow the SOP and record the result. Record the data in
the format.
5.6 In case of repeated failure during two observations the corrective action shall immediately be
planned and implemented.

5.7 Monitor the critical functions of HVAC system, Water System and personnel's behavior in
sterile and investigate cause of adverse results immediately after observation.
6.0 Filter Integrity Test ( DOP/PAO Test)
6.1 Generate DOP or PAO Aerosol using Aerosol generator, by subjecting DOP/PAO to 20 psi air
pressure. Direct test aerosol at the supply duct in the Air Handling System.
6.2 Switch the photometer "ON" and allow to stabilize for five minutes.
6.3 Ensure that 100 % upstream concentration is achieved at all the terminal HEPA filters.
6.4 Scan the filter matrix and perimeter by passing the receptor probe 1 inch from the filter
surface, in overlapping strokes traversing at approximately 10 fpm to check for leaks, if any.
6.5 Test all the HEPA filters as per the above steps and record the observations in the format.
7.0 Pressure Difference
7.1 Attach all concerning room (Under Test) to the manometer which are attached the wall of
adjacent area.
7.2 On the air system in side tested area and wait to stabilize the pressure in the area.
7.3 Observed the pressure difference from all room and from room to room.
7.4 Record the data in the format.
8.0 Recovery (Temperature & Humidity)
8.1 Off the HVAC system and checked the humidity of the area using hygrometer.
8.2 If humidity of the area within in specification. Increase the humidity by spraying hot water in
the area up to 75%.
8.3 Wait to stabilize the humidity in the area about 75%.
8.4 Operate the HVAC system and note the time. Wait to stabilize the humidity in the area within
the specification limit.
8.5 Note and record the time in the format.
8.6 For the recovery test increase the temperature of the area by using hot air blower in the area
and increase the temperature 40C.
8.7 Operate the HVAC system and note the time. Wait to stabilize the temperature in the area
within the specification limit.
8.8 Note and record the time in the format.
9.0 Temperature and Humidity Uniformity Test
9.1 Place the calibrated thermometer on the different location.
9.2 Operate the HVAC system and note the time. Wait to stabilize the
temperature in the area within the specification limit.
9.3 Check and record the temperature of the area in format.
9.4 Place the calibrated hygrometer on the different location.
9.5 Operate the HVAC system and note the time. Wait to stabilize the
humidity in the area within the specification limit.
9.6 Check and record the temperature of the area in format.

10.0 Fresh Air Determination

10.1 On the concerned AHU and wait to stabiles the air pressure in room.
10.2 On the fresh air dumper for fresh air and observed and calculate the intake air by the
dumper in the room. Observed and calculate the total air change in the room.
10.3 The intake fresh air is divided by the total air change in the room and multiply by 100 to
calculate the % fresh air intake on each cycle by the HVAC system in the tested room.
10.4 Record the data in the performance format record.