Installation Qualification
Installation Qualification (IQ) is a critical phase in the validation process, typically used in regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, and others. Its primary purpose is to ensure that equipment or systems have been installed correctly and are ready for further qualification activities, such as Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ).
Scope of Installation Qualification (IQ):
- Equipment Identification: List all the equipment to be qualified, including model numbers, serial numbers, and locations.
- Documentation Review: Ensure that all relevant documentation, such as manuals, schematics, and installation instructions, are available and up to date.
- Installation Environment: Verify that the equipment is installed in the appropriate environment, including temperature, humidity, and power requirements.
- Utilities: Ensure that necessary utilities like electrical, water, gases, and compressed air are correctly connected and available.
- Calibration and Testing: Confirm that the equipment is calibrated and tested as per manufacturer's recommendations and industry standards.
- Installation Check: Inspect the equipment's physical installation to ensure it complies with design specifications and safety regulations.
- Qualification of Ancillary Systems: If applicable, ensure that ancillary systems (e.g., HVAC, support equipment) required for the equipment to operate are also qualified.
- Installation Personnel Training: Verify that personnel involved in the installation have received adequate training and are qualified for their roles.
- Spare Parts and Consumables: Ensure that necessary spare parts and consumables are available and that a replenishment strategy is in place.
IQ Protocol Content:
The IQ protocol is a formal document that outlines
the procedures to be followed during the IQ process. Here's how to write an IQ protocol:
- Title and Approval: Start with a clear and descriptive title for the protocol. Include spaces for approval signatures from relevant personnel.
- Scope: Define the scope of the IQ, specifying the equipment or systems to be qualified and the boundaries of the study.
- Purpose: State the purpose of the IQ, which is to verify that the equipment is installed correctly and in accordance with design specifications.
- Responsibilities: List the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in the IQ, such as the project manager, installation team, and quality assurance personnel.
- Equipment Details: Provide detailed information about the equipment, including model numbers, serial numbers, and any relevant drawings or schematics.
- Documentation Review: Specify the documents that will be reviewed during the IQ, such as manuals, calibration certificates, and installation records.
- Installation Verification: Describe the steps and criteria for verifying that the equipment is correctly installed. This may include visual inspections, measurements, and functional checks.
- Utilities Verification: Outline the procedures for confirming that utilities required for the equipment's operation are available and properly connected.
- Calibration and Testing: Specify the calibration and testing procedures to be followed, including the acceptance criteria.
- Ancillary Systems: If applicable, describe the qualification of ancillary systems and their impact on the equipment's performance.
- Training Verification: Document how personnel involved in the installation were trained and confirm their qualifications.
- Spare Parts and Consumables: Detail the availability of spare parts and consumables and the plan for replenishing them.
- Conclusion: Summarize the results of the IQ, indicating whether the installation is successful or if any corrective actions are required.
- Appendices: Include any relevant forms, checklists, or supporting documents.
- Signatures: Provide spaces for approval signatures from responsible parties, indicating that the IQ was conducted and reviewed as specified.