Phillip A. Cloud
f the tree types of devices —
Utensil nsiruments, and equipment
=the refrgerator-freezr falls
under the definition of equipment
‘Therefore, it must be validated.
‘rss have no contol specifications and
no measurements. OFen, such devices
replace what an operator would do by hand.
‘They include ste plates, tir rods, and
spatulas, Vensils do not need tobe
validated, Glassware used to measure a
volume is ceritied by the vendor.
lasers take physical measurements
and display their values bat have no control
‘ot analytical function. Such devies include
stopwatces, timers, and thermometers
Instrments donot need to be validated, but
Validating a Refrigerator-Freezer
In QC laboratories, rofigorator-
{roezers are used to store in-
process product samples for
‘ongoing quality control studies. As
equipment, they must be validated.
Philip A Cloud is validation special 1
Geneva Pharmaceuticals, 2635 Mivay Bis,
Broomfield, CO 80038-0446, (303) 428-45, fox
(303) 438-459, email pacloud@prodigy.net, Ts
artcl is adaptad wit person from te author's
boots, Pharmecesical Buipment Validation: The
‘imate Qualification Gudsbook and How to
Develop and Manage Quaifcaton Protocols for
FDA Compliance (ierpharm Press, Buflo Grove,
1, 1988 ana 1999, respectively).
they do require inital and ongoing
calibration programs.
Egeinment performs a process to produce a
resalt, producing an environment or
performing an action on something. Whether
simple device or a collection of
‘components, equipment must be validated,
This article explains how to validate a
refiigeratr-feezér tha is used for storing
‘in-process product samples. The materials
are environmentally controlled at 2-8 °C in
the reftigerator,
‘The Validation Protocol
Following ae the major elements of a
validation protocol fora refrigerator freezer.
“The protocol example canbe used as a GMP
‘compliance guide, bu it shoud be tailored
‘to meet individual company equirement,
‘The equipment validation method