Annex 8

Guidelines on heating, ventilation and air-conditioning

systems for non-sterile pharmaceutical products
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) published the first edition of the WHO
Guidelines on good manufacturing practices for heating, ventilation and air-
conditioning systems for non-sterile pharmaceutical dosage forms in 2006 (1).
After a revision, the second edition of the document was published in 2011 (2).
Consideration of various comments and questions related to good manufacturing
practices (GMP) for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
led to the proposal to revise the document. After wide public consultation, and
taking into account comments received, the document and comments were
discussed during an informal consultation in Geneva in April 2017.
During this informal consultation the proposed changes based
on comments received as well as additional suggestions made during the
consultation, were discussed. It was agreed that the guidelines be amended
to comprise two documents: one that would consist of guidelines containing
recommendations for GMP for HVAC systems for non-sterile products and a
second document that would contain examples and drawings that would clarify
some of the recommendations made in the first document.
Therefore, the previous version of the WHO guidelines on good
manufacturing practices for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
for non-sterile pharmaceutical dosage forms as published in 2011 (2) should be
amended according to these new guidelines.

Summary of main changes

In accordance with the recommendation made during the informal consultation
in April 2017, the guidelines have been rewritten in two parts. The present
document is the first part and contains the recommendations that are to be
considered as good practices in design, management, control and qualification
over the life cycle of HVAC systems.
The second part will contain non-binding examples, clarifications and
drawings in support of the guidelines in the present document and is currently
being drafted.

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No summary of changes is provided here, as the content of the previous

guidelines has been reorganized taking into account all the comments received
during the last comment period.
The illustrative guidance and explanations (second part) will be published
separately.

1. Introduction 251
2. Scope 251
3. Glossary 252
4. Premises 256
5. Design of HVAC systems and components 258
6. Full fresh air systems and recirculation systems 260
7. Air filtration, airflow direction and pressure differentials 261
8. Temperature and relative humidity 266
9. Dust, vapour and fume control 266
10. Protection of the environment 267
11. Commissioning 267
12. Qualification 267
13. Maintenance 269
References and further reading 270
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1. Introduction
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) play an important role
in ensuring the manufacture of quality pharmaceutical products. The good
manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements for the prevention of contamination
and cross-contamination are an essential design consideration of an HVAC
system. A well-designed HVAC system also provides for protection of the
environment and the operators as well as comfortable working conditions.
These guidelines mainly focus on recommendations for HVAC systems
used in facilities for the manufacture of non-sterile dosage forms, which include
tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, creams and ointments. The general HVAC
system design principles contained in these guidelines may, however, also be
applied to other dosage forms.
HVAC system design influences architectural building design and layout,
for example, with regard to airlock positions, doorways and lobbies. These in
turn have an effect on room pressure, pressure differentials, pressure cascades,
contamination and cross-contamination control. Therefore, the design of the
HVAC system should be considered at the initial design stage of a pharmaceutical
manufacturing plant.
Temperature, relative humidity and ventilation should be appropriate
and should not adversely affect the quality of pharmaceutical products during
their manufacture and storage, or the accurate functioning of equipment
and instruments.
A comprehensive science- and risk-based approach should be followed
throughout the life-cycle of an HVAC system, including its design, qualification
and maintenance. Risk assessment is, however, not a substitute for GMP (3).

2. Scope
These guidelines focus primarily on GMP for the design, qualification,
management and maintenance of HVAC systems in facilities for the manufacture
of non-sterile dosage forms. They are intended to complement the guidelines
on GMP for pharmaceutical products and should be read in conjunction with
the parent guide. The additional standards addressed in these guidelines should
therefore be considered supplementary to the general requirements set out in
the main principles guide (4).
Most of the system principles described in these guidelines may also
be considered in facilities manufacturing other dosage forms and products,
and finishing processing steps for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Additional, specific requirements may apply for air-handling systems for
pharmaceutical products containing hazardous substances, sterile products and
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biological products. These are covered in separate WHO guidelines (3, 5) and
working document WHO/BS/2015.2253, intended to replace (6), respectively.

3. Glossary
The definitions given below apply to terms used in this document. They may have
different meanings in other contexts.
acceptance criteria. Numerical limits, ranges or other suitable measures
for acceptance of test results.
action limit. The action limit is reached when the acceptance criteria of
a critical parameter have been exceeded. Results outside these limits will require
specified action and investigation.
air changes per hour. The flow rate of air supplied to a room, in m3/hour,
divided by the room volume, in m3.
air-handling unit (AHU). The AHU serves to condition the air and
provide the required airflow within a facility.
airflow protection booth. A booth or chamber, typically for purposes
of carrying out sampling or weighing, in order to provide product containment
and operator protection.
airlock. An enclosed space with two or more doors, which is interposed
between two or more rooms, for example, of differing classes of cleanliness, for
the purpose of controlling the airflow between those rooms when they need to be
entered. An airlock is designed for and used by either people or goods (personnel
airlock (PAL); material airlock (MAL)).
alert limit. The alert limit is reached when the normal operating range
of  a critical parameter has been exceeded, indicating that corrective measures
may need to be taken to prevent the action limit being reached.
as-built. Condition where the installation is complete, with all services
connected and functioning but with no production equipment, materials or
WHO Technical Report Series, No. 1010, 2018

personnel present.
at-rest. Condition where the installation is complete, with equipment
installed and operating in a manner agreed upon by the customer and supplier,
but with no personnel present.
central air-conditioning unit (see air-handling unit).
change control. A formal system by which qualified representatives of
appropriate disciplines review proposed or actual changes that might affect a
validated status. The intent is to determine the need for action that would ensure
that the system is maintained in a validated state.
clean area (cleanroom). An area (or room or zone) with defined
environmental control of particulate and microbial contamination, constructed
and used in such a way as to reduce the introduction, generation and retention
of contaminants within the area.
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clean-up (see recovery).

closed system. A system where the product or material is not exposed to
the manufacturing environment.
commissioning. Commissioning is the documented process of verifying
that the equipment and systems are installed according to specifications,
placing the equipment into active service and verifying its proper action.
Commissioning takes place at various stages during project construction but
prior to validation.
containment. A process or device to contain product, dust or
contaminants in one zone, preventing it from escaping to another zone.
contamination. The undesired introduction of impurities of a chemical
or microbial nature, or of foreign matter, into or on to a starting material or
intermediate, during production, sampling, packaging or repackaging, storage
or transport.
controlled area (classified area). An area within the facility in which
specific procedures and environmental parameters, including viable and non-
viable particles, are defined, controlled and monitored to prevent degradation,
contamination or cross-contamination of the product.
controlled not classified. An area where some environmental conditions
or other attributes (such as temperature) are controlled, but the area has no
cleanroom classification.
critical parameter or component. A processing parameter (such as
temperature or relative humidity) that affects the quality of a product, or a
component that may have a direct impact on the quality of the product.
critical quality attribute. A physical, chemical, biological or
microbiological property or characteristic that should be within an appropriate
limit, range or distribution to ensure the desired product quality.
cross-contamination. Contamination of a starting material, intermediate
product or finished product with another starting material or product during
production.
cross-over bench. Cross-over or step-over bench in the changing room
to demarcate the barrier between different garment change procedures.
design condition. Design condition relates to the specified range or
accuracy of a controlled variable used by the designer as a basis for determining
the performance requirements of an engineered system.
design qualification. The documented check of planning documents and
technical specifications for design conformity with the process, manufacturing,
good manufacturing practices and regulatory requirements.
differential pressure. The difference in pressure between two points,
such as the pressure difference between an enclosed space and an independent
reference point, or the pressure difference between two enclosed spaces.
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direct impact system. A system that is expected to have a direct impact

on product quality. These systems are designed and commissioned in line with
good engineering practice and, in addition, are subject to qualification practices.
exfiltration. The egress of air from a controlled area to an external zone.
extract air. Air leaving a space, which could be either return air or exhaust
air. Return air refers to air that is returned to the air-handling unit and exhaust
air is air that is vented to the atmosphere.
facility. The built environment within which the clean area installation
and associated controlled environments operate together with their supporting
infrastructure.
good engineering practice. Established engineering methods and
standards that are applied throughout the project life cycle to deliver appropriate,
cost-effective solutions.
hazardous substance or product. A product or substance that may
present a substantial risk of injury to health or to the environment.
HEPA filter. High-efficiency particulate air filter.
HVAC. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. Also referred to as
“environmental control systems”.
indirect impact system. A system that is not expected to have a direct
impact on product quality, but typically will support a direct impact system.
These systems are designed and commissioned according to good engineering
practice only.
infiltration. Infiltration is the ingress of air from an external zone into a
controlled area.
installation qualification. Documented verification that the premises,
HVAC system, supporting utilities and equipment have been built and installed
in compliance with their approved design specification.
ISO 14644.The International Standards Organization (ISO) has developed
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a set of standards for the classification and testing of cleanrooms. Where ISO
14644 is referenced it implies the latest revision and all its separate parts.
no-impact system. A system that will not have any impact, either directly
or indirectly, on product quality. These systems are designed and commissioned
according to good engineering practice only.
noncritical parameter or component. A processing parameter or
component within a system whose operation, contact, data control, alarm or
failure will have an indirect impact or no impact on the quality of the product.
normal operating range. The range that the manufacturer selects as the
acceptable values for a parameter during normal operations. This range must
be within the operating range.
operating limits. The minimum and/or maximum values that will ensure
that product and safety requirements are met.
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operating range. The range of validated critical parameters within which

acceptable products can be manufactured.
operational condition. This condition relates to carrying out room
classification tests with the normal production process with equipment in
operation and the normal staff present in the specific room.
operational qualification. This is the documentary evidence to verify
that the equipment operates in accordance with its design specifications within
its normal operating range and performs as intended throughout all anticipated
operating ranges.
oral solid dosage form. Usually refers to solid dosage forms of medicinal
products such as tablets, capsules and powders to be taken orally.
pass-through hatch or pass box. A cabinet with two or more doors for
passing equipment, material or product while maintaining the pressure cascade
and segregation between two controlled zones. A passive pass-through hatch
(PTH) has no air supply or air extraction. A dynamic PTH has an air supply into
the chamber.
performance qualification. The documented verification that the process
and/or the total process related to the system performs as intended throughout
all anticipated operating ranges.
point extraction. Air extraction point located so that it effectively
captures dust near its source.
pressure cascade. A process whereby air flows from one area, which is
maintained at a higher pressure, to another area maintained at a lower pressure.
qualification. The planning, carrying out and recording of tests
on equipment and a system, which forms part of the validated process, to
demonstrate that it will perform as intended.
quality critical process parameter. A process parameter that could have
an impact on the critical quality attribute.
recovery. Room recovery or clean-up tests are performed to determine
whether the installation is capable of returning to a specified cleanliness
level  within a finite time, after being exposed briefly to a source of airborne
particulate challenge.
relative humidity. The ratio of the actual water vapour pressure of the
air to the saturated water vapour pressure of the air at the same temperature
expressed as a percentage. More simply put, it is the ratio of the mass of moisture
in the air, relative to the mass at 100% moisture saturation, at a given temperature.
standard operating procedure. An authorized written procedure, giving
instructions for performing operations, not necessarily specific to a given product
or material, but of a more general nature (for example operation of equipment,
maintenance and cleaning, validation, cleaning of premises and environmental
control, sampling and inspection). Certain standard operating procedures may be
used to supplement product-specific master and batch production documentation.
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turbulent air flow. Turbulent flow, or non-unidirectional airflow, is air

distribution that is introduced into the controlled space and then mixes with
room air by means of induction.
unidirectional airflow. A rectified airflow over the entire cross-sectional
area of a clean zone with a steady velocity and approximately parallel streamlines
(see also turbulent air flow). (Modern standards no longer refer to laminar flow,
but have adopted the term unidirectional airflow.)
validation. The documented act of proving that any procedure, process,
equipment, material, activity or system actually leads to the expected results.
validation master plan. A high-level document that establishes an
umbrella validation plan for the entire project and is used as guidance by the
project team for resource and technical planning (also referred to as a master
qualification plan).

4. Premises
4.1 The manufacture of non-sterile pharmaceutical products should take place
in a controlled environment, as defined by the manufacturer.

4.2 The design of the HVAC system should be closely coordinated with the
architectural design of the building.

4.3 Infiltration of unfiltered air into a manufacturing facility should be

prevented as this can be a source of contamination.

4.4 Manufacturing facilities should normally be maintained at a positive

pressure relative to the outside, to prevent the ingress of contaminants.
Where facilities are to be maintained at negative pressures relative to the
outside, special precautions should be taken to mitigate any risks (see (3)).
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4.5 Areas for the manufacture of products, especially where materials and
products are exposed to the environment, should be of an appropriate
level of cleanliness. The level of air cleanliness for different areas should be
determined according to, but not limited to, the products manufactured,
the process used and the products’ susceptibility to degradation.
Where a clean room classification is specified, the manufacturer
should state whether the classification is rated for the “as-built”, “at-rest” or
“operational” condition.

4.6 HVAC systems should ensure that the specified room conditions are
attained, for example through heating, cooling, air filtration, air distribution,
airflow rates and air exchange rates.
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4.7 Any area where pharmaceutical starting materials, products, primary

packing materials, utensils and equipment are exposed to the environment
should have the same level of cleanliness or classification as the area in
which the products are produced.
4.8 Appropriate design and controls for the premises and HVAC systems
should be in place to achieve containment, cleanliness and the appropriate
levels of protection of the product, personnel and the environment.
Note: For facilities where the highest level of containment is a requirement,
refer to the guidance in WHO good manufacturing practices for pharmaceutical
products containing hazardous substances (3).
4.9 Containment, cleanliness and protection may be facilitated through, for
example:
■■ correct building layout;
■■ building finishes;
■■ the use of airlocks such as personnel airlocks (PAL) and/or material
airlocks (MAL);
■■ pass-through hatches (PTH);
■■ change rooms and passages;
■■ sufficient pressure differentials.
4.10 Detailed schematic diagrams should be maintained, indicating, for example,
air supply and air return, room pressure differentials and airflow directions.
4.11 Where possible, personnel and materials should not move from a higher
cleanliness zone to a lower cleanliness zone and back to a higher cleanliness
zone. Where this is unavoidable, risks should be identified and controlled.
4.12 The final change room should be at the same cleanliness level (at rest) as the
area into which it leads.
4.13 Where appropriate, such as where the simultaneous opening of airlock
doors might lead to a cross-contamination risk, airlock doors should not
be opened at the same time. In such cases, controls such as interlocking
systems, warning systems and procedures should be implemented.
4.14 Swing doors should normally open to the high-pressure side and be
provided with self-closers. Exceptions to the door swing direction should
be justified and may include for fire escapes or other health and safety
measures. In these cases, door closer mechanisms should be carefully
controlled and other controls should be in place to prevent any risk.
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4.15 Sampling, weighing and dispensing areas should be appropriately designed

to provide the required levels of containment, operator protection and
product protection.
4.16 Sampling, weighing and dispensing should be performed under the same
environmental conditions as specified in the areas for the next stage of
processing of the product.
4.17 Factors such as airflow should not disrupt the accuracy of balances.
4.18 The position of the operator, equipment and containers should not obstruct
airflow patterns and result in risks.
4.19 Once an area is qualified with a specific layout for operators, equipment
and processes, this configuration should be ensured during routine activity.
4.20 Return and exhaust filters and grilles selected and installed should be
appropriate and their design should facilitate cleaning and maintenance.
4.21 The impact and risk to the HVAC system should be considered when
changes are planned to an existing facility. This includes upgrades and
retrofitting of facilities.

5. Design of HVAC systems and components

HVAC systems should be appropriately designed and managed throughout their
life cycle. Documentation such as schematic drawings should be maintained to
reflect the current situation.
5.1 Risk management principles should be applied for HVAC systems. This
WHO Technical Report Series, No. 1010, 2018

includes, but is not limited to, appropriate design, operation and monitoring,
control of the climatic conditions and the prevention of contamination
and cross-contamination.
5.2 The HVAC system capacity should be sufficient to ensure that the required
performance is maintained during normal use by taking into consideration,
for example, room leakage, duct leakage and filter conditions.

5.3 Materials for constructing the components of an HVAC system should not
become a source of contamination.

5.4 Where possible, ducting, piping, fittings, sensors and other components
should be clearly marked or labelled for ease of identification, indicating
location and direction of flow as appropriate.
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5.5 Air intake and exhaust air terminals should be positioned in a manner in
relation to one another that assists in preventing cross-contamination.

5.6 Air-handling units (AHUs) should be provided with adequately designed

drains to remove any condensate that may form in them.

5.7 Conditions and limits for parameters such as temperature, relative humidity
and air cleanliness should be specified and achieved, as needed, for the
materials and products handled, as well as for process risk.

5.8 Where appropriate, recovery rates should be specified and achieved to

demonstrate that the HVAC system is capable of returning an area to a
specified level of cleanliness or classification, temperature, relative humidity,
room pressure and microbial limits within the specified time.

5.9 Failure mode and effect of critical components should be analysed. The
analysis should include possible room pressure changes due to fan failure
and possible impact of partial system shutdown on ease of opening doors
for escape purposes.

5.10 The air distribution and airflow patterns should be appropriate and effective.

5.11 Air supply and extract grilles should be appropriately located to provide
effective room flushing and to prevent zones of stagnant air.

5.12 The performance of HVAC systems should be controlled and monitored

to ensure continuous compliance with defined parameters, and records
should be maintained. Limits defined should be justified.

5.13 Where automated monitoring systems are used, these should be capable
of indicating any out-of-limit condition by means of an alarm or similar
system. Where these systems are identified as GXP systems, they should be
appropriately validated.

5.14 Appropriate alarm systems should be in place to alert personnel in case of

failure of a critical component of the system, for example, a fan.

5.15 The effect of fan failure on building and HVAC components should be
assessed. Where appropriate, provision should be made for a fan interlock
failure matrix.

5.16 Periodic switching off of AHUs, for example, overnight or at weekends,

or reducing supply air volumes during non-production hours, should be
avoided so that material or product quality is not compromised. Where
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AHUs are switched off, there should be appropriate justification and no

risk to materials or products. The procedure and its acceptability should be
proven and documented.

5.17 Procedures should be in place and records maintained for the startup and
shutdown sequence of AHUs.

6. Full fresh air systems and recirculation systems

6.1 Full fresh air or recirculation type HVAC systems may be used. Fresh air
should be adequately filtered to remove contaminants. Where recirculation
systems are used, there should be no risk of contamination or cross-
contamination.

6.2 HEPA filters may be installed (in the supply air stream or return air stream)
to remove contaminants and thus prevent cross-contamination. The HEPA
filters in such an application should have an EN 1822 classification of at
least H13 or equivalent.

6.3 HEPA filters may not be required to control cross-contamination where

evidence that cross-contamination would not be possible has been obtained
by other robust technical means, or where the air-handling system is serving
a single product facility.

6.4 The amount of fresh air intake required should be determined. As a

minimum, the following criteria should be considered:

■■ sufficient volume of fresh air to compensate for leakage from the

facility and loss through exhaust air systems;
WHO Technical Report Series, No. 1010, 2018

■■ operator occupancy;
■■ regional or national legislation.

6.5 Air that might be contaminated with organic solvents or highly hazardous
materials should normally not be recirculated.

6.6 The need for and the degree of filtration of the exhaust air should be
considered based on risk, exhaust air contaminants and local environmental
regulations.

6.7 Where energy-recovery wheels are used in multiproduct facilities, controls

should be in place to ensure that these do not become a source of cross-
contamination.

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7. Air filtration, airflow direction and

pressure differentials
7.1 Where different products are manufactured at the same time, i.e. in different
areas or rooms in a multiproduct manufacturing site, measures should be
taken to ensure that dust cannot move from one room to another. Facility
design and layout, appropriate levels of filtration, airflow direction and
pressure differentials can assist in preventing cross-contamination.
7.2 Filters selected should be appropriate for their intended use and classified
according to the current international classification system (see Table A8.1).
7.3 Airflow directions should be appropriate, taking operator and equipment
locations into consideration.
7.4 The pressure differential between areas in a facility should be individually
assessed according to the products handled and level of protection required.
The pressure differential and the direction of airflow should be appropriate
to the product and processing method used, and should also provide
protection for the operator and the environment.
7.5 The pressure differential should be designed so that the direction of airflow
is from the clean area, resulting in dust containment, for example, from the
corridor to the cubicle.
7.6 The limits for the pressure differential between adjacent areas should be
such that there is no risk of overlap in the defined dynamic operating
ranges.
7.7 Normally, for rooms where dust is liberated, the corridor should be
maintained at a higher pressure than the rooms and the rooms at a higher
pressure than atmospheric pressure. (For negative pressure facilities refer
to WHO good practices for pharmaceutical products containing hazardous
substances (3), for guidelines and design conditions.)
Room pressure differential indication should be provided. This
may be by pressure gauges or suitable electronic systems such as EMS or
BMS. Where pressure indication gauges are provided, these should have a
range and graduation scale that enables them to be read to an appropriate
accuracy. The normal operating range, alert and action limits should be
defined and displayed at the point of indication or EMS/BMS.
Room pressure should be traced back to representative ambient
pressure (by summation of the room pressure differentials), in order to
determine the actual absolute pressure in the room.

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7.8 The pressure control and monitoring devices used should be calibrated.
Compliance with specifications should be regularly verified and the
results recorded.
7.9 Pressure control devices should be linked to an alarm system which
is set according to the levels determined by a risk analysis and justified
dead times.
7.10 Zero setting of gauges should be tamper proof. Zero setting should be
checked at regular intervals.
7.11 Where airlocks are used, the pressure differentials selected should
be appropriate. When selecting room pressure differentials, transient
variations, such as machine extract systems and their impact, should be
taken into consideration.
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 Table A8.1
Comparison of filter test standards – approximate equivalencies a

Eurovent 4/5 ASHRAE Eurovent 4/5 Eurovent 4/5

rating 52.2 ASHRAE 52.1 ASHRAE 52.1 EN 779 & EN 1822
BS6540 Part 1 BS6540 Part 1
(superseded) Merv Average arrestance Average dust spot MPPS integral
ISO 29463

rating Am (%) efficiency overall efficiency

EN rating
(superseded) Em (%) (%)
(superseded)
99.999995 U17 75E
99.99995 U16 65E
EU 14 99.9995 U15 55E
EU 13 99.995 H14 45E
EU 12 99.95 H13 35E
EN 1822: 2009

EU 11 99.5 E12 25E

EU 10 95 E11 15E
EU 9 Merv 16 >95 85 E10
EU 9 Merv 15 95 F9
EU 8 Merv 14 90 F8
Merv 13 >98 85 F7
EN 779: 2012

EU 7 >98 80
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264
Table A8.1 continued
Eurovent 4/5 ASHRAE Eurovent 4/5 Eurovent 4/5
rating 52.2 ASHRAE 52.1 ASHRAE 52.1 EN 779 & EN 1822
BS6540 Part 1 BS6540 Part 1
(superseded) Merv Average arrestance Average dust spot MPPS integral
ISO 29463

rating Am (%) efficiency overall efficiency

EN rating
(superseded) Em (%) (%)
(superseded)
Merv 12 >95 75
EU 6 >95 70 M6
Merv 11 >95 65
>95 60
Merv 10 >95 55
EU 5 Merv 9 >95 50 M5
Merv 8 >95 45
>95 40
EN 779: 2012

Merv 7 >90 35
EU 4 >90 30 G4
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Merv 6 90 25
EU 3 Merv 5 85 20 G3
80 <20
 Table A8.1 continued
Eurovent 4/5 ASHRAE Eurovent 4/5 Eurovent 4/5
rating 52.2 ASHRAE 52.1 ASHRAE 52.1 EN 779 & EN 1822
BS6540 Part 1 BS6540 Part 1
(superseded) Merv Average arrestance Average dust spot MPPS integral
ISO 29463

rating Am (%) efficiency overall efficiency

EN rating
(superseded) Em (%) (%)
(superseded)
Merv 4 75
EU 2 Merv 3 70 G2
Merv 2 65
EN 779: 2012

EU 1 Merv 1 <65 G1
a
Ensure that the classification is current.
MPPS: most penetrating particle size.
Note: The filter classifications referred to above relate to the EN 1822:2009 and EN 779: 2012 test standards (EN 779 relates to filter classes G1 to F9 and EN 1822 relates to filter
classes E10 to U17.
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8. Temperature and relative humidity

8.1 Where appropriate, temperature and relative humidity should be controlled,
monitored and recorded to ensure that the conditions are maintained
pertinent to the materials and products as required, and provide a
comfortable environment for the operators.
8.2 Limits for minimum and maximum room temperatures and relative
humidity should be appropriate taking into consideration, for example,
materials and products.
8.3 Where steam or humidity is present, controls should be in place to ensure
that the HVAC system will remain effective. Precautions should be taken
to prevent moisture migration that may increase an uncontrolled load on
the HVAC system.
Where humidification or dehumidification is required, this should
be achieved by appropriate means that will not become a source of
contamination.
8.4 Dehumidification and cooling systems should be well drained. Condensate
should not accumulate in air-handling systems and should not become a
source of contamination.

9. Dust, vapour and fume control

The discharge location of dust, vapours and fumes should be carefully considered
to prevent contamination and cross-contamination.

9.1 Dust, vapours and fumes could be sources of contamination and should
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be appropriately controlled. Wherever possible, they should be removed

at source. The HVAC system should not normally serve as the primary
mechanism of dust control.

9.2 Dust extraction systems should be appropriately designed and installed.

Dust should not be able to flow back in the opposite direction, for example,
in the event of component failure or airflow failure. The transfer velocity
should be sufficient to ensure that dust is carried away and does not settle
in the ducting.

9.3 The dust extraction points should be positioned in such a way as to

prevent dust and powders dropping down from the extract point causing
contamination or cross-contamination.

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9.4 Air should not flow through the dust extraction ducting or return air
ducting from the room with the higher pressure to the room with the
lower pressure.
9.5 Periodic checks should be performed to ensure that there is no build-up
of dust in the ducting.
9.6 Dust extraction systems should be interlocked, where appropriate, to
the relevant AHU to avoid any risk or any impact on pressure cascade
imbalances.

10. Protection of the environment

Where exhaust air from equipment such as fluid bed driers, dust extraction
systems and facilities carries dust loads, adequate filtration or other control
technology should be in place to prevent contamination of the ambient air.
10.1 Waste from dust extraction and collection systems should be disposed of
in an appropriate manner.
10.2 Dust-slurry should be removed by suitable means, for example, a drainage
system or waste removal contractor.

11. Commissioning
Note: Commissioning is a precursor to system qualification and validation, and
is normally associated with good engineering practice (GEP).

12. Qualification
Note: For general notes on qualification and validation, see WHO guidelines on
validation (7).
12.1 HVAC systems, including recirculation and full fresh air systems, should be
qualified to ensure continued performance in accordance with specifications
and achievement of the conditions as specified.
12.2 The scope and extent of qualification should be determined based on risk
management principles.
12.3 The qualification of the HVAC system should be described in a master
plan. The master plan should define the nature and extent of testing, the
test procedures and protocols to be followed.

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12.4 Where relevant, the procedures followed for conducting the tests should
be in accordance with the appropriate parts of the standard as mentioned
in ISO 14644 (8) and relevant WHO guidelines.
12.5 The design condition, operating ranges, alert and action limits should be
defined. Alert limits should be based on system capability.
12.6 Performance parameters to be included in qualification of the HVAC
system should be determined by means of a risk assessment.
12.7 Acceptable tolerances for system parameters, where appropriate, should
be specified before commencing the physical installation.
12.8 There should be standard operating procedures describing the action
to be taken when alert and action limits are reached. This may include,
where relevant:
■■ temperature;
■■ relative humidity;
■■ supply air quantities;
■■ return air or exhaust air quantities;
■■ room air-change rates;
■■ room pressures and pressure differentials;
■■ airflow pattern tests;
■■ unidirectional airflow velocities;
■■ containment system velocities;
■■ HEPA filter penetration tests;
■■ room particle count tests;
WHO Technical Report Series, No. 1010, 2018

■■ duct leakage tests;

■■ materials of construction;
■■ microbiological counts;
■■ de-dusting and dust extraction systems.
12.9 Where routine or periodic revalidation is done, the frequency should be
established based on, for example, risk, the type of facility, the level of
product protection necessary, performance of the system and the extent
of routine ongoing monitoring activities.
12.10 Any change to the HVAC system should be handled according to a change
control procedure. The extent of qualification or requalification should be
decided based on the scope and impact of the change.
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13. Maintenance
13.1 Operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals, procedures and records
should be available and kept up to date with details of any system
revisions made.
13.2 O&M manuals, schematic drawings, protocols and reports should be
maintained as reference documents for any future changes and upgrades
to the system.
13.3 The O&M manuals may typically contain the following information:
■■ system description;
■■ operating instructions;
■■ troubleshooting;
■■ commissioning data;
■■ maintenance instructions;
■■ list of equipment suppliers;
■■ spare parts list;
■■ equipment data/capacity schedules;
■■ supplier’s literature;
■■ control system description;
■■ electrical drawings;
■■ as-built drawings.
13.4 There should be a planned preventive maintenance programme for the
HVAC system. The details of this programme should be commensurate
with the criticality of the system and components.
13.5 Maintenance activities should not have any negative impact on product
quality and should normally be scheduled to take place at appropriate
times, for example, outside production hours.
In case of system stoppages, appropriate quality management
system procedures should be followed. Where necessary, the root cause
and impact should be assessed and appropriate corrective and preventive
action taken. Where necessary, qualification or requalification should
be considered.
13.6 HEPA filters should be changed by a competent person and this should be
followed by installed filter leakage testing.
13.7 Records should be kept for a sufficient period of time.
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References and further reading

References
1. WHO Guidelines on good manufacturing practices for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
systems for non-sterile pharmaceutical dosage forms. In: WHO Expert Committee on Specifications
for Pharmaceutical Preparations: fortieth report. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2006:
Annex 2 (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 937).
2. WHO Guidelines on good manufacturing practices for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
systems for non-sterile pharmaceutical dosage forms. In: WHO Expert Committee on Specifications
for Pharmaceutical Preparations: forty-fifth report. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2011:
Annex 5 (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 961).
3. WHO good manufacturing practices for pharmaceutical products containing hazardous
substances. In: WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations: forty-
fourth report. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010: Annex 3 (WHO Technical Report Series,
No. 957).
4. WHO good manufacturing practices for pharmaceutical products: main principles. In: WHO
Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations: forty-eighth report.
Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014: Annex 2 (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 986).
5. WHO good manufacturing practices for sterile pharmaceutical products. In: WHO Expert
Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations: forty-fifth report. Geneva: World
Health Organization; 2011: Annex 6 (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 961).
6. Good manufacturing practices for biological products. In: WHO Expert Committee on Biological
Standardization: forty-second report. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1992: Annex 1 (WHO
Technical Report Series, No. 822).
7. Supplementary guidelines on good manufacturing practices: validation. In: WHO Expert
Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations: forty-fifth report. Geneva: World
Health Organization; 2006: Annex 4 (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 937).
8. ISO 14644 – Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments package, including ISO 14644-1
to ISO 14644-10 (updated regularly). Geneva: International Standard Organizations.

Further reading
WHO Technical Report Series, No. 1010, 2018

Good manufacturing practices: quality assurance of pharmaceuticals. WHO guidelines, good practices,
related regulatory guidance and GXP training materials. Geneva: World Health Organization (CD-ROM,
updated 2016).
ICH Harmonised tripartite guideline on quality risk management (Q9). Geneva: The International
Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for
Human Use; 2005.
Supplementary Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices: Validation. In: WHO Expert Committee
on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations: fortieth report. Geneva: World Health Organization;
2006: Annex 4 (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 937) (under revision).
WHO guidelines on quality risk management. In: WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for
Pharmaceutical Preparations: forty-fifth report. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013: Annex 2
(WHO Technical Report Series, No. 981).
WHO good manufacturing practices for biological products. In: WHO Expert Committee on Specifications
for Pharmaceutical Preparations: fiftieth report. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016: Annex 3
(WHO Technical Report Series, No. 996).
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