820.170 Installation.

(a) Each manufacturer of a device requiring installation shall establish and maintain adequate installation and inspection instructions, and where appropriate test procedures. Instructions and procedures shall include directions for ensuring proper installation so that the device will perform as intended after installation. The manufacturer shall distribute the instructions and procedures with the device or otherwise make them available to the person(s) installing the device.

(b) The person installing the device shall ensure that the installation, inspection, and any required testing are performed in accordance with the manufacturer`s instructions and procedures and shall document the inspection and any test results to demonstrate proper installation.

Interpretation:

Section 820.170 on installation requires that each manufacturer establish and maintain adequate installation and inspection instructions and, where appropriate, testing procedures. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the device is properly installed and will perform as intended after installation. This regulation applies to medical device systems and complex devices that require set up and adjustment at the location where they are to be used. For example, before a diagnostic x-ray machine can be used, it has to be installed and adjusted and the performance checked. Cardiopulmonary bypass machines also require set up and adjustment at the user location. Manufacturers of such devices shall:

• install the device, or have it installed by a representative;
• inspect and test, as appropriate, the device after installation to assure the device will perform as intended; or
• provide adequate instructions and procedures for proper installation by another party.

These instructions and procedures for proper installation by the manufacturer's representative, user, or third party (820.170) shall include instructions on how to determine that the installed device is safe, performing satisfactorily and ready for use. Safety checks at installation refer to safety aspects directly related to the installation and setup activities and not to intrinsic safety features that have already been checked during final acceptance testing at the factory.

The instructions and procedures shall be distributed with the device or otherwise made available to the person installing the device. Such procedures and instructions are part of the device master record and generally include a checklist for the installer to make certain that all necessary installation and checkout activities have been performed correctly. The installer should complete the checklist. If available to the manufacturer, the filled-in checklist or other installation records are part of the device history record.

Installation and servicing are related activities. Therefore, see Chapter 16, Servicing, for more information.

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Reference: www.FDA.gov

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