ACQUITY Premier System - Site Preparation Guide

Significance of the topic

The ACQUITY Premier System is a high-performance liquid chromatography platform designed for sensitive and reproducible analysis across diverse applications. Proper site preparation is critical to ensure safe installation, optimal instrument performance, regulatory compliance, and minimal downtime.

Objectives and overview of the guide

This guide outlines the essential steps for preparing a laboratory facility prior to installation by a Waters Field Service Engineer. It covers storage, shipment handling, bench configuration, power and environmental requirements, waste management, solvent and gas provisioning, and test sample readiness to facilitate a smooth and efficient installation.

Used instrumentation

• ACQUITY Premier Binary Solvent Manager (BSM)
• ACQUITY Premier Quaternary Solvent Manager (QSM)
• ACQUITY Premier Sample Manager – Fixed Loop (SM-FL) or Flow-through Needle (SM-FTN)
• ACQUITY Premier Column Manager – Active (CM-A) and Auxiliary (CM-Aux)
• ACQUITY Premier Column Heater – Active (CH-A) or 30 cm Column Heater/Cooler (CHC)
• Extended Wavelength Photodiode Array Detector (eλPDA) or Tunable Ultraviolet Detector (TUV)
• Fluorescence Detector (FLR), Refractive Index Detector (RI), or Single Quadrupole Detector (QDa/SQD 2)
• Optional mass spectrometer integration (e.g., Xevo TQD)
• Accessories: drip trays, flex cart, waste container

Methodology

• Relocating and storing shipping containers: adhere to lifting protocols, maintain crate integrity, confirm facility access dimensions, and store at 0–40 °C and <80% humidity.
• Bench and space requirements: configure single- to multi-stack layouts, verify bench load capacity, provide clearances (rear 6 in, sides 3 in, overhead 5 ft), and assess flex cart support.
• Workstation setup: prepare chromatography data system computers meeting Waters software and OS specifications.
• Power supply: allocate dedicated grounded receptacles for each module, observe over-voltage Category II, and avoid extension cords.
• Environmental control: maintain ambient temperature 4–40 °C (optimum 19–22 °C), relative humidity 20–80% non-condensing, minimal vibration, and low dust.
• Waste and exhaust management: install a closed drip drainage system, route solvent exhaust to ventilation, and place waste containers under the bench.
• Consumables and supplies: ensure availability of LC/MS-grade solvents, clean solvent bottles and glassware, gas supplies for MS, test samples, and laboratory essentials (gloves, vials, pipettes).
• Verification process: complete a nine-point checklist to confirm readiness in relocation, space, workstation, power, environment, solvents, gases, test samples, and customer-supplied items.

Main results and discussion

The guide distills over 27 pages of requirements into a practical checklist of critical checkpoints. Emphasis on early planning for space, weight, power, and environmental parameters ensures installations proceed without delay. Clearly defined customer and Waters responsibilities streamline the process, support safety, and uphold GLP standards.

Benefits and practical applications

• Reduced installation time and costs by preventing rescheduling due to unprepared sites.
• Enhanced safety and compliance with electrical, mechanical, and chemical handling guidelines.
• Optimized system reliability and performance through adherence to environmental specifications.
• Simplified documentation and verification via a structured pre-installation checklist.

Future trends and applications

Emerging developments include automation of site qualification workflows, remote pre-installation diagnostics, the use of digital twins for laboratory layout planning, and mobile applications to guide customers through preparation steps.

Conclusion

Comprehensive site preparation is fundamental to achieving reliable and efficient ACQUITY Premier System installations. Following the detailed guidelines and verification procedures ensures seamless deployment, operational safety, and consistent analytical performance.

References

• Controlling Contamination in LC/MS Systems (715001307)
• Preventing Contamination in ACQUITY UPLC/MS Systems (video)