Quarantined Part Storage Area (QPSA)

A QPSA is separate from a PSA. This is where delivered parts are stored before they have been inspected for FOD and other defects. It is also where parts are stored after they have been inspected before they ship to the customer. A QPSA is identical to the PSA except that it is for inbound and outbound parts. This means that the same rules that apply to the PSA, apply to the QPSA.

In most manufacturing environments, there is a need for two (2) types of QPSA’s, inbound (iQPSA) and outbound (oQPSA). Both require the same PSA rules. The only difference is that the oQPSA is for completed parts awaiting shipping that cannot risk FOD contamination. While the iQPSA is for delivered parts that may be FOD contaminated and require quality assurance inspection prior to being released to the owning organization. Because of this difference, the iQPSA and oQPSA must be physically separated to ensure cross contamination does not occur.

The iQPSA can also be used when a FOD incident occurs and it is deemed a part needs to be quarantined due to an ongoing investigation.

Quarantined parts should not sit for long periods. The QPSA is meant as a transitional storage. Once a part has been inspected it should then be placed in the PSA or released out to where it is needed.

Ideally, QPSA’s should be located as close to an exit as possible. iQPSA parts might contain FOD. Therefore, they should not be moved into or through an FCA prior to a quality assurance inspection. oQPSA parts should be placed next to outbound shipping areas to ensure they do not become FOD contaminated prior to shipping.