Instructions for Use Template (IEC/IEEE 82079-1)

Instructions for Use: [Product name] [model]

Instructions for use (IFU) for a physical or connected product: safety notices, intended use, product description, transport, installation, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, decommissioning and disposal, plus the plan for producing, validating and keeping the information current. The structure is aligned with IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2019 (Edition 2.0), Preparation of information for use (instructions for use) of products: Part 1: Principles and general requirements. Replace every [bracketed] value and every row marked Example. The worked example uses a fictional product, the Fenmarrow HW-150 electric pressure washer. This is a documentation format, not legal or safety-engineering advice: check the current official text of every law and standard that applies to your product, and involve a qualified professional.

Document control

Approvals

Revision history

Contents

Part A: Production record

1. Scope and target audience
2. Applicable requirements
3. Information management process
4. Validation and traceability

Part B: Instructions for use

5. About these instructions
6. Safety
7. Intended use and foreseeable misuse
8. Product description and technical data
9. Transport, storage and unpacking
10. Installation and setup
11. Operation
12. Maintenance and cleaning
13. Troubleshooting
14. Decommissioning and disposal
15. Service, spare parts and contact
16. Glossary and references
17. Standard and licence note

1. Scope and target audience

1.1 Scope

These instructions cover the [Fenmarrow HW-150] (Example) in all sales variants listed in section 8.1, from unpacking to disposal. They do not cover accessories sold separately; those have their own instructions, referenced in section 15.

1.2 Target audiences

Write Part B for AUD-01 and AUD-02. Information that only a trained technician may act on (AUD-03) goes into a separate service manual, so untrained users are not invited to open the housing.

1.3 Use context

Describe the conditions the reader is in when they need the information: outdoors, wet hands, noise, gloves on, no internet connection at the place of use, possibly in a hurry because something went wrong. These conditions decide the media in section 3.3: a printed quick-start card on the unit is often more useful than a complete manual on a website.

2. Applicable requirements

Rules for this table:

• Name the edition and the application date. If a law is being replaced (as with REQ-01), record which regime applies to products placed on the market before and after the change date.
• Write the summary in your own words and link the official text in section 16.2. Do not paste legal wording into the instructions.
• Decide with your compliance owner whether digital-only delivery is allowed for this product and market, and record the decision and the conditions it depends on (for example, a paper copy on request, the period the online version stays available, and the access path from the product).

3. Information management process

3.1 Roles

3.2 Inputs

List the source documents with their versions: risk assessment [RA-HW150 v3], bill of materials, electrical and hydraulic data sheets, label artwork, the previous model's IFU and its field feedback, and the terminology database. A change to any input triggers a review of the affected topics (section 3.5).

3.3 Media and formats

Make sure the digital versions are accessible (text, not images of text; alternative text for figures; headings that work with a screen reader) and that the printed and digital versions carry the same version number.

3.4 Languages

3.5 Change control and retention

• Each product change request carries an "IFU impact" field. The technical communication lead decides which topics change.
• Keep every released version, with the product revisions it covers, for at least the period your applicable laws require for technical documentation, and keep superseded web versions reachable for products still in use.
• Record which version shipped with which serial-number range.

4. Validation and traceability

4.1 Review checklist

4.2 Usability test

4.3 Traceability: risk to safety message

5. About these instructions

These instructions belong to the [Fenmarrow HW-150 electric pressure washer] (Example), model [HW-150], from serial number [C000001]. Read them completely before first use, keep them with the product, and pass them on to the next owner. The current version in every available language is at [URL from QR code].

How safety messages look in these instructions

Each message names the hazard, its consequence, and how to avoid it. Use the same signal words, colours and symbols as the labels on the product, so readers recognise them.

6. Safety

6.1 Who may use this product

• Adults who have read these instructions. Do not let children use or play with the product.
• [Persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities only under supervision, if your product standard allows it.]

6.2 Key safety messages

WARNING: Injection injury. (Example, SM-01) The water jet can penetrate skin and cause serious injury. Never point the jet at people, animals, live electrical equipment or the product itself. If the jet hits skin, get medical help at once and tell the doctor it was a high-pressure injection injury.

WARNING: Electric shock. (Example, SM-02) Water and electricity together can kill. Connect only to a socket protected by a residual current device (RCD) rated [30 mA]. Do not use the product if the cable or plug is damaged. Keep the plug and socket dry.

NOTICE: Frost damage. (Example, SM-04) Water left in the pump can freeze and crack parts. Drain the product and store it above 0 °C (section 9.2).

6.3 Personal protective equipment

6.4 Safety devices on the product

Describe each device the user relies on, and tell them never to bypass it: [trigger lock on the spray gun], [thermal cut-out on the motor], [pressure relief valve]. Say what the user notices when a device acts (the motor stops, a light comes on) and what to do next.

7. Intended use and foreseeable misuse

Intended use (Example): The HW-150 is for cleaning outdoor surfaces, vehicles, garden furniture and tools with cold tap water, optionally with the detergents listed in section 8.4, by private users at home. It is not for commercial or continuous use.

Foreseeable misuse; do not:

8. Product description and technical data

8.1 Variants and scope of delivery

Check the contents after unpacking; contact [support] if anything is missing or damaged.

8.2 Overview

[Figure 1: product overview with callouts 1 to 8]. Name each part: (1) on/off switch, (2) water inlet with filter, (3) high-pressure outlet, (4) detergent tank, (5) cable hook, (6) spray gun, (7) trigger lock, (8) rating plate.

8.3 Technical data

8.4 Approved detergents and accessories

List approved detergents and accessories by part number. Say that other products may damage the pump and void the warranty, and point to the detergent's own safety data sheet.

9. Transport, storage and unpacking

9.1 Transport

1. Switch off and unplug the product.
2. Release the pressure by pulling the trigger until no water comes out.
3. Lift by the carrying handle only; [weight] kg is a one-person lift.
4. Secure the product upright in a vehicle so it cannot tip over.

9.2 Storage

1. Drain the water from the pump and hoses (section 14.1, steps 1 to 3).
2. Store indoors, dry, above 0 °C and out of the reach of children.
3. Store detergents in their original containers away from the unit.

10. Installation and setup

10.1 Before you start

• Tools: none required. (Example)
• Time: about 10 minutes.
• You need a tap with a [3/4 in] thread and a garden hose of at least [13 mm] diameter.

10.2 Electrical connection

WARNING: Electric shock. (Example, SM-02) Connect only to a socket protected by an RCD rated [30 mA]. Fully unwind any cable reel to avoid overheating.

1. Check the cable and plug for damage. If damaged, do not use the product; contact [support].
2. Keep the plug off the ground and away from the spray area.

10.3 Water connection

NOTICE: Drinking water. (Example, SM-03) Connect through a backflow preventer if your local water rules require one.

1. Fit the water inlet connector (2) to the product.
2. Connect the garden hose to the tap and run water through it for a few seconds to flush out dirt.
3. Connect the garden hose to the water inlet (2).
4. Turn the tap fully on. Result: water flows from the high-pressure outlet (3).
5. Connect the high-pressure hose to the outlet (3) and to the spray gun (6).

11. Operation

11.1 Controls

11.2 Start and clean

WARNING: Injection injury. (Example, SM-01) Never point the jet at people or animals.

1. Check that the tap is fully on and the trigger lock (7) is engaged.
2. Turn the switch (1) to ON.
3. Hold the gun with both hands, release the trigger lock and press the trigger. Result: the jet starts after a short delay.
4. Start with the fan setting and at least [30 cm] from the surface; move closer only if the surface is not damaged.

11.3 Stop

1. Release the trigger and engage the trigger lock.
2. Turn the switch to OFF and unplug.
3. Turn off the tap, then press the trigger to release the pressure.

Emergency stop: release the trigger and turn the switch to OFF.

12. Maintenance and cleaning

12.1 Maintenance schedule

12.2 Safety before maintenance

WARNING: Electric shock. Unplug the product and release the pressure before any cleaning or maintenance.

12.3 Clean the inlet filter

1. Unscrew the water inlet connector (2).
2. Pull out the filter and rinse it under running water.
3. Refit the filter and the connector; tighten by hand only.

13. Troubleshooting

14. Decommissioning and disposal

14.1 Decommissioning

1. Unplug the product and disconnect the water supply.
2. Press the trigger to drain remaining water.
3. Run the motor for no more than [5] seconds without water to clear the pump, then switch off.
4. Remove and empty the detergent tank.

14.2 Disposal

[Show the separate-collection symbol if it applies.] Do not dispose of the product with household waste. Take it to a collection point for electrical and electronic equipment as required in your country, and dispose of detergent residues according to the detergent's safety data sheet. [Add battery removal instructions if the product contains a battery.]

15. Service, spare parts and contact

16. Glossary and references

16.1 Glossary

16.2 References

• IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2019, Edition 2.0, Preparation of information for use (instructions for use) of products: Part 1: Principles and general requirements, published 2019-05-16. Official text: IEC (co-published with ISO and IEEE), purchase or licensed access: https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/29075 (ISO catalogue: https://www.iso.org/standard/71620.html).
• Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 on machinery, applies from 20 January 2027: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1230/oj and the Commission machinery page, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/mechanical-engineering/machinery_en.
• Regulation (EU) 2023/988, General Product Safety Regulation: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/988/oj.
• Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, SI 2008/1597: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1597.
• ANSI Z535.6-2023, Product Safety Information in Product Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Materials. Official text: NEMA, purchase or licensed access: https://www.nema.org/standards/view/american-national-standard-for-product-safety-information-in-product-manuals-instructions-and-other-collateral-materials.
• Related templates: docs/user-manual, docs/installation-guide, docs/troubleshooting, docs/localization-brief, docs/termbase, docs/docs-review-checklist, docs/documentation-acquisition-spec.

16.3 Map to IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2019

The 2019 edition is organised into clauses on fulfilling its requirements, principles (clause 5), the information management process (clause 6), content (clause 7), structure (clause 8), media and format (clause 9) and professional competencies (clause 10). Check the clause numbers against your licensed copy.

Standard and licence note

Structure aligned with IEC/IEEE 82079-1:2019 (Edition 2.0), Preparation of information for use (instructions for use) of products: Part 1: Principles and general requirements, using only its title, edition, publicly listed clause topics and published abstract. This template is original text written for this collection and reproduces no wording, tables or definitions from the standard. Official text: IEC, purchase or licensed access: https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/29075. The IEC webstore gives a stability date of 2026 for this edition, so a revised edition may follow; check the webstore for the current edition, and check the current official text of every law named in section 2, which are dated examples only. This is not legal or safety-engineering advice. Template licence: MIT.