Comments on: Ask STC-Montreal: About Disassembly Documentation http://stc-montreal.org/en/2009/01/21/disassembly-documentation/ The source for technical communicators in Montreal Mon, 14 May 2012 21:23:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Andy Gural http://stc-montreal.org/en/2009/01/21/disassembly-documentation/comment-page-1/#comment-527 Andy Gural Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:31:22 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=302#comment-527 Taking products apart can also involve instructions for packing for shipping. Depending on the size of the product, this can be a separate document, so it may be necessary to make room for it. This may involve in package and on package instructions. Taking products apart can also involve instructions for packing for shipping. Depending on the size of the product, this can be a separate document, so it may be necessary to make room for it. This may involve in package and on package instructions.

]]> By: Poppy Quintal http://stc-montreal.org/en/2009/01/21/disassembly-documentation/comment-page-1/#comment-520 Poppy Quintal Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:50:47 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=302#comment-520 Hi John David "It seems that the recycling laws in Europe require that clear disassembly instructions be included so that the devices can be safely disposed of." It is usually the case that when there are government requirements for specific types of documentation there are (or should be) clear guidelines or even specs one must follow. If at all possible, find out what they are and get your hands on a copy. Here are some possibilities: (Please note that I am not sure if any of this is what you need exactly or, even if it is, the links here are to the most current versions. I just did a cursory search for likely stuff based the EU reference in you query): http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:037:0024:0038:EN:PDF DIRECTIVE 2002/96/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/faq_weee.pdf FAQs Also look at this example: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/productdata/pdf/disassembly_server_200732316330.pdf This suggests that there may a specific form for this type of instructions, which would make your job much easier. You will have to do a bit of research to make sure you get it right, but it looks like there is information out there. You should be able to bill your client for the time required to do this as well unless he provides you with all the up-to-date supporting information. Good luck. Please let us know what you discover. Hi John David

“It seems that the recycling laws in Europe require that clear disassembly instructions be included so that the devices can be safely disposed of.”

It is usually the case that when there are government requirements for specific types of documentation there are (or should be) clear guidelines or even specs one must follow. If at all possible, find out what they are and get your hands on a copy.

Here are some possibilities:
(Please note that I am not sure if any of this is what you need exactly or, even if it is, the links here are to the most current versions. I just did a cursory search for likely stuff based the EU reference in you query):

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:037:0024:0038:EN:PDF
DIRECTIVE 2002/96/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/faq_weee.pdf
FAQs

Also look at this example: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/productdata/pdf/disassembly_server_200732316330.pdf

This suggests that there may a specific form for this type of instructions, which would make your job much easier.

You will have to do a bit of research to make sure you get it right, but it looks like there is information out there. You should be able to bill your client for the time required to do this as well unless he provides you with all the up-to-date supporting information. Good luck.

Please let us know what you discover.

]]> By: Patricia Boyle http://stc-montreal.org/en/2009/01/21/disassembly-documentation/comment-page-1/#comment-519 Patricia Boyle Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:40:50 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=302#comment-519 How to safely take a device apart (without a sledgehammer) *If it contains a laser device, you need a certified technician to take it apart. * Identifying what is recyclable and what is not Depends on the country. * How to dispose of toxic materials (like batteries) Again, local and country laws plus any agreements the manufacture has enacted. * What can be returned to the manufacturer Depends on manufacturer * What can be re-used or re-purposed Same anwser. Your first steps (besides the reverse assembly)should be: Contact manufacturer to obtain guidelines. Are there disposal laws pertinent to certain countries which apply to this hardware? Are there safety issues is this hardware is disassembled? How to safely take a device apart (without a sledgehammer)
*If it contains a laser device, you need a certified technician to take it apart.

* Identifying what is recyclable and what is not

Depends on the country.

* How to dispose of toxic materials (like batteries)

Again, local and country laws plus any agreements the manufacture has enacted.

* What can be returned to the manufacturer

Depends on manufacturer

* What can be re-used or re-purposed

Same anwser.

Your first steps (besides the reverse assembly)should be:

Contact manufacturer to obtain guidelines.
Are there disposal laws pertinent to certain countries which apply to this hardware?
Are there safety issues is this hardware is disassembled?

]]> By: Ev Larsen http://stc-montreal.org/en/2009/01/21/disassembly-documentation/comment-page-1/#comment-518 Ev Larsen Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:06:30 +0000 http://stc-montreal.org/en/?p=302#comment-518 Great question, JD. I don't have any links immediately at hand, but do want to suggest that you clarify with your client up front the difference between Notes, Cautions, and Warnings in the instructions. I've found no organizations in my diverse career that are clear on these distinctions. The hierarchy I try to use is: - Note: for informational purposes or extra emphasis; - Caution: (bold) action can cause damage to the product, component, equipment, or environment; - Warning: (bolder yet) action can cause health hazard or injury to humans. Your use of these will fit your own situation, of course. Great question, JD.

I don’t have any links immediately at hand, but do want to suggest that you clarify with your client up front the difference between Notes, Cautions, and Warnings in the instructions. I’ve found no organizations in my diverse career that are clear on these distinctions. The hierarchy I try to use is:
- Note: for informational purposes or extra emphasis;
- Caution: (bold) action can cause damage to the product, component, equipment, or environment;
- Warning: (bolder yet) action can cause health hazard or injury to humans.

Your use of these will fit your own situation, of course.

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