Drug manufacturers are deeply concerned about consumer safety, product quality, and FDA compliance. Inadequately controlled environments can lead to ineffective and spoiled medicines. It is therefore incredibly important that all pharmaceuticals are transported at a regulated temperature throughout their delivery. Temperature mapping is a vital part of verifying the efficiency of temperature controlled vans and is important for any businesses or organisation dealing with temperature sensitive products. Find out more about temperature mapping and why it is so important.
What is temperature mapping?
Temperature Mapping is the process of recording and mapping the temperature in a 3 dimensional space. It is the practice used to confirm that the whole space within a fridge compartment operates uniformly and consistently within a specified range. The process also establishes that the permanent temperature recording device represents the entire load.
Why is temperature mapping important for vehicles?
Temperature won’t be the same everywhere, even if it is in a small fridge, large cool room, freezer or warehouse and can vary by as much as 10°C from one location to another. Temperatures in the corners will most likely be different to the centre of the space being measured.
Temperature mapping will allow you to document any recorded hot and cold spots as well as identify the continuous monitoring positions required.
The LF&E process for temperature mapping
To ensure accurate temperature mapping our process includes:
- Random selection of vehicle at least twice a year
- In various temperature conditions throughout the year (hot & cold days, dry or wet)
- 2 data loggers are please in each compartment of the vehicles, in various positions (middle of boxes, in the evaporators air flow & high/low corners of the compartment). These loggers are then left in the vehicle throughout the normal working day (door opening are documented) then the data is downloaded & compared to the vehicles permanent temperature recorders.
- All recordings are retained on file
