Getting to grips with temperature mapping: Why is it important?
Getting to grips with temperature mapping: Why is it important?
Most, if not all, workplaces will have a set of rules and regulations in place. These include issues such as health and safety and other aspects like environmental conditions. Regardless of your industry, if you are a workplace that stores and distributes products, then you will need to ensure that the conditions you keep your product in are safe. One way that workplaces can achieve this is through the process of temperature mapping. Today, we will be discussing what it is and why it holds high importance.
What is temperature mapping?
Both temperature and humidity can affect the quality of a product. Think about it like this. If you stored milk in a refrigerator that is too warm, then it will go off quickly and bacteria will grow at a rapid rate. If stored above 40°F, milk will begin to develop signs of spoilage. You may notice it will start to smell sour and have a curdled consistency. This is just one small example of why temperature mapping is important.
The process of temperature mapping is to install data loggers that record temperature data for monitoring and analysis. Products that need temperature mapping are those that will become dangerous or unusable if kept in the wrong conditions. These data loggers can identify hot spots which allow you to know how the internal temperature is affected by climatic changes. This can help you better store your product going forward.
Is it a difficult process?
Although temperature mapping may sound like a complex process, it is actually not as complicated or time-consuming as you may think. Eupry can teach you the basics of temperature mapping exercises to help you get familiar with the equipment and the process. From setting up the equipment to collecting your first batch of mapping data, their experts are on hand to teach you everything you need to know so you can ensure that your goods are being kept in the correct storage conditions.
It is not a process that needs to happen every hour, so there is no need to overdo it. With a clear plan in place, you will be able to regularly temperature map when your processes require it and the duration between studies will differ between workplaces. Some storage spaces may require more temperature mapping studies than others.
Why is it important?
Temperature mapping surveys hold high importance because they can reveal valuable information regarding the dynamics and performance of your installation. This information will allow you to highlight and resolve any issues that may occur within your storage systems. As briefly mentioned, hot spots are identified which lets you know how the internal temperature is affected by climatic changes. It can be something as simple as the effect of door-openings. You will be able to identify a certain timeframe of how long you can keep your storage door open before it starts to have a negative effect on your products.
What does a temperature mapping study reveal?
Your temperature mapping study will reveal several different things. As briefly mentioned, it will show the effects of door openings along with any power outages that have occurred, anomalies in the chilling/heating system and effects of introducing goods, to name a few.
The results of a temperature mapping study will usually be presented in the form of a graph. Presenting the results on a graph is highly efficient as you are able to review the data clearly and compare it to new data when you conduct your next temperature mapping study. When it comes to carrying out temperate mapping you can do it on your own accord. However, there is the option to employ engineers to conduct it for you.
What devices can be mapped?
Temperature mapping can be carried out on multiple different devices. Some of the most common are refrigerators, incubators and freezers. However, it is also possible to map much larger areas such as warehouses and cold storage rooms. The devices that need to be mapped will come down to the nature of your business. For instance, some businesses may only need to conduct one temperature mapping study a year. However, this isn’t the case for every business, and some may need to conduct more frequent checks. It is always recommended that you speak to mapping professionals and engineers and ask for their input if you are unsure of what checks your business requires.
Summary
Though it may sound like a complex process, temperature mapping can be straightforward. It is a vital asset for specific businesses to have, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. The storage conditions of products should be placed of high importance in order to protect them and help to maintain their quality. Employing the use of companies like Eupry is always a good place to start if you need some professional and helpful advice.
