Cold storage & the temperature monitoring technology available

The term cold storage covers a wide range of areas from a single refrigerator to the entire cold chain. The ability to monitor and control temperature within these chilled areas is commonplace within businesses to ensure the safety of stock until use.

Due to the severity of damage resulting from insufficient temperature control for certain types of goods, strict temperature monitoring requirements are set by the government and federal agents to standardise a high level of safety throughout the food and medical industries.

The regulations are clearly set and readily available online, but typically cold storage areas are required to be maintained at below 8°C with proof of recordings up to 3 years old. We recommend you check your sector requirements online for more specific information.

The types of temperature monitoring technology available for cold storage

Often the temperature monitoring technology in use across different areas cannot easily feed into one centralised software, resulting in users piecing data together for auditing purposes.

While data loggers help to monitor out of hours, the data only shows a retrospective view of what’s happened overnight. The damage is already done.

Additionally, the amount of time spent downloading data is unnecessary thanks to modern technology. The ability to monitor these areas automatically and with instant alarms in real-time means that users can go about other duties until action is required (including out of working hours, if needed).

Wireless technology is completely flexible. Utilising long-range radio telemetry enables users to move and expand systems as and when business needs change and grow.

Temperature monitoring for:

·Standalone fridge/freezer monitoring

Typically used in retail environments such as restaurants, express stores, and pharmacies.
Solution: Notion Lite system – monitoring up to 10 or 30 fridges using one plug and play wireless temperature monitoring system. Find out more here.

·Warehousing/processing facilities

Usually including multiple refrigerated containers, cold rooms, and/or blast freezers.
Solution: Hanwell IceSpy system – monitoring a range of temperature measurements for all refrigeration types and ambient temperature and humidity for dry storage applications. Find out more here.

·Cold chain logistics

Small to medium distribution services monitoring between depots.
Solution:  Hanwell Transport system can wirelessly transmit data from refrigerated lorries to a depot base station automatically feeding to centralised database. Find out more here.

The ability to create a centralised monitoring system that collects data from all of the cold storage areas above means that users can benefit from gap-free data throughout the entire cold chain whilst also maintaining a clear record of data for auditing purposes.

Energy efficiency

Additional benefits to monitoring temperatures 24/7 using systems such as Hanwell, are that users can optimise conditions to reduce unnecessary wasted energy. Alternatively, energy products can be added to existing systems to monitor electricity, gas, and water.

Temperature Monitoring Advice

Contact us today to talk to us about your current monitoring methods and how you can implement comprehensive monitoring systems, such as Hanwell, to save time and money going forwards.

Relevant articles:

• Commercial refrigerator temperature monitoring – click here to read blog
• Asda saves energy using temperature system – click here to read case study
• Refrigeration temperature monitoring – why wireless is the only solution – read more
• Preventing a listeria outbreak – read more