Drug and vaccine fridges free from ammonia danger

Recently, a health centre in Scotland was closed down and the Chemical Incidence Unit called when ammonia was detected leaking from a fridge

Labcold has launched a new drug and vaccine storage fridge ideal for use in doctors' surgeries and health centres.

What makes the Labcold Compact the fridge of choice is the fact that it uses a standard environmentally-friendly freon gas in a conventional compression fridge system.

This is unlike other comparable fridges that use the absorption process for cooling and contain the potentially hazardous gas, ammonia.

In 1998 and 2003, hazard notices on absorption system fridges were issued by the UK National Health Service (NHS) warning of a potential risk of ammonia leakage.

The notices stated that users must carefully and frequently check the pipework for signs of corrosion that could result in leakage.

Recently, a health centre in Scotland was closed down and the Chemical Incidence Unit called when ammonia was detected leaking from a fridge.

There have been several other similar occurrences and the fire services appear familiar with the problem.

In a new development, Labcold has incorporated the benefits of absorption fridges including small size and low cost into the Compact and now offers a new fridge that complies with Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain recommendations in its code of ethics.

It is a direct replacement for the ammonia-based fridges.

The Compact has a capacity of 35 litres and comes fully assembled and ready to use.

Temperature is displayed on a large, clear LCD and this integral monitoring and alarm system is securely mounted on the front door of the fridge.

The monitor displays the maximum and minimum temperatures measured over a time period to confirm that drugs or vaccines have been stored in line with the manufacturers' recommendations for efficacy.

Users are alerted to temperature excursions by an audible alarm.

The Compact is designed to work at 2-8C, and a lock is fitted to the door to prevent unauthorised access.

Its compact size (510x380x465mm) means it can fit easily where space is at a premium and an optional wall-mounting kit can be supplied.

Back to top